Uvalde parents and advocates will rally in Austin to up the age for AR-15 purchases

A March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C., on June 11. The youth-led gun safety advocacy group is teaming up with parents from Uvalde, Texas, to demand that Gov. Greg Abbott hold a special session so that state lawmakers can vote on whether to raise the minimum age for purchasing an AR-15-style rifle from 18 to 21. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Thousands are expected to gather in Austin, Texas, on Saturday to demand that Gov. Greg Abbott act to prevent further loss of life in the state. About a dozen parents and family members who lost loved ones in the Uvalde school shooting in May will address the crowd from the Texas Capitol steps.

With schools across Texas having already welcomed students back into the classroom, gun safety advocates are calling for the governor to hold a special session so state lawmakers can vote on whether to raise the minimum age for purchasing AR-15-style rifles from 18 to 21.