Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick calls out NRA, doubles down on support for gun background checks

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick doubled down on his support for expanded gun purchase background checks in his weekly email to supporters, calling out the National Rifle Association for refusing to compromise on gun control.

Texas Tribune reporter Patrick Svitek reported Sunday that the lieutenant governor told his supporters the NRA's "refusal to compromise on this issue will only hurt our long-term defense of the Second Amendment."

"Every public poll I have seen in the past year shows there is broad support for expanding background checks," Patrick wrote. He cited a Fox News poll that found 90% of Americans support criminal background checks on all gun buyers. "If those of us who support the Second Amendment won't begin a discussion on this common sense change in our current laws, we risk losing everything."

Last week, Patrick told the Dallas Morning News he's "willing to take an arrow" by defying the NRA in support of background checks for private gun transactions. In response, the NRA blasted Patrick for engaging in "political gambits."

"Criminalizing private firearm transfers would require a massive, governmental gun registration scheme. Instead of trampling the freedom of law-abiding Americans, the government should focus upon actual solutions: fixing our broken mental health system, prosecuting known criminals and enforcing the existing gun laws that require follow-up whenever a prohibited person tries to buy a firearm," the NRA Institute for Legislative Action said in a statement.

Patrick defended his position on Fox News Friday, arguing the NRA is wrong.

“I’m a strong NRA supporter, and they’re a strong supporter of mine, but I believe they are wrong in not expanding background checks to stop strangers selling guns to strangers,” he said.

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