With the election less than a month away, Texas voters continue to push for gubernatorial candidates Gov. Greg Abbott and Robert “Beto” O’Rourke to be open about their position on issues facing the state.
One of these hot topics is the Second Amendment.
In light of the tragic shooting at a Uvalde elementary school earlier this year, Democrats have pressed harder for gun control.
Meanwhile, the majority of Republican voters in Texas believe gun laws should either be made less strict or left as they are currently.
Last year, Abbott signed seven bills into law expanding Second Amendment freedom, including a constitutional carry bill to remove the requirement for adults 21 and up to obtain a license to carry a handgun.
Following the Uvalde shooting, Democrat protestors pushed for the legal age to purchase firearms to be raised from 18 to 21 years old. Abbott has said that doing so would deny Texans a constitutional right and that age is not what constitutes someone’s ability to commit such a horrific act; therefore, lowering the minimum age will not have the effect that gun-control activists claim it will.
“If you’re looking for a real solution, Chicago teaches that what you’re talking about is not a real solution,” Abbott said at a press conference.
On the other hand, Abbott’s opponent Beto O’Rourke has long been a proponent of gun restrictions and control.
In fact, in O’Rourke made his stance on gun control clear in his failed 2020 presidential campaign. “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,” O’Rourke infamously said during a presidential debate.
He even went as far as to lay out his plan for regulating firearm and ammo purchase during his presidential campaign:
Banks and credit card companies must:
1. Refuse to take part in the sale of assault weapons.
2. Stop processing transactions for gun sales online & at gun shows without background checks.
3. Stop doing business with gun & ammo manufacturers who produce or sell assault weapons.
However, during his campaign for governor, O’Rourke tried to distance himself from his strong anti-gun stance and attempted to appease the Republican voter masses.
“I’m not interested in taking anything from anyone,” O’Rourke claimed. “What I want to make sure that we do is defend the Second Amendment.”
After the Uvalde shooting, however, O’Rourke backtracked again.
“My position on this is consistent, and I know that not everyone here is gonna agree with me. … I don’t think any civilian should own an AR-15 or AK-47,” said O’Rourke.
Following that statement, O’Rourke tweeted his support for red-flag gun confiscation laws.
Red flag laws will save lives.
Most Texans support them, but Greg Abbott won’t act.
Let's vote him out and keep our kids safe.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) July 17, 2022
In response to O’Rourke’s claim, one citizen challenged him, saying, “Most Texans? I’d like to see that poll, please.”
Earlier this week, O’Rourke attacked Gov. Abbott’s stance on gun violence in a tweet.
Abbott's response to gun violence becoming the leading cause of death for kids in Texas? Inaction.
His response to us leading in the number of school shootings? Inaction.
His response in the 20 weeks since Uvalde? Inaction.
Our response? Defeating him and keeping kids safe.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) October 11, 2022
The midterm election will take place on November 8.
