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Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference on June 17 on firearm legislation from the 87th session. Governor Abbott was joined by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, Members of Texan Congress, Executive Vice President of NRA Wayne Lapierre, and Jack Wilson. He signed 7 bills SB 19, SB 20, SB 550, HB 1927, HB 2622, HB 1500, and HB 957.

 

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

Governor Greg Abbott

  • Farmers in South Texas need guns to protect themselves from people crossing the border, trespassing and cartels they encounter on a daily basis
  • Texas will not let the federal government take your guns
  • People need guns to protect themselves
  • Guns are a right that people have died to protect
  • This year Texas has passed 7 laws protecting gun laws, and last session they passed 10, a record
  • HB 1927 – Allows residents over 21 years old to carry a handgun without a permit
  • HB 2622 – Creates a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State” in Texas
  • SB 19 – Creates a prohibition on contracts with companies that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industry
  • HB 1500 – Makes firearms and ammunition sellers and manufacturers essential businesses
  • SB 550 – Permits a person to carry a gun in any type of holster
  • SB 20 – Allows hotel guests to have guns and ammunition in their rooms
  • HB 957 – Exempts suppressors made in Texas from federal regulations

 

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick

  • This is a day Travis, Bowie and Crockett would be proud of
  • We are a state where Texans can stand up and defend themselves
  • Thanks to Matt Shaeffer, Senators Shaeffer, Campbell, and Creighton, and the NRA on HB 1927
  • HB 1927 is a model for all other states

 

Speaker Dade Phelan

  • Thanked the house, senate and grass roots that helped this bill
  • Thanked NRA and other groups who

 

Wayne Lapierre, NRA

  • Thanked any and everyone who supported this bill
  • Freedom is one thing all Americans can agree on
  • In an increasingly dangerous world, people should be able to defend themselves and Texas is making it possible

 

Questions and Answers

 

Q: Did you choose San Antonio over Austin because of the shooting last weekend

  • Abbott – The location was chosen because of the Alamo’s significance to Texas
  • Abbott – Today, I signed documents that protect freedom in the Lone Star State, which is what the Alamo represents
  • Abbott – Addressing the shooting, I visited the family of the victim and they urged that a crime perpetrated by teenagers should not damage gun rights
  • Abbott – The victim’s family was also adamantly against policies that defund police
  • Abbott – Those that support 2nd Amendment rights support the right of every law-abiding American to have firearms, and this does not apply to the perpetrators of the shooting

 

Q: Lieutenant Governor Patrick, what about extending background checks?

  • Patrick – To his knowledge there wasn’t one
  • We want the people who want a gun to protect themselves to have one
  • NRA wrote the original bill behind background checks

 

Q: Any reason that the background check bill didn’t get passed?

  • Patrick – There was not a bill filed this session
  • Patrick – We want law abiding citizens to carry

 

Q: When will these bills go into effect?

  • Abbott – Bills had less than 2/3 vote
  • They go into effect September 1st, 2021

 

Q: Asked something about counties who are asking the state to protect them from illegals

  • Abbott – I have already declared disaster for 34 counties
  • Abbott – We will be taking a tougher stance and providing more resources to build the border wall in the Texas