March 11, 2024
In the ongoing debate over Second Amendment rights in the United States, prominent gun control organizations like Giffords and Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Control have positioned themselves at the forefront of the movement as leaders for restricting the right to keep and bear arms.
These groups have taken a particular interest in states they perceive as having lax gun laws, advocating for comprehensive legislative changes that, from a pro-gun perspective, threaten the foundational principles of American liberty and self-defense.
Giffords’ recent assessment identifies states such as Wyoming, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Idaho, along with Texas — ranked 20th by Giffords —as having the “worst” gun laws due to their strong protections for gun rights (Texas was ranked 19th “worst” by Everytown, respectively.)
For pro-gun advocates, however, these states represent beacons of freedom and firearms liberty, exemplifying a commitment to upholding the freedoms enshrined in the Second Amendment.
And in the case of Texas, many pro-gun advocates believe Texas should be first when it comes to firearms freedom — not 19th or 20th.
But the legislative priorities proposed by Giffords in Texas, echoed by Bloomberg’s Everytown, underscore a broad agenda to reshape the landscape of gun ownership in the Lone Star State.
These priorities include the implementation of universal gun registration, under the guise of “universal” or “expanded” background checks. Such a system not only raises concerns about privacy and governmental overreach but also lays the groundwork for potential future confiscations, undermining the very essence of the right to keep and bear arms.
Furthermore, the advocacy for extreme risk protection orders, or red flag gun confiscation laws, has been met with significant resistance from pro-gun factions. These laws, which allow for the confiscation of firearms based on unverified allegations, are viewed as a direct violation of due process rights, stripping individuals of their constitutional protections based on mere suspicion.
The call for a ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “large-capacity” magazines represents another contentious issue. Proponents of gun control mischaracterize these firearms and accessories, branding them as inherently dangerous and without legitimate civilian use.
In reality, the term “assault weapon” is a nebulous and politically charged label often applied to a wide range of semi-automatic firearms, including many that are popular among law-abiding gun owners for sport, self-defense, and recreational shooting.
The push to ban these firearms and their standard-capacity magazines, which often hold more than ten rounds, include most 9mm handguns and threaten to encompass the majority of modern handguns and rifles, disregarding their prevalent and lawful use across the country.
Additional legislative goals outlined by Giffords and Everytown include the implementation of waiting periods for firearm purchases, the repeal of Constitutional Carry, and requiring a permit to purchase or possess a firearm.
Each of these measures introduces significant barriers to exercising Second Amendment rights, treating law-abiding citizens as potential criminals and impeding their ability to protect themselves and their families in a timely manner.
Bloomberg’s Everytown takes an even more aggressive stance, advocating for the same priorities as Giffords, but also includes the repeal of Texas’ “Stand Your Ground” and Campus Carry laws.
Everytown is also seeking to undermine recent school security bills that passed in the Texas legislature by disarming teachers in public schools. Worse, they are calling for legislation that would penalize individuals for firearms stolen from them, coupled with a proposal for mandatory firearms storage laws that demand gun owners store their firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition — a requirement that could prove fatal in many home invasion and self-defense scenarios.
This overarching strategy seeks not only to regulate the tools of self-defense but to reshape the culture of gun ownership in America, casting it in a negative and dangerous light.
The narrative pushed by these gun control groups, particularly in the wake of mass shootings that often take place in “gun free” zones, overlooks critical data and the complex nature of crime in America.
For instance, FBI crime statistics reveal that rifles, including those vilified by the left like the AR-15, are used in a fraction of homicides compared to other means such as handguns, knives, or even hands and fists.
This statistical reality underscores the fallacy of targeting specific firearm types as a solution to violence, ignoring the broader societal issues that contribute to criminal behavior.
Joe Biden’s recent directive to the ATF, aimed at expanding the definition of a dealer in firearms to include private sellers, represents a significant escalation in the push for universal gun registration.
By attempting to regulate all firearm transactions through governmental approval, the administration sets the stage for a comprehensive database of gun owners, a precursor to potential confiscation efforts, especially in the context of any future semi-automatic firearm bans.
Of course, Everytown and Giffords isn’t holding their breath waiting for the Federal Government to pass extreme gun control.
Giffords is backing four candidates running for public office in Texas, including Colin Allred who is challenging the pro-gun U.S. Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz.
Everytown is going further by backing 11 candidates for Texas offices, targeting mostly state legislative races. In Texas, Democrats only need to maintain their current seats and pick up 10 seats to take majority control of the State House.
Between Everytown and Giffords’ meddling in the Texas elections, coupled with the creation of Texas Majority PAC — a newly formed group run by former Beto O’Rourke presidential campaign staffers — it seems the anti-gun Left are not giving up on attacking Texas’ gun laws. Worse, Texas Majority PAC has raised $2.1 million from notoriously anti-gun George Soros and his affiliated “Democracy PAC” — and have spent over $1.5 million of it on the 2024 election cycle so far.
That’s why Texas Gun Rights has been at the forefront of championing the Second Amendment during this year’s Republican primary and runoff elections, solidifying gun rights as a paramount concern.
By diligently working to ensure that the anti-gun actions of politicians are exposed, TXGR aims to maintain the momentum of the pro-gun agenda heading into the November elections. This strategic focus is critical in positioning Texans to effectively counteract Biden and the gun control machine’s relentless anti-gun measures.
As the political landscape heats up, TXGR’s efforts are vital in safeguarding Texans’ right to bear arms and standing firm against any encroachments on their constitutional freedoms.
But as the debate over gun control continues to unfold, the fundamental question remains: will America uphold the Second Amendment rights of its citizens, or will it succumb to a narrative that seeks to disarm the populace under the guise of safety?
For pro-gun Americans, the answer is clear: the right to keep and bear arms is non-negotiable, and they stand ready to defend it against any and all encroachments.
Will you stand with Texas Gun Rights in 2024?
