Texas gun owners have scored a major victory, successfully stopping Senator John Cornyn from becoming the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, thanks to the tireless efforts of grassroots activists and the unwavering support of Texas Gun Rights (TXGR) members.

Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights, left no ambiguity about Cornyn’s record, telling the Houston Chronicle, “John Cornyn is not just the wrong choice; he’s the worst choice!”

Gun owners fiercely opposed Cornyn’s candidacy due to his role in advancing some of the most restrictive gun control measures in decades. In 2022, Cornyn worked hand-in-hand with President Joe Biden to secure votes for what became the “most expansive gun control in 30 years.” 

The legislation, which was part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, provided funding for “red flag” gun confiscation laws, expanded the flawed NICS Gun Ban Registry, and empowered the ATF to continue its attacks on law-abiding gun owners.

Cornyn’s anti-gun track record extends further. In 2018, he played a pivotal role in the passage of the disastrous FIX-NICS Act, which stripped countless Americans of their Second Amendment rights by broadening the scope of the NICS database. “Cornyn has consistently been one of the most dangerous Republican voices against our Second Amendment-protected rights in Washington,” McNutt said.

Gun owners across Texas rallied against Cornyn’s bid, with TXGR mobilizing over 15,000 phone calls and emails into the offices of both Senator Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz. The grassroots effort made it clear that Cornyn’s anti-gun legacy would not be rewarded with a leadership position in the Senate.

Ultimately, the Senate elected South Dakota Senator John Thune as Majority Leader, sidelining Cornyn’s ambitions. While Thune’s record on guns is not without its flaws, McNutt noted that “Cornyn was worse. Much worse.”

This victory serves as a powerful reminder to gun owners that vigilance is key. “The Senate Majority Leader race is a stark reminder that gun owners must remain vigilant because the establishment ‘Uniparty’ would love nothing more than to push gun rights aside or, worse yet, to attack them,” McNutt warned.

With the Texas legislative session set to begin in January and bill filing already underway, TXGR is also gearing up to ensure that the Second Amendment remains front and center in Austin. The organization is planning multiple gun owner lobby days at the state capitol, complete with chartered buses, to demonstrate Texans’ unwavering demand for action on gun rights.