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The Honorable Richard “Rick” Perry
Governor of Texas
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Re: Gun Rights Bills and the Special Session

Dear Governor Perry:

As a native Texan, gun owner, and CHL holder I wish to thank you for your service to the state of Texas and especially for all you have done to advance the rights of gun-owners. Recently, NRA board member Charles L. Cotton posted an open letter to you regarding some of the pro-gun legislation that failed to pass during the regular session. I have reviewed a copy of his letter, and I am writing you to express my concurrence with Mr. Cotton and my support for the issues laid out in his letter. Specifically, I wish to join with in him in requesting that you call a special session to address the following issues: comprehensive campus carry (formerly HB 972), the posting of unenforceable 30.06 signs (HB 508), the reduction of places off-limits to CHL's (HB 3218), and open carry (HB 700).

I believe that we stand at a critical juncture in Texas with regards to firearms rights. I am a native of Copperas Cove. Growing up, my family attended church with Mr. and Mrs. Al Gratia and Dr. Suzanna Gratia Hupp. I vividly recall the tragic shooting at Luby’s and Dr. Gratia Hupp’s subsequent efforts to bring about concealed carry in Texas. The 1995 passage of the first shall-issue CHL laws in Texas bucked a national trend of restricting the rights of lawful gun owners after tragic shootings. In this, the Texas Legislature showed great foresight. Violent crime in Texas has dropped, Texans have steadily increased their rights to self defense, and Texas CHL holders have proven themselves to be among the most law-abiding citizens of our great state. At a time when many in our nation are again attempting to respond to tragedies by restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens to defend ourselves, it is time for Texas to lead the way and show the rest of the nation what we have been learning since 1995: increased firearms rights decrease crime and make our citizens safer.
As Governor, you have done an outstanding job in promoting the pro-business, low regulatory environment that you have fostered in Texas. Companies flock to Texas because they have the opportunity to nurture and grow their business, free from most government intrusion in their lives. Consideration and passage of the bills above would send much the same message to families and individuals: Come to Texas! Raise your families as you see fit! Be free to protect your children, nurture them, and watch them succeed!

I would like to thank you for all that you have done for the State of Texas and the rights of our citizens. I love my home state, and I believe that we are one of the last best examples of what our Founders wanted states to be when they wrote the U.S. Constitution. I have been proudly serving our State and Nation as a member of the Texas Army National Guard for 14 years, with the last 10 being part of the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) force. I will be a father for the first time in August, and I look forward to raising my daughter in the freedom and prosperity that you have helped foster. Please continue to fight for increased freedom and personal responsibility, and please direct the Texas Legislature to take up the firearms bills HB 972, HB 508, HB 3218, and HB 700.