#TXLEGE: Constitutional Carry supporters Accidentally Discharge All Over Themselves All Over Again

"That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun."
Nehemiah 4:18

Sigh:

AUSTIN — Texas state troopers had House Speaker Dennis Bonnen's home in Lake Jackson under surveillance last week amid concerns that an outraged gun rights activist was headed there.

Chris McNutt, executive director of the nonprofit Texas Gun Rights, is advocating for a “constitutional carry” bill that would allow gun owners to carry their pistols, openly or concealed, in public without a license.

The bill has gone nowhere so far in the legislative session, and McNutt took to posting rants on Facebook about Bonnen. Then McNutt visited the homes of Bonnen allies Amarillo Rep. Four Price and Lubbock Rep. Dustin Burrows early last week. McNutt posted a video of himself in Burrows’ neighborhood on the Texas Gun Rights Facebook page.

Let's get a couple things straight:

• Yes, Bonnen and the media are deliberately blowing this incident out of proportion.  Chris McNutt, specifically, was lit-dropping in the districts of members who play key roles in moving legislation.  That's completely valid.

• The only reason this tactic was successful for Bonnen and the media is because the more overzealous #2A types have given them ammo.

We spent awhile yesterday discussing this issue with Capitol sources.  We can't say much.  But what we can say is sufficient: There have been serious, violent, threats.

That's why so many people fell for the narrative so quickly.

[Note: Members and staffers really ought to share A LOT more on this topic publicly.]

Yes, it's a relatively small number of people engaging this activity.  Yes, those people are keyboard warriors who never lift a finger.  No, the people who show up and work this issue at the Capitol don't do that.

But the psuedo-Tough guy incel keyboard warriors have become a serious liability to gun rights.

God forbid there's another school shooting...and those guys are the face of your movement.

As we said, barely two months ago:

One of the problems constitutional carry has faced in recent sessions is that its advocates act like assholes tend to be unnecessarily aggressive and hostile (especially with staff).  This behavior has alienated many members who otherwise don't object to the policy.  That is the dynamic that, unfortunately, Dennis Bonnen has to manage.

Like it or not, it's a completely self-inflicted wound.

That's what Dennis Bonnen is trying to explain to you.

It's up to y'all whether you want to heed this advice (you won't).  But if you don't (which is what will happen), don't be surprised when nothing changes (which, somehow, you will).  When that happens, you'll have no one to blame but yourselves (which is the last person you'll blame).

Two options moving forward:

• Operate Within Reality:  Understand that this issue carries a lot of baggage.  A certain amount of fence-mending is in order.  You've gotta start somewhere....

• Pointless Hostility:  No, really, keep threatening legislative staffers.  That's been super effective.  At least you're a big shot in the comments section.

It looks like, once again, pointless hostility was the path chosen.

Bottom Line: The results speak for themselves....