Governor Abbott loosened gun laws in 2021

Beto takes on Abbott at press conference
Image Credit
AP
A list of ways Greg Abbott made it easier to get a gun last year.

Gov. Abbott may appear to show remorse over the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, but is he willing to do anything about it? Based on past performance, the answer is no.

In 2021, during the first meeting of the Texas Legislature since the El Paso and Odessa shootings, Greg Abbott went back on his word and signed laws making it easier to get a gun. According to Houston Public Media, those laws include:

  • Permitless carry, which allows for the carrying of a gun without a license, background check, or training.
  • A measure that prohibits state agencies and localities from enforcing federal gun rules (not even sure if this one is legal under the Supremacy Clause).
  • A law exempting silencers that are made in Texas and stay in Texas from federal laws and regulations.
  • A bill allowing foster homes to store guns and ammunition together, rather than separately. 
  • A measure removing the requirement that a gun be held in a shoulder or belt holster.
  • A bill to allow hotel guests to keep firearms and ammunition in their rooms. 
  • A law banning the government from working with contractors who “discriminate against the firearm or ammunition” industries. WTH?

One thing is clear, Republicans like Greg Abbott are not going to change and they are certainly not going to change the laws. The only way to change the laws and keep our kids safe is to change the people in power.