Are Californians Really Buying More New Guns Than Texans?

Our weekly check in with the Texas Truth-O-Meter.

By Alain StephensNovember 11, 2015 9:19 am,

In October, Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted: “I’m EMBARRASSED: Texas #2 in nation for new gun purchases, behind CALIFORNIA. Let’s pick up the pace Texans.”

That can’t be right. Right?

Coming into the Texas Standard studio to set the record straight is PolitiFact Texas fact-checker Gardner Selby.

Abbott’s tweet linked to a news blog post in which the Houston Chronicle reported that while the number of requests to buy firearms in Texas had topped 1 million for the year, the Lone Star State still trailed California in such requests, according to the FBI.

“We contacted the FBI, spokesman there…pointed us to the agency webpage that tallies requests made by licensed firearms dealers for instant background checks,” Selby says. “If you buy a gun at a licensed dealer, you get your background check, that’s the law. The idea is to prevent purchases by individuals with criminal histories, mental health challenges, you know the drill.”

See how Abbott’s tweet rated in the audio player above.