TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
April 1 , 2024
Austin, Texas — What began as an elaborate April Fool’s Day prank has now become a reality. Texas, known for its independent spirit and love for firearms, has officially banned handguns, leaving citizens and lawmakers alike in shock.
On April 1, 2024, State Representative John Maverick stood before the Texas House of Representatives and proposed a bill titled “The Lonestar Handgun Ban of 2024.” The room erupted in laughter as Maverick explained that the bill was a lighthearted jest, a playful nod to the state’s gun-loving reputation.
“Imagine a Texas without handguns,” Maverick quipped. “It’s like a cowboy without spurs or a barbecue without sauce!”
The bill moved swiftly through committees, with lawmakers eager to take part in the prank, seen as jab at blue states such ad California and New York as well as their more progressive caucus members
Governor Greg Abbot, known for headline-grabbing political stunts, signed the bill into law, expecting his signature would not be binding on a bill that was clearly just a joke.
However, the Texas constitution has no such provision.
As a result, the Texas legislature is scrambling to issue a repeal, but because the law needs to be officially entered in the Texas Code of Regulations before it can be repealed—and the Recorder’s Office is closed for Easter break—the law remains in effect, at least for now.
Texas voters are not happy, and the ultimate fallout remains to be seen.
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