Politicsrick-perry-texastexas concealed carryElections 2016

Rick Perry Not A Big Fan Of Openly Carrying Guns

Rick Perry Not A Big Fan Of Openly Carrying Guns
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Washington Bureau Chief, HuffPost

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WASHINGTON -- Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said Thursday he was skeptical of open carry gun laws, as conservatives in his home state are attempting to push such measures through the legislature.

Texas currently allows gun owners to carry rifles and shotguns in the open, but not handguns. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said he believes there is a "high probability" that an open carry bill will pass this session.

In an interview with the The Texas Tribune and The Washington Post, Perry said he was "not necessarily all that fond of this open carry concept." His concerns, however, seemed to be more practical than philosophical.

“I don't want the bad guys to know if I'm carrying," he said. "I don't want to be the first person shot if something's going down.”

A Perry spokesman didn't immediately return a request for clarification on whether Perry would sign open carry legislation if he were still governor.

In his interview Thursday, Perry also said gun owners should be "appropriately backgrounded, appropriately vetted, appropriately trained."

"We license people to drive on our highways,” he said. “We give them that privilege. The same is true with our concealed handguns.”

Last year, Perry actually had his concealed carry privileges taken away when he was indicted on charges that he abused his authority to pressure the Travis County district attorney's public corruption division. The case continues to hang above Perry's head as he contemplates running for president in 2016.

If someone is indicted for a felony, the state of Texas will suspend that person's concealed carry license during the indictment period.

The push to legalize open carry in Texas faced a bit of a crisis this week after a prominent open carry advocate in the state posted a video in which he seemed to threaten lawmakers, warning that restricting Second Amendment rights is essentially "treason" and therefore "punishable by death."

The video by Kory Watkins, who heads Open Carry Tarrant County, was quickly condemned, even by those pushing for open carry laws. Watkins took the video down and tried to control some of the damage by arguing, "Let me make it clear and unequivocal: I was not talking about hurting legislators, or anyone else. I am an advocate of peaceful non-cooperation.”

This week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) fast-tracked two open carry bills. According to The Houston Chronicle, "While several open carry bills have been filed this session, lawmakers appear to be leaning toward licensed open carry rather than so-called 'constitutional carry,' in which no permit is required."

On Thursday, Abbott said that even after Watkins' problematic comments, "the votes probably are there for open carry." He previously said he would sign such legislation if it reaches him.

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Before You Go

Rick Perry's Gaffes
"Oops"(01 of10)
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At the CNBC debate on November 9, Perry famously forgot one of the government agencies he would eliminate if elected:
"It's three government agencies when I get there that are gone: Commerce, Education and the um, what's the third one there. Let's see," Perry said. He turned to Texas Rep. Ron Paul, looking for some help, but got nothing but a remark from Paul that he would eliminate five agencies."Oh five," Perry said. "So Commerce, Education, and, uh, the uh, um, um.""EPA?" offered former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney."EPA, there ya go," Perry said as the room exploded in laughter.CNBC moderator John Harwood honed in and pressed Perry: "Seriously? Is EPA the one you were talking about?""No sir. No sir. We were talking about the, um, agencies of government," Perry said. "The EPA needs to be rebuilt.""But you can't name the third one?" Harwood persisted."The third agency of government," Perry said. "I would do away with the education, the um, Commerce, and let's see. I can't think of the third one. I can't. Sorry. Oops."
 (credit:AP)
Voting Age Flub(02 of10)
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During a campaign stop at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, Perry got both the voting age and the date of the 2012 presidential election wrong. "Those of you that will be 21 by November the 12th, I ask for your support and your vote," he said to the students. The legal voting age has been 18 since the 26th Amendment was adopted in 1971. The general election is scheduled for November 6, 2012. (credit:Getty Images)
New Hampshire... Caucus?(03 of10)
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During a November interview with Fox News, Perry mistakenly referred to the New Hampshire "caucuses." When asked about the emergence of front runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, Perry responded, "Americans haven't decided yet at all who they want to lead the Republican nomination, and we're going to be talking about that and we're going to be talking about it in harsh and strong terms over the course of the next four to five weeks as we get ready for those New Hampshire caucuses." New Hampshire holds primaries, not caucuses. (credit:Getty Images)
Minimum Age To Run For President(04 of10)
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While speaking to Catcher Jones, a seven-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina in December, Perry flubbed the minimum age to run for president. "I'm glad you're not 21," Perry told Jones, who was wearing a t-shirt that said "Future President: Accepting Campaign Donations Now." Perry realized his mistake and added, "Or actually 35." (credit:AP)
War With Iran(05 of10)
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After a woman in South Carolina asked Perry what he thought about current United States military operations, Perry mistakenly started talking about the wars in Afghanistan and Iran. When an audience member alerted Perry to his error, he joked that his comment "will be on the front page." (credit:AP)
Revolutionary War(06 of10)
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Following a debate in New Hampshire, Perry met with fraternity brothers at Dartmouth College. When someone asked him about the issue of states' rights, Perry said that one of the "reasons we fought the revolution in the 16th century was to get away from that kind of onerous crown." The Revolutionary War occurred in the 18th century. (credit:Getty Images)
Decade Mix-Up(07 of10)
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In an interview with CNN last year, Perry got stuck in a time warp. "Washington has abused the Constitution. You go back to the, a decade ago, with Woodrow Wilson..." Wilson was president from 1913 to 1921. (credit:Getty Images)
Bizarre Campaign Speech(08 of10)
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In October, an unusual performance at a speech in Manchester led many to question the candidate's sobriety. Perry later made a statement to dispel rumors that he was drinking or using painkillers during the speech. (credit:AP)
Bush Was Good At "Defending Us From Freedom"(09 of10)
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During an interview with the Today Show last November, Perry told host Meredith Viera that "Bush did an incredible job, in the presidency, defending us from freedom." (credit:AP)
"Montomayor" (10 of10)
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While speaking with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register, Perry struggled to remember Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's name:
"Do you really think he [President Barack Obama] is waging a war on religion?" asked an editorial board member, referring to Perry's recent ad pledging to "end Obama's war on religion" and "fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage" as president."I do because when you see his appointment of two -- from my perspective, inarguably -- activist judges, whether it was," he said, then trailing off for about six seconds trying to recall her name. "Montomayor," he said. Someone on the editorial board said Sotomayor's name. "Sotomayor and [Elena] Kagan, who are both activist judges," he continued.
 (credit:AP)
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