Texas Legislature Bucks NRA, Passes Gun Storage Safety Program

FILE -- In this Aug. 15, 2012 file photo, three variations of the AR-15 assault rifle are displayed at the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, Calif. While the guns look similar, the bottom version is ill... FILE -- In this Aug. 15, 2012 file photo, three variations of the AR-15 assault rifle are displayed at the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, Calif. While the guns look similar, the bottom version is illegal in California because of its quick reload capabilities. Omar Mateen used an AR-15 that he purchased legally when he killed 49 people in an Orlando nightclub over the weekend President Barack Obama and other gun control advocates have repeatedly called for reinstating a federal ban on semi-automatic assault weapons that expired in 2004, but have been thwarted by Republicans in Congress. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,file) MORE LESS
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The Republican-controlled Texas legislature on Sunday approved a budget bill that would allocate $1 million dollars to a gun storage public service campaign, a gun safety measure staunchly opposed by the National Rifle Association.

Though the proposal seemed unlikely to pass several weeks ago, the Associated Press reported Monday that lawmakers quietly slipped it into the spending bill during a session on Sunday night.

Gun safety proponents say that the campaign’s not just about preventing mass shootings, though the proposal did emerge after a teenager allegedly used his father’s guns to kill 10 people at Santa Fe High School in 2018. Advocates say it’s also meant to teach parents how to keep their firearms out of the hands of curious children who accidentally shoot themselves or others.

Now it’s up to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) whether to sign the measure. Abbott’s office did not respond to TPM’s request for comment.

Alice Tripp, the legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association, told the Associated Press that the group won’t ask Abbott for a veto, despite its opposition to the program.

“We don’t do that,” Tripp said. “Gov. Abbott does not need that kind of advice from us. We bring information to the table.”

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  1. …a gun storage public service campaign, a gun safety measure staunchly opposed by the National Rifle Association.

    This is a reflection of just how batshit crazy the NRA is. On what basis could even a wild-eyed, fringe Second Amendment loon possibly oppose this?

  2. Next thing you know, they’ll be allowing only short-horn cattle…

    Worlds are colliding…

  3. We bring information to the table.

    Important information, like blacklisting politicians who are not 2nd Amendment absolutists and supporting primary challenges against the apostates.

  4. If you store your guns in a locked cabinet, how will you ever be ready to take out the home invaders?

    “Excuse me, fellas, while I run upstairs to my gun cabinet, enter the 10-digit code, open the door, load my weapon…”

    Gun cabinets should be ILLEGAL! They are Un-American and violate the 2nd Amendment.

    Nobody’s gun should every be out of arm’s reach. Eat and drink only with your non-dominant hand so that your gun hand is always ready to pick up and start Defending Freedom.

    @misterneutron

  5. All Abbott has to do is sit tight… the bill will become law without his signature. 10 days (excluding Sundays) after passage to sign or veto – then 20 more days after the session ends and it becomes law.

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