Kory Watkins, Open Carry Tarrant County. (Photo: Facebook)
Once again open carry advocate Kory Watkins is stirring the pot in order to call attention to gun rights in Texas.
Watkins, the leader of Open Carry Tarrant County, blasted lawmakers who voted against House Bill 910 via his Facebook page Thursday morning.
“I’m calling for the arrest of every elected official in Texas that voted against open carry. They should be arrested, charged with treason and should face a punishment that could result in being hung from the tree of liberty,” wrote Watkins. “What do you think gets their attention more after they go against the people? Some phone calls? Or actual liberty or death?”
As The Texas Tribune pointed out, the controversy over House Bill 910 was with respect to a provision that would limit the power of law enforcement to ask those openly carrying firearms to present their permits.
This is not the first time Watkins posted controversial comments on Facebook. Earlier this year Watkins posted a video in which he brought up the “punishable by death” suggestion.
“We should demanding these people give us our rights back or it’s punishable by death. Treason. Do you understand how serious this is Texas?” Watkins asked in the video. “This is treason against the American people. You don’t sell my right back to me. You’re going to find trouble.”
Many gun owners find his rhetoric inflammatory and over-the-top and ultimately detrimental to the cause because gun-control organization waste no time in disseminating his opinions as if they represent the average gun owner.
“These antics are no longer just theatrics and dramatic advocacy, open carry extremists have been threatening the safety and sanity of our communities for far too long and now they are threatening the lives of Texas legislators,” said Moms Demand Action volunteer Claire Larson back in February.
People are “hanged”. Objects are “hung”.