In 2019, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for expanding background checks to private gun sales between strangers. Then he quietly dropped the issue.

Patrick estimated that 5% to 8% of gun sales are from private gun owners to strangers, transactions that allow for potential mischief because a background check is not required.

Patrick’s push for expanded background checks would only accelerate that trend in 2020. “It’s not that we’re going to start voting for Democrats; it’s that we’re going to stop voting ...

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at a press conference concerning the recently passed Election & Ballot Security Bill, also known as Senate Bill 7, at the Texas Capitol on April 7, 2021.