TexasCHLforum.com

AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday there’s a strong chance that open carry legislation passes this session, even after a gun rights activist roiled the debate this week by appearing to threaten lawmakers opposed to the measure.

Abbott told a Lubbock radio station that “heated exchanges” notwithstanding, “the votes probably are there for open carry,” according to the Houston Chronicle. The Republican has previously said he would sign open carry legislation if it reaches his desk.

“I certainly think that’s the way the probability’s leaning right now,” Abbott told Chad Hasty on News Talk 790 AM in Lubbock.

Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, is one of the 11 co-sponsors on Estes' bill and sits on State Affairs. He said Thursday he does not think Watkins' actions have killed the chances for some form of open carry to pass this session.

"I don't think it hurts the overall effort because we, as legislators, are very accustomed to advocates coming into this building and being very passionate," said Creighton, who thinks open carry licenses should be optional, but available for those Texans who want to carry proof of their right under state law. "It's unfortunate that some of those advocates resort to the language and tactics that they use, but, ultimately, I don't think much about it."

Nevarez disagreed.

"It's obscene," he said of Watkins' video. "How do you proceed to evaluate a bill when you're being threatened like that? It shouldn't even come up for discussion now."