After Texas Scorecard raised the alarm that the state’s oldest gun-rights organization was omitting information regarding “constitutional carry” legislation from its members, the group is now reversing course.

Constitutional carry refers to removing the current licensing requirement for Texans to carry a handgun.

Although the issue was marked the top priority of the Republican Party of Texas by delegates at the state convention, the issue was notably absent from TSRA’s memo to members last week.

But in a new letter to members released today, the Texas State Rifle Association included constitutional carry, specifically HB 375 by State Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R–Bedford) in its list of pro-Second Amendment bills that have been filed in the Texas Legislature.

TSRA’s change of course should come as a pleasant and encouraging surprise to gun rights advocates who have been skeptical of the organization’s commitment to the passage of constitutional carry legislation.

Though merely mentioning the legislation is far from the level of advocacy that TSRA is capable of it’s a definite step in the right direction. As the session progresses the organization will have ample opportunities to prove or disprove critics’ claims about its commitment to protect Texas gun owners.

Meanwhile, conservative activists and gun rights activists should turn their attention to the remaining holdouts who have been silent including Texas GOP Chairman Tom Mechler who has repeatedly refused to speak publicly or respond to media inquiries concerning the issue.

Cary Cheshire

Cary Cheshire is the executive director of Texans for Strong Borders, a no-compromise non-profit dedicated to restoring security and sovereignty to the citizens of the Lone Star State. For more information visit StrongBorders.org.

RELATED POSTS