Sen. John Cornyn at NRA convention: ‘Never back down from the fight’

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, warned Friday that voters who support gun rights have to vote this November, or Democrats could reclaim a majority of seats in the House or Senate and bring forth an “anti-gun agenda.”

“It’s a battle we’re in,” the senior senator from Texas told a crowd at the National Rifle Association’s convention in Dallas. “The Second Amendment is under attack.”

Cornyn also touted a bill he’s sponsoring in the Senate that would allow permitted individuals to carry concealed weapons across state lines. The bill passed the House in 2017.

“Good guys and gals” with guns stop “bad” people with guns, he told the crowd. He reminded them of the Nov. 5, 2017 shooting in Sutherland Springs that killed 26 people inside the community’s Baptist church. Stephen Willeford, who lived near the church, left his home after hearing the commotion and confronted the gunman with his rifle, piercing his body armor, Cornyn said.

“Short and simple, Stephen Willeford is the hero that stopped the shooter at First Baptist Church,” he said. “Stephen saved lives that day.”

There are 3 million incidents each year of guns being used by people to defend themselves or family, and the participation in concealed carry classes is rising, Cornyn said.

Cornyn called on gun owners to explain to people who didn’t grow up around guns the virtues of having a weapon and encouraged the appointment of more judges who “apply the law as written by our founders.”

Cornyn said people who don’t support the Second Amendment want to “shut us up” and “shut us down.”

“Never back down from the fight,” he said. “Refuse to be silenced.”