One of the things that I hope we don’t see from our federal government is this knee-jerk reaction from Washington, D.C., when there is an event that occurs, that they come in and they think they know the answer.

Gov. Rick Perry, to a Tarrant County group after the Connecticut shootings, quoted in the Dallas Morning News

I've heard of people being killed playing ping-pong — ping-pongs are more dangerous than guns. Flat-screen TVs are injuring more kids today than anything.

Rep.-elect Kyle Kacal, R-College Station, in the Bryan Eagle

The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.

A spokesperson for the National Rifle Association in a statement addressing the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut

The moment I step back in to my country I will be assassinated — not by a cartel member, but by my own government.

Mexican asylum seeker Juan Fraire Escobedo, during a protest outside the office of the Mexican consulate in Austin

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Ramadan — whatever you all celebrate.

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, visiting the Texas Tribune offices