Governor’s gun quip seen as no laughing matter
Texas Governor Greg Abbott joked about shooting journalists while visiting a gun range yesterday to sign a bill lowering the cost of a handgun licence, drawing criticism from gun safety and free press advocates, who called his remarks ‘‘dangerous’’.
The Republican governor signed the bill at an indoor gun range in the state capital, Austin, then demonstrated his own shooting skills at an upstairs firing gallery before holding up his bulletpocked target and quipping: ‘‘I’m gonna carry this around in case I see any reporters.’’ Three rounds had pierced the bullseye circle.
His comment drew sharp rebukes from Reporters Without Borders, headquartered in Paris, and the Washington-based Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Both said the incident was especially troubling, as it came amid increasingly hostile rhetoric directed against the news media by Republican President Donald Trump and his supporters.
‘‘This joke was dangerous and out of line. Because it’s never just a joke to some,’’ Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said. ‘‘Words matter.
‘‘In a state and country where dangerous people can still so easily buy guns without a background check, leaders of every political stripe should be careful not to green light violence on their behalf.’’
The two groups also cited the misdemeanour assault charge filed this week against Republican Congressman-elect Greg Gianforte of Montana. He is accused of body-slamming a reporter who asked him about healthcare on the eve of his election.
‘‘Politicians must condemn this dangerous rhetoric against reporters, as it can quickly escalate to physical violence like we saw in Montana,’’ Reporters Without Borders said.
The group’s latest annual World Press Freedom Index of 180 countries ranks the United States 43rd, one rung below the tiny West African nation of Burkino Faso.
‘‘We’re really seeing just how much America deserves that ranking right now,’’ said Margaux Ewen, the organisation’s US advocacy director.
Abbott’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
The bill he signed will cut fees for a first-time licence to carry a handgun from US$140 to US$40, and lower the renewal fee from US$70 to US$40, starting in September. It also waives the fees for police officers and members of the military.
‘‘No law-abiding Texan should be priced out of the ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights,’’ Abbott said when signing the measure.