Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is drawing criticism for cracking a joke about reporters at a gun range.
Abbott took some target practice Friday, after signing a bill reducing fees for state handgun licenses. The San Antonio Express-News reported that when he was given his target sheet, Abbott joked, "I'm going to carry this around in case I see 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.
___
Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.