Texas gov appears to joke about shooting reporters

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Friday appeared to joke about shooting reporters two days after a GOP House candidate in Montana was charged with assaulting a journalist.

Abbott showed off a target sheet to a group of reporters and photographers after signing a bill reducing licensing fees for handguns, according to the Texas Tribune’s Patrick Svitek.

“I’m gonna carry this around in case I see any reporters,” Abbott reportedly joked.

.@GovAbbott goes shooting after signing bill that reduces handgun license fee. #SB16 #txlege pic.twitter.com/mb0lJye1wN

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 26, 2017

.@GovAbbott shows reporters his target sheet. #txlege pic.twitter.com/tQpPEVzecM

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 26, 2017

“I’m gonna carry this around in case I see any reporters,” @GovAbbott joked. https://t.co/ME7X8nbVx5

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 26, 2017

Abbott’s comments follow an incident involving Montana Rep.-elect Greg Gianforte (R) and reporter Ben Jacobs of The Guardian. 

{mosads}Gianforte allegedly slammed Jacobs to the floor at the candidate’s campaign headquarters in Bozeman after the reporter posed questions about the Republicans’ ObamaCare repeal plan.

Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault following the altercation. He apologized to Jacobs in his victory speech Thursday night after winning a special election.

“I should not have responded in the way that I did, and for that I’m sorry. I should not have treated that reporter that way, and for that I am sorry, Mr. Ben Jacobs,” he said.

Gianforte drew widespread criticism after the altercation. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) said the Montana Republican didn’t understand the First Amendment, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called Gianforte a “wannabe Trump.”