The Brief: NRA — We Don't Need to Be Victims of Friendly Fire

by John Reynolds
June 3, 2014

The Big Conversation

As some open-carry activists look to take their long-gun-brandishing demonstrations outside the state GOP convention in Fort Worth, the movement's efforts are catching criticism from a pair of unlikely sources — the nation's largest gun-rights group and a state legislator who has pushed open-carry legislation.

The National Rifle Association provoked headlines Monday after its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action, posted on Friday an item on its website taking to task the Texas open-carry activists for hurting the cause of gun rights through their demonstrations, which have involved, among other things, toting long guns into chain restaurants like Chipotle and Chili's.

"Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners," the NRA wrote. "That's not the Texas way. And that's certainly not the NRA way."

Meanwhile, state Rep. George Lavender, R-Texarkana, was joined on Monday by Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson in saying that future activity by open-carry demonstrators could hurt the chances of open-carry legislation next legislative session. “I have told the groups that I have talked to not to do this right now. This could be harmful in getting it passed,” Lavender told the San Antonio Express-News' David Saleh Rauf and Lauren McGaughy.

Meanwhile, Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri clarified that open-carry demonstrators would not be able to bring their weapons inside the convention center during his party's state convention later this week. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Anna Tinsley reported that Munisteri issued a statement saying that “anyone carrying an openly exposed weapon will be asked to do so outside of the building.”






Tinsley added that some open-carry supporters still intend to try to bring black powder guns inside, claiming that they are not considered firearms under Texas law.


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