The temporary platform subcommittee on constitutional issues at the Republican Party of Texas’ convention has approved suggested language for the party’s platform condemning two major parts of Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent gun safety proposal.
The proposed plank specifically articulates opposition to gun storage requirements as well as “red flag” laws:
We oppose monitoring programs including the Red Flag (that would deprive someone of their right to keep and bear arms without being convicted of a crime or found mentally incompetent by a medical psychiatric professional) or iWatch proposals and any program that causes gun owners to be investigated by law enforcement or appear before a judge when there is no reasonable cause of a crime committed. We oppose increased background checks as they are highly prone to “false positives” and hinder law-abiding citizens’ ability to defend themselves than to reduce crime.
We oppose mandates on personal firearms storage, maintaining that it is the responsibility of an individual to safely store his firearms and choose responsibly when and how to make them available to minors.
Shortly after rolling out his proposal, a coalition of grassroots groups and gun rights organizations spoke out against Abbott’s proposed de-facto gun storage requirements, as well as the “red flag” provisions which would allow courts to confiscate guns without notice or a hearing.
Such legislation was championed by House Democrats shortly after Abbott’s announcement and appears to mirror a proposal by New York Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Abbott has continued to refuse to clarify or comment on his proposal since announcing them late last month.
The suggested platform language must now be approved by the full platform committee and, later this week, the entire convention body.
Texas Scorecard is on-site in San Antonio and will continue to report on updates as the convention continues through the week.
