Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has had to scramble this week to stay ahead of the state’s gun politics. (Photo: Dallas Morning News)
Guns dot com
Within a 48-hour period, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick first said the time wasn’t right for gun reform legislation then praised a campus carry measure while backpedaling to explain his comments.
The confusion began Tuesday when Patrick, who made promises during his election campaign to support a pro-gun agenda, told local media that the state legislature, which began its session earlier this month, had priorities other than passing bills to expand open carry rights in the Lone Star State.
“Second Amendment rights are very important, but open carry has not reached the level of being prioritized at this point,” Patrick said during a Texas Tribune event. “I don’t think the votes are there.”
Within hours, gun control advocates such as the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, who urged members to contact Patrick with notes of support, celebrated his comments.
