Video: Patrick Hopes for Fewer Barriers to Own Guns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called gun rights "an evolving issue" on national television Sunday morning, stating he hopes that one day all Americans can have a gun with minimal obstructions.

“I want to see a day when every American citizen can simply have a gun, does not have to go through a long ordeal or pay a high price. We’re going to address that in Texas, as well, because it’s the right of every individual under the Second Amendment,” he said on NBC’s "Meet the Press."

Moderator Chuck Todd asked the lieutenant governor why there is “any [regulation] standard on open carry,” to which Patrick answered, “Because it's been, Chuck, because it's been an evolving process in this country.”

Patrick further responded that the American public is moving toward acceptance of firearms in public life. He also brushed off a suggestion that guns in public places would create undue alarm.

"This is just propaganda by those who either don’t like guns, who are afraid of guns, which I respect — some people just don’t like them,” Patrick said. “But don’t stop us, who love guns, who love the Second Amendment from being able to protect ourselves, our family, our businesses and our friends.”

Patrick appeared on the program just days after Texas’ new open carry laws took effect on Friday, and he served as a counterpoint to Mark Kelly, a retired NASA astronaut and Navy combat veteran. Kelly is the husband of retired U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and both are leading gun control advocates.