Hurricane Harvey is estimated to have inflicted $190 billion worth of damage on Texas, a figure equal to approximately 1 percent of the entire U.S. economy.

It’s been inspiring to see how the state of Texas (and the rest of the country) has come together in the face of this tragedy - and equally depressing to see looters exploiting it. The Cajun Navy said last Monday that looters even stooped as low as firing upon their rescue ships as part of a (failed) attempt to hijack them.

It goes without saying that Texas is among the states with an overwhelmingly favorable view towards guns - and that’s going to spell trouble for any future looters.

As the Daily Caller is reporting: Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls made it clear looters could leave his county in a body bag.

“We support the Second Amendment here in Fort Bend county, and there are many of us that are armed. I would caution those that want to come and prey on our people here in Fort Bend County that are suffering so much right now. You may want to stay out of Fort Bend County because you could leave this county in a bag,” Nehls said during a Saturday appearance on Fox News.

Sheriff Troy Nehls: "We support the 2nd Amendment… I would caution those that want to come & prey on our people here in Fort Bend County." pic.twitter.com/akMJsat80V

— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 2, 2017

The slogan “Don’t Mess With Texas” originated as part of a campaign to raise awareness about littering - but it’s obvious why it’s taken on a completely new meaning now.

[Note: This post was written by Matt Palumbo. He is a co-author of the new book A Paradoxical Alliance: Islam and the Left, and can be found on Twitter @MattPalumbo12]