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Governor Signs a Law Authored by an East Texas Lawmaker

Posted/updated on: May 27, 2017 at 4:02 pm
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AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — Governor Greg Abbott has visited a gun range to sign a law reducing Texas’ fees for licenses to carry handguns to the lowest in the nation. The bill, which was penned by State Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, drop from $140 to $40, the cost of first-time permits, and from $70 to $40 fees for 5-year-renewals. The governor then took target practice, as he often does after signing gun bills. The National Rifle Association said Texas’ gun carry fees are now America’s lowest.

It’ll cost Texas nearly $22 million in its 2018-2019 budget, despite the oil-price slump leaving the state up to $6 billion short of being able to maintain current spending levels. Still, supporters argued that Texas’ high, past fees made many people travel to other states to obtain cheaper licenses they could use back home.

Abbott, meanwhile, is drawing criticism for cracking a joke about reporters at the gun range. The San Antonio Express-News reported that when he was given his target sheet, Abbott joked he would carry it with him in case he sees any reporters. The quip came days after Montana Republican Greg Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault when he was accused of body-slamming a reporter the day before he was elected to Congress. Abbott’s joke drew a rebuke from the national gun control advocacy group Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which called it “dangerous and out of line.” Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



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