AUSTIN, TX – MAY 24: Texas Governor Greg Abbott holds a roundtable discussion with victims, family, and friends affected by the Santa Fe, Texas school shooting at the state capital on May 24, 2018 in Austin, Texas. Representatives from Sutherland Springs, Alpine, and Killeen were also invited and address the governor. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A number of looser gun restrictions are taking effect in Texas as authorities investigate why a man fled a traffic stop and went on a shooting rampage, leaving at least seven people dead. Police eventually killed the shooter.

New laws easing firearm restrictions in Texas churches and increasing the number of armed teaches took effect Sunday. The measures were signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott this year following a legislative session that was applauded by the National Rifle Association.

Texas expanded gun rights following a 2017 mass shooting at a churchthat left more than two dozen dead and a 2018 mass shooting at high school that left 10 dead.

Abbott was scheduled to visit Odessa on Sunday. He met twice with lawmakers this past week in wake of a mass shooting Aug. 3 in the Texas border city of El Paso that left 22 dead. Abbott has remained noncommittal about new gun laws.