After signing into law Senate Bill 16, legislation lowering the license to carry fee, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott takes target practice as he shows his shooting prowess by displaying his target sheet to the media, at The Range in South Austin under the guidance of Director of Training Jeff Gonzales Friday, May 26, 2017. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

After signing into law Senate Bill 16, legislation lowering the license to carry fee, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott takes target practice as he shows his shooting prowess by displaying his target sheet to the media, at The Range in South Austin under the guidance of Director of Training Jeff Gonzales Friday, May 26, 2017. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

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.”

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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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Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com