The “God-given right” to self-defense has become a rallying cry in Texas politics, further cementing gun ownership as a holy cause and political identity. The state’s Republican leadership has spent decades carrying the banner.
Guns in Texas
Many Texans — and their elected leaders — are fiercely protective of the constitutional right to own guns. The state is a leader in firearm sales even though the rate of Texans who own guns has declined. While mass shootings repeatedly renew calls for some gun restrictions, Texas lawmakers have continuously made it easier to access guns. Meanwhile, the number of people who die from gunshots in Texas has reached a level not seen since the 1990s.
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Guns in Texas
Confronted with mass shootings, Texas Republicans have repeatedly loosened gun laws
Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders signaled an openness to some gun restrictions after recent mass shootings. But in the last several years, lawmakers have eased gun laws, most notably by passing a permitless carry bill last year.