Washington, D.C. — A new fact sheet released today by the Center for American Progress Action Fund finds that gun deaths in Texas have surged more than 44 percent during Greg Abbott’s (R) time as governor. In addition, 80 percent of all 2020 homicides in Texas were committed with a gun, a 10 percent increase from Gov. Abbott’s first year in office. This alarming rise in gun deaths follows Texas Republicans’ push for dangerous policies that weaken the state’s gun crime laws:
- In 2015, Gov. Abbott signed the state’s “open carry” law, creating mass confusion for law enforcement and local governments.
- In 2019, Gov. Abbott signed bills that would allow more guns in schools as well as allow guns to be carried in places of worship.
- In 2021, Gov. Abbott signed permitless carry legislation, which allowed anyone to carry guns in public places without a background check or training. Research has found this type of policy is associated with a 13 to 15 percent increase in violent crime.
“Texas has become more dangerous under the leadership of Gov. Abbott, as he pushes policies that make it easier for people who commit dangerous crimes to get and carry guns,” said Jerry Parshall, senior director of the Safety and Justice Campaign at CAP Action. “Even after several high-profile mass shootings in Texas, Gov. Abbott continues side with the gun lobby and weaken the state’s gun crime laws; and as a result, gun deaths have surged 44 percent during his time in office. Rather than embrace evidence-backed solutions to make Texans safer from violence, Gov. Abbott is pushing an increasingly dangerous and radical policy agenda that will kill more Texans in cold blood.”
Click here to read: “Fact Sheet: Dangerous Gun Laws in Texas”
For additional state fact sheets, see “Dangerous Guns Laws Increase Violent Crime: A State-By-State Analysis”
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Madia Coleman at [email protected].