Suzanna Hupp

Suzanna Gratia Hupp (born September 28, 1959) is a former Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, who represented the 54th district from 1997 to 2007. Hupp is known nationally as a leading advocate for Second Amendment rights, particularly regarding the right to carry concealed weapons. Her advocacy is rooted in her personal experience of the Luby's shooting in Killeen, Texas, on October 16, 1991, where she survived but tragically lost her parents.

Early Life and Education

Suzanna Gratia was born in Friendswood, Texas, and grew up in a family that valued self-reliance and the importance of the Second Amendment. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a degree in Chiropractic medicine.

Luby's Massacre

The turning point in Hupp's life came on October 16, 1991, when she and her parents were dining at a Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas. A gunman crashed his vehicle through the restaurant's window and began shooting at the patrons. Hupp had a handgun in her car but was not carrying it with her due to Texas's laws at the time, which forbade carrying concealed weapons. Her parents were among the 23 people killed in the massacre. Hupp emerged as a survivor and a witness, testifying before state and federal legislative committees in favor of laws that would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons.

Political Career

Motivated by the tragedy, Hupp ran for office and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1996. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the passage of several key pieces of legislation related to gun rights, including the landmark 1995 law that allowed Texans to carry concealed weapons with a permit. Hupp served five terms in the House, choosing not to seek re-election in 2006.

Advocacy and Legacy

After leaving office, Hupp continued her advocacy for gun rights, speaking at events across the country and appearing on various media platforms to discuss the importance of the Second Amendment and self-defense rights. She has been featured in several documentaries and books on the subject of gun control and the Second Amendment.

Hupp's advocacy work has made her a respected figure among Second Amendment supporters, and she remains an influential voice in the ongoing debate over gun control and rights in the United States.

See Also

• Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
• Gun politics in the United States
• Concealed carry in the United States