Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking a stand against the Biden administration’s new regulations on gun sales. Paxton, along with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, announced that they are suing to block the new ATF regulation that would subject law-abiding gun owners to criminal guilt for engaging in private sales of firearms. The ATF is expanding federal licensing rules and background checks to include some private sales of firearms, which Paxton believes is an overreach of authority. The phrase “Come and Take It” has historical significance in Texas, dating back to the Battle of Gonzales in 1835, which marked the first military fight of the Texas Revolution and has become a symbol of Texas pride and resilience.
The Battle of Gonzales was a pivotal moment in Texas history, where colonists refused to give back a cannon to Mexican soldiers and declared “Come and Take It,” symbolizing their defiance and determination to defend their rights. This phrase has become widely used as a symbol of resistance against anyone or anything attempting to deprive someone of their rights or privileges. In 2024, Paxton is leading a multi-state coalition to defend the constitutional right to privately buy and sell firearms, challenging the Biden administration’s new ATF policy that requires those who sell guns primarily for profit to register as licensed dealers and conduct background checks.
Paxton’s lawsuit against the Biden administration is a response to what he sees as a tyrannical abuse of authority and an infringement on citizens’ Second Amendment rights. The new ATF policy, if implemented, would significantly impact gun owners’ ability to privately buy and sell firearms, potentially restricting their rights and freedoms. Paxton and Kobach are advocating for the protection of constitutional freedoms from what they see as an out-of-control federal government that is disregarding the Constitution.
The historical significance of “Come and Take It” as a symbol of defiance and resilience in Texas history is driving Paxton’s fight against the Biden administration’s regulations on gun sales. The Battle of Gonzales and the Texas Revolution that followed are part of the state’s heritage and identity, with the phrase representing a spirit of independence and determination. Paxton’s efforts to challenge the new ATF regulation are rooted in a deep belief in defending constitutional rights and freedoms from what he sees as government overreach and abuse of authority.
The flag used in the Battle of Gonzales, with the iconic cannon and the words “Come and Take It,” has become a powerful symbol of Texas pride and resistance. The flag represents the spirit of independence and defiance that has defined Texas history and continues to inspire Texans to stand up for their rights. By taking legal action against the Biden administration’s new regulations, Paxton is upholding this legacy of resistance and advocating for the protection of citizens’ Second Amendment rights in Texas and beyond.
Paxton’s lawsuit against the Biden administration’s ATF regulation reflects a larger battle for constitutional freedoms and the protection of Second Amendment rights. By challenging what he sees as government overreach and an abuse of authority, Paxton is defending the rights of law-abiding gun owners to engage in private sales of firearms without facing presumptions of criminal guilt. The Texas Attorney General’s fight is part of a broader effort to safeguard constitutional freedoms and push back against what he views as a threat to individual rights and liberties in Texas and across the country.
