Governor Greg Abbott makes joke about reporters at shooting range

Gov. Greg Abbott holds up the target he had just fired at Friday after signing a bill that will reduce the cost of gun licenses. Surrounded by reporters and cameras, Abbott then joked, "Im going to carry this around in case I see any reporters." The media there laughed but when it went out on social media, there was immediate adverse reaction. less Gov. Greg Abbott holds up the target he had just fired at Friday after signing a bill that will reduce the cost of gun licenses. Surrounded by reporters and cameras, Abbott then joked, "Im going to carry this ... more Photo: Peggy Fikac / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Peggy Fikac / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Governor Greg Abbott makes joke about reporters at shooting range 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott’s visit to a shooting range to sign a bill into law got big attention when he took some target practice and made a crack about journalists.

“I’m going to carry this around in case I see any reporters,” Abbott said with a grin as he joked with journalists covering the event, after he was given his target sheet.

There was little attention paid to the remark at The Range in South Austin, where Abbott posed for a photograph.

But when a Texas Tribune reporter tweeted the remark with a photo of Abbott, it was widely picked up on social media and the Huffington Post posted a story touted by, “Shoot for Brains! Texas governor jokes about gunning down reporters.”

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The reaction was enhanced since Abbott's quip occurred after Republican Greg Gianforte of Montana was charged with misdemeanor assault when he was accused of body-slamming a reporter. That didn't prevent Gianforte from being elected to Congress.

Abbott was at the shooting range to sign into law a bill that reduces the fee for a license to carry a handgun.

Senate Bill 16 will lower the first-time fee from $140 to $40, and the renewal fee from $70 to $40. It will waive the fee for peace officers and members of Texas military forces.

The law takes effect Sept. 1.

“The right to bear arms is something that has been synonymous with the state of Texas,” Abbott said. With the new law, he said, “Texans’ ability to bear arms is going to be even bolder than it’s ever been before.”

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac