Republican state Rep. Tony Dale is concerned that Texas’ lax gun laws could allow Syrian refugees to launch terror attacks on American soil.
In a two-page letter sent to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on Monday, Dale asked state officials to reject the resettlement of more Syrian refugees within the Lone Star State’s borders after Friday’s terror attacks in Paris. He argued that immigration documents granted to refugees would allow them to obtain Texas drivers’ licenses, which in turn would allow them to procure firearms.
“While the Paris attackers used suicide vests and grenades it is clear that firearms also killed a large number of innocent victims,” Dale wrote. “Can you imagine a scenario were [sic] a refugees [sic] is admitted to the United States, is provided federal cash payments and other assistance, obtains a drivers license and purchases a weapon and executes an attack?”
There is no waiting period to purchase a gun in Texas, which has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the country. Starting in January, Texans will be able to openly carry handguns as well.
Dale also wrote that he was concerned recently arrived refugees could get jobs working at Texas airports and plant explosives on planes. He pointed to the recent bombing of a Russian charter jet over Egypt that has been attributed to the Islamic State terror group.
Dale is hardly the only Texas lawmaker opposed to resettling refugees from Syria. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) already sent a letter to President Obama saying he would not accept any Syrian refugees in his state after the Paris attacks.
Read Dale’s letter below in full:
