TTAG commentators are quick to point out that Texas isn’t the most gun-friendly state in these here united. Constitutional Carry? Nope. Open carry? No sir. Guns in schools? Not a chance. And yet America’s second most populous state has an extremely strong gun culture. So while we can’t credit Texas Governor Rick Perry for rolling back the Lone Star State’s civilian disarmament legislation – save the recent reduction in mandatory training hours for concealed carry permits – we can certainly acknowledge his unabashed enthusiasm for armed personal defense. The former presidential candidate never fails to defend and promote gun rights in interviews. Perry also leads by example, shooting all manner of semi and fully automatic guns for fun, carrying a Ruger LCP (with which he shot a coyote while jogging) and keeping an FN FiveseveN for bedside backup. As a high-profile poster boy for firearms freedom, Perry makes the grade. For that he gets our thanks and appreciation.