TSRA tracks legislation affecting Texas gun owners and Second Amendment rights throughout each legislative session.
Browse our legislative history below to review bills and results from current and previous sessions.
Senate Bill 1596 Removes short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns from the list of prohibited weapons in Texas. These items are still regulated under the National Firearms Act at the federal level.
Senate Bill 1362 Prohibits the recognition, service, and enforcement of “red flag orders” unless expressly authorized by Texas law.
Senate Bill 706 Provides that Texas will recognize any valid license to carry from any other state.
House Bill 3053 Creates a state prohibition on taxpayer-funded municipal and county “firearm buyback” programs.
Anti-Second Amendment Bills
TSRA opposed 107 pieces of anti-gun legislation during the 89th session. Only three had a committee hearing. One passed the House but was not heard in Senate Committee.
Senate Bill 694 Provides immunity from civil liability to religious organizations and their security personnel while providing security services including an act involving possession or use of a firearm.
House Bill 2837 Prohibits financial institutions and credit card companies from using merchant category codes to report or track data on lawful purchasers of firearms and ammunition in Texas.
House Bill 1760 Clarifies the definition of “school-sponsored activity” in the Texas Penal Code to avoid the establishment of roving gun-free zones in buildings or areas that are not owned by or under the control of a school or postsecondary educational institution
House Bill 3137 Restricts municipalities or counties from requiring firearm owners to obtain liability insurance under the state firearms preemption law
Anti-Second Amendment Bills
The 88th Legislature saw 137 anti-gun rights bills filed. Of these, 16 had a committee hearing, two of these passed the House but were not heard in Senate Committee.
House Bill 1500 Bars the governor from using emergency powers to restrict citizens’ rights to keep and bear firearms or from restricting the operations of firearm-related businesses.
House Bill 1927 Constitutional Carry/Permitless Carry eliminating the requirement for a citizen to obtain a License to Carry. Applies to both open and concealed carry.
House Bill 2622 Makes Texas a Second Amendment Sanctuary State and prohibits state, county, and municipal law enforcement from enforcing federal gun control measures passed after January 19, 2021, if they are not also Texas state laws.
Senate Bill 19 Prohibits governments and government agencies in Texas from entering into contracts with firms that discriminate against firearm-related businesses.
Senate Bill 20 Requires hotels and other temporary lodging facilities to allow guests to store handguns and ammunition in their rooms or vehicles and to carry them from their vehicle to their room and back.
All of these new laws became effective September 1, 2021.
Anti-Second Amendment Bills
There were 73 anti-gun-rights bills filed in the regular session. Only nine of these bills were heard in committee but progressed no further.
House Bill 121 by Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) & Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) provides a legal defense for License To Carry holders who unknowingly enter establishments with 30.06 or 30.07 signs, as long they promptly leave when verbally informed of the policy.
House Bill 302 by Rep. Dennis Paul (R-Houston) & Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) prohibits “no firearms” clauses in future residential lease agreements and protects tenants’ rights to possess lawfully- owned firearms and ammunition in dwelling units and on manufactured home lots, and to transport their guns directly between their personal vehicles and these locations.
House Bill 1143 by Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant) & Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) prevents school districts from effectively prohibiting the possession of firearms in private motor vehicles by limiting their authority to regulate the manner in which they are stored in locked cars and trucks — including by employees.
House Bill 1177 by Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) & Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) protects citizens from being charged with a crime for carrying a handgun without a License To Carry while evacuating from an area during a declared state or local disaster, or while returning to that area, and allows shelters which are otherwise prohibited locations to decide whether to accommodate evacuees with firearms in their possession.
House Bill 1791 by Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) & Sen. Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) closes loopholes in the state’s “wrongful exclusion” law that cities, counties and state agencies have been using to restrict License To Carry holders in government buildings.
House Bill 2363 by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) & Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) allows foster parents to store firearms in a safe and secure manner while making them more readily accessible for personal protection purposes.
House Bill 3231 by Rep. Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches) & Sen. Pat Fallon (R-Prosper) improves and modernizes the state’s firearms preemption law, curbs the ability of municipalities to abuse their zoning authority and circumvent state law to restrict the sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition at the local level, and allows the State Attorney General to recover reasonable expenses incurred when obtaining injunctions against localities violate the preemption statute.
Senate Bill 535 by Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) & Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Van) strikes
“churches, synagogues, or other places of worship” from the list of prohibited locations in the Penal Code, clarifying that these places have the same right enjoyed by nearly all other controllers of private property in the state to decide whether to allow License To Carry holders on their premises.
Senate Bill 741 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) & Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) prohibits a property owners’ association from including or enforcing a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits, restricts, or has the effect of prohibiting or restricting any person who is otherwise authorized from lawfully possessing, transporting, or storing a firearm.
Senate Bill 772 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) & Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) provides civil liability protection to business establishments which choose not to post 30.06/30.07 signs, making them less vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits and giving them an incentive to adopt permissive policies for the carrying of handguns by law-abiding citizens on their premises.
House Bill 131 by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) & Senate Bill 157 by Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) allowed for the issuance of so-called “red flag” protective orders that could lead to suspension of an individual’s Second Amendment rights without due process and surrender of his or her firearms to law enforcement.
House Bill 195 by Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Missouri City) & House Bill 1169 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D- Dallas) restricted the private transfer of firearms at gun shows – a favorite target of the gun control crowd – by requiring every transaction to be conducted through a licensed dealer involving extensive paperwork and payment of an undetermined fee.
House Bill 349 by Rep. Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso) banned the manufacture, sale and possession of devices designed to increase the rate of fire of a semi-automatic rifle and includes common modifications done to firearms by law-abiding citizens to make them more suitable for self-defense, hunting or competition.
House Bill 930 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) repealed the Lone Star State’s “Castle Doctrine” law.
House Bill 1163 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) allowed municipalities with a population of more than 750,000 to vote on whether to prohibit License To Carry holders from openly carrying handguns within city limits.
House Bill 1164 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) expanded the prohibited places that apply to License to Carry (LTC) holders in Penal Code Section 46.035 to include facilities such as golf courses, amphitheaters, auditoriums, theaters, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, civic centers and convention centers.
House Bill 1207 by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) made it a crime for a person to fail to report a lost or stolen firearm within five days of the person becoming aware that the gun was lost or stolen.
House Bill 1236 by Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) & House Bill 1173 by Rep. Rafael Anchia allowed public colleges and universities to opt-out of Texas’ campus carry law.
House Bill 1375 by Rep. Terry Meza (D-Arlington) prohibits the transfer of a firearm from a person who is not a licensed firearm dealer to another person without recording the name of the purchaser and the serial number of the firearm sold. Also required this information to be submitted to and registered with DPS within 30 days.
House Bill 1713 by Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos (D-Dallas) required persons convicted of any misdemeanor involving family violence — including some Class C violations punishable by only just a fine — to surrender their firearms to a law enforcement agency or sell them to a federal firearms licensed dealer (FFL). It would have also required persons subject to certain protective orders — some of which are issued without notice or a hearing — to do the same. This bill did not involve adequate due process or to provide sufficient firearms disposition options, such as transferring guns to non-prohibited third parties or storing them with an FFL.
House Bill 2280 by Rep. Vicki Goodwin (D-Austin) repealed the 30.06/30.07 written notification and signage requirement, allowing property owners to exclude License To Carry holders with 8 ½ x 11” signs containing less wording and a pictogram downloadable from DPS’ website. The net effect of this legislation would have been to make it easier for businesses to ban firearms from their premises and more difficult for LTC holders to receive effective notice from property owners.
House Bill 3508 by Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock) changed Texas’ carry law from “shall issue” to “may issue”; DPS would not have been required to issue a License To Carry to someone who met all the eligibility requirements under the law.
Other Info:
There was a great deal of media coverage about the State’s role in promoting gun safety. A rider was included in the State budget bill which was signed into law by Governor Abbott and which TSRA and NRA did not oppose. It provides for the following:
Statewide Safe Gun Storage Campaign. (Department of Public Safety) $500,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2021 in General Revenue to establish and promote a statewide safe gun storage campaign. The public awareness campaign shall begin no later than September 1, 2020. The public awareness campaign may include online materials, printed materials, public service announcements, or other advertising media. The public awareness campaign shall not convey any message that it is unlawful under state law to keep or store a firearm that is loaded or that is readily accessible for self-defense.
TSRA and NRA supported the award of a $1 million grant from the State of Texas to the National Shooting Sports Foundation for the distribution of Project ChildSafe (https://www.projectchildsafe.org/) firearms safety kits to Texas residents through a network of law enforcement and community partners. TSRA and NRA appreciated Governor Abbott’s recognition of NSSF’s expertise in firearms safety and his effort to bring this proven and effective safety program, which is free of anti-gun rhetoric and bias, to Texas residents.
**SB16 by Senator Robert Nichols/Representative Phil King
In 1995 the Texas Legislature passed the concealed handgun license. At that time the fee to the state for the CHL was put into statute at $140 for the initial license and $70 to renew. The only discounts were allotted to seniors over 60 who were given a 50% discount and to indigents for the same 50% discount.
Over the years the Legislature created discounts for various groups such as judges, district attorneys, military, law enforcement and others but nothing for the average hardworking Texan. In addition, the process of issuing the license has been streamline through technology.
Before passage of SB 16, the Texas LTC was the third most expensive license to carry in the country. Now it is one of the least expensive. The most any Texan will pay the state for the license is $40, which is essentially the “cost” to the state to produce the license. Those who would have paid $140 will pay $40 and their renewal will also be $40. It will be $40 for seniors for their first license instead of $70 but the renewal fee of $35 will stay the same. A licensee might pay less than $40 but not more.
Texans are paying for 5 years of personal protection, $8 a year, $40. Our license substitutes for a NICS check and provides reciprocity in 34 states. While TSRA strongly supports unlicensed carry of a handgun, the Texas license has become comfortable and acceptable even to those who worked for decades to oppose.
Special thank you’s to Senator Robert Nichols the author of SB 16 , to Representative Phil King for HB300, Representative Dustin Burrows for HB339 and to Representative Kyle Kacal for HB1024; all filed to create support for SB 16. The issue was Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s #1 priority for Texas gun owners. September 1st effective date.
Governor signed (5/26/2017)
**Caliber Requirement for LTC Qualification
SB263 by Senator Perry/Representative Drew Springer Since 1995 there has been a minimum caliber requirement in statute for the range proficiency portion of the Texas License to Carry class. Range Proficiency requires the applicant shoot a 50-round course of fire. SB263
Currently those seeking a license must test with a .32 caliber or higher handgun although there is no caliber requirement regarding the firearm carried by the licensee on a day to day basis.
This minimum caliber requirement negatively impacts those with hand injuries and the elderly who wish to obtain a license.
SB 263 by Senator Perry removes the caliber requirement for the range proficiency exam to obtain a Texas License to Carry. The bill takes effect September 1st.
Governor signed (6/9/2017)
**Volunteer First Responder
HB435 by Represenative Ken King/Senator Perry. Relating to handgun laws as they apply to licensees who are volunteer first responders.
Bill analysis
Governor signed (June 15, 2017)
**TSRA Suppressor Bill plus an Amendment
On Friday, May 19th, at 8:55 p.m. the Texas House passed HB 1819, authored by Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) with Senate sponsor, Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) plus an amendment by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls).
HB1819 sets up Texas law in preparation for the Hearing Protection Act (HR 367) to pass in Congress. The Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors, also known as silencers, from the provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA) . This means the purchaser of a suppressor would no longer be required to pay the suppressor dealer a deposit, fill out the form 4, transmit digital fingerprints, send BATFE $200, followed by waiting as long as a year for their application to be processed, the “tax stamp” issued and the purchase finalized. Again, we’re only talking about suppressors. A device which simply muffles sound.
The US Congress, under our current administration, is expected to act and when the change occurs Texas law will be ready to accommodate the change. This means law-abiding Texans wanting a suppressor for a firearm will show their LTC or submit to NICS as though they were purchasing a firearm.
It was brought to our attention by State Rep. Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) and by TSRA members that the Mossberg 590 Shockwave could not be purchased in two states: Texas and Ohio. There is a Mossberg manufacturing facility in Eagle Pass.
You see BATFE does not require this 14” barrel, pistol grip “firearm” to be registered as an NFA device. The Shockwave is not a shoulder-mount shotgun.
The Mossberg amendment was added in the Senate by Senator Craig Estes. Thanks of course to Senator Charles Perry the Senate sponsor for HB 1819.
HB1819 has now been signed by Governor Abbott and takes effect September 1st. We may have a wait to purchase a suppressor but we will purchase the Mossberg 590 Shockwave and other similar firearms after Sept. 1s.
HB1819 Bill History with Co-Author’s List
Governor Signed (5/26/2017)
**Online LTC Course Option
HB3784 by Representative Justin Holland (R-Rockwall and Senator Van Taylor (R-Plano)
Creates an optional online course for the Texas LTC. The shooting portion must be done with a DPS certified instructor. Governor signed (6/15/2017)
**Church Volunteer Security
The language of HB421 by Representative Matt Rinaldi (R-Irving) Relating to the exemption from the application of the Private Security Act of certain persons who provide security services on a volunteer basis at a place of religious worship.
The original bill didn’t get far enough in the process to pass on its own but was successfully amended to SB2065 by Senator Kelly Hancock (R-N. Richland Hills) Find the amendment on page 51 of the bill Click on the link above for SB2065 and go to page 51 on the host bill to find the amended language. Governor signed (6/15/2017)
**Primary and Secondary Teacher Parking Lot-See updated note!
**The language of HB1692 by Representative Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant) Relating to the transportation and storage of a handgun or other firearm and ammunition by a license holder in a motor vehicle in a parking area of a primary or secondary school.
This legislation protects the jobs of hard-working primary and secondary teachers with a LTC. This group was not previously covered by the employer parking lot bill from years ago.
Neither the House Bill nor the Senate, carried by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), completed the process but in the last days of session Representative Hefner amended his language to SB1566 by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) (Read the amendment on page 11). Click on the link to SB1566 above and go to page 11 of the bill to find the amendment. Effective date Sept. 1st Governor signed (6/15/2017)
Note: *Some Texas School Boards are ignoring the Legislative intent of the Hefner/Hughes amendment and prohibiting employees who are licensees. The language of the amendment is being reviewed. 2/3/2018
**Legalize the Bowie Knife
HB1935 by Representative John Frullo/Senator John Whitmire eliminates daggers, dirks, stilettos, poniards, swords, spears, and Bowie knives from Texas law, allowing them to be carried in Texas. Effective date Sept. 1st. Governor signed (6/15/2017)
**LTC Course Modification for Military
SB138 by Senator Van Taylor/Representative Morgan Meyer to exempt certain military veterans and active duty service members with military range qualifications from the state required range portion of the LTC course. SB138 passed as an amendment to HB3784
**Unlicensed Carry of a Handgun
Two bills were filed in the Texas House, dealing with this issue, this session.
HB375 by Representative Jonathan Stickland unlicensed carry of a handgun.
HB1911 by Representative James White unlicensed carry of a handgun.
Note: For the first time in legislative history a committee hearing was held on unlicensed carrying of a handgun. Two bills were filed HB 375 by Rep. Stickland and HB 1911 by Rep. White. TSRA and TSRA offcers requested the hearing and both were heard in House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety on the same day.
HB 375 accumulated 18 joint authors and co-authors in addition to Rep. Stickland, the bill author. There are 97 Republicans in the House and being a joint or co-author is considered a pledge to vote for the bill.
HB 1911 accumulated 30 joint authors and co-authors in addition to Rep. James White the bill author.
Being a joint or a co-author is an early demonstration of support for an issue.
Based on support HB 1911 was voted out of committee and died in Calendars.
No unlicensed carry bill was filed in the Texas Senate during the 2017 session.
Note:
In 2007 (see links to bill under TSRA Legslative History) TSRA passed legislation referred to as “car carry”, meaning that anyone eligible to purchase and possess a firearm could have a handgun, stored out of sight, in their vehicle, their RV, and later their water craft, without a state issued license. This has not been a problem law enforcement or the population for a decade. We will keep at it till it’s done.
Bad Bills–All Stopped
Who is the Source for Bad Bills?
Texas Gun Sense, wins the award for the largest number of anti-gun bills filed and worked during any Legislative Session. What wasn’t an outright House and or Senate bill, was an attempted as an to amendment. None passed.
At least 32 anti-gun bills were filed between the Texas House and Senate and a third received a public hearing.
Thank you, TSRA members, for coming to Austin and testifying in committee hearings.
Bad Bills with Links
HB111 by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) Relating to an eduational program and fee reductions to improve firearm safety. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB191 by Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting a handgun license holder from carrying a handgun on certain property. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB234 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to wrongful exclusion of handgun license holders from property owned by or leased to a governmental entity and to certain offenses relating to the carrying of handguns on that property. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB246 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting a handgun license holder from carrying a handgun on the property. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB255 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the offense involving the carrying of handguns by license holders on the premises or property of certain recreational facilities. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB259 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the creation of certain offenses concerning firearm sales at gun shows. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB282 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the carrying of handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education. Identical to HB 291 by Howard. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
Note: The above 5 bills were pre-filed together before session to highlight Rep. Anchia’s anti-gun position, if it was in question.
HB291 by Rep. Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) Relating to the locations in which a license holder may openly carry a handgun. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB391 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) Relating to the carrying of handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education. Identical to HB 282 by Anchia. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB392 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) Relating to certain offenses involving the carrying of handguns by license holders on the premises of certain hospitals, mental health facilities, and nursing facilities. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB465 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the prosecution of certain offenses involving the carrying of weapons at amusement parks or locations associated with schools or educational institutions. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB631 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) Relating to a public awareness campaign on firearm safety and suicide prevention. Public hearing on 3/20/17. Left Pending in Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
HB866 by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) Relating to a new protective order “Lethal Violence Protective Order” with Senate Companion filed by Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Pas0) SB 434. Public hearing on 3/20/17. Left Pending on House bill in Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
HB899 by Rep. Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting a handgun license holder from carrying a handgun on certain property. Public hearing on 4/11/17 in Homeland Security and Public Safety. Left Pending.
HB987 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to use of force or deadly force in defense of a person. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing
**Notes of Interest
*Legislative session in Texas is limited to odd-numbered years and begins, as per our state constitution, on the 2nd Tuesday in January.
*Only sworn-in Texas House members may vote for the Speaker of the House. Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) was elected by all 150 members to an unprecedented fifth term as Speaker.
*Session began at noon on Tuesday, January 10th, 2017. Bills began being filed in November after the 2016 general election. Early filing, before session begins, is often done for tactical purposes and is not considered to be a “leg up” on the legislative process. Speaker Joe Straus was re-elected unanimously by all House members in a record vote.
*Bill filing for this session ended on March 10th and Committee hearings began in earnest.
*The bill numbers above are links to take you to the text of the bill published on the state website. Underlined words indicate “new language” and stricken words indicate words being deleted. Laws that impact Texas gun owners are sprinkled through many forms of existing code including, and not limited to the Penal Code, Wildlife Code, Civil Practices and Remedies, Government Code, or Local Government Code to name a few.
*The usual effective date for new law is Sept. 1st of the Legislative year, unless otherwise noted.
Hefner/Hughes amendment and prohibiting employees who are licensees. The language of the amendment is being reviewed. 2/3/2018
**Legalize the Bowie Knife
HB1935 by Representative John Frullo/Senator John Whitmire eliminates daggers, dirks, stilettos, poniards, swords, spears, and Bowie knives from Texas law, allowing them to be carried in Texas. Effective date Sept. 1st. Governor signed (6/15/2017)
**LTC Course Modification for Military
SB138 by Senator Van Taylor/Representative Morgan Meyer to exempt certain military veterans and active duty service members with military range qualifications from the state required range portion of the LTC course. SB138 passed as an amendment to HB3784
**Unlicensed Carry of a Handgun
Two bills were filed in the Texas House, dealing with this issue, this session.
HB375 by Representative Jonathan Stickland unlicensed carry of a handgun.
HB1911 by Representative James White unlicensed carry of a handgun.
Note: For the first time in legislative history a committee hearing was held on unlicensed carrying of a handgun. Two bills were filed HB 375 by Rep. Stickland and HB 1911 by Rep. White. TSRA and TSRA offcers requested the hearing and both were heard in House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety on the same day.
HB 375 accumulated 18 joint authors and co-authors in addition to Rep. Stickland, the bill author. There are 97 Republicans in the House and being a joint or co-author is considered a pledge to vote for the bill.
HB 1911 accumulated 30 joint authors and co-authors in addition to Rep. James White the bill author.
Being a joint or a co-author is an early demonstration of support for an issue.
Based on support HB 1911 was voted out of committee and died in Calendars.
No unlicensed carry bill was filed in the Texas Senate during the 2017 session.
Note:
In 2007 (see links to bill under TSRA Legslative History) TSRA passed legislation referred to as “car carry”, meaning that anyone eligible to purchase and possess a firearm could have a handgun, stored out of sight, in their vehicle, their RV, and later their water craft, without a state issued license. This has not been a problem law enforcement or the population for a decade. We will keep at it till it’s done.
Bad Bills–All Stopped
Who is the Source for Bad Bills?
Texas Gun Sense, wins the award for the largest number of anti-gun bills filed and worked during any Legislative Session. What wasn’t an outright House and or Senate bill, was an attempted as an to amendment. None passed.
At least 32 anti-gun bills were filed between the Texas House and Senate and a third received a public hearing.
Thank you, TSRA members, for coming to Austin and testifying in committee hearings.
Bad Bills with Links
HB111 by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) Relating to an eduational program and fee reductions to improve firearm safety. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB191 by Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting a handgun license holder from carrying a handgun on certain property. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB234 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to wrongful exclusion of handgun license holders from property owned by or leased to a governmental entity and to certain offenses relating to the carrying of handguns on that property. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB246 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting a handgun license holder from carrying a handgun on the property. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB255 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the offense involving the carrying of handguns by license holders on the premises or property of certain recreational facilities. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB259 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the creation of certain offenses concerning firearm sales at gun shows. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB282 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the carrying of handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education. Identical to HB 291 by Howard. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
Note: The above 5 bills were pre-filed together before session to highlight Rep. Anchia’s anti-gun position, if it was in question.
HB291 by Rep. Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) Relating to the locations in which a license holder may openly carry a handgun. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB391 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) Relating to the carrying of handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education. Identical to HB 282 by Anchia. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB392 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) Relating to certain offenses involving the carrying of handguns by license holders on the premises of certain hospitals, mental health facilities, and nursing facilities. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB465 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to the prosecution of certain offenses involving the carrying of weapons at amusement parks or locations associated with schools or educational institutions. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing!
HB631 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) Relating to a public awareness campaign on firearm safety and suicide prevention. Public hearing on 3/20/17. Left Pending in Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
HB866 by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) Relating to a new protective order “Lethal Violence Protective Order” with Senate Companion filed by Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Pas0) SB 434. Public hearing on 3/20/17. Left Pending on House bill in Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
HB899 by Rep. Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting a handgun license holder from carrying a handgun on certain property. Public hearing on 4/11/17 in Homeland Security and Public Safety. Left Pending.
HB987 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) Relating to use of force or deadly force in defense of a person. Referred to House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. No Hearing
**Notes of Interest
*Legislative session in Texas is limited to odd-numbered years and begins, as per our state constitution, on the 2nd Tuesday in January.
*Only sworn-in Texas House members may vote for the Speaker of the House. Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) was elected by all 150 members to an unprecedented fifth term as Speaker.
*Session began at noon on Tuesday, January 10th, 2017. Bills began being filed in November after the 2016 general election. Early filing, before session begins, is often done for tactical purposes and is not considered to be a “leg up” on the legislative process. Speaker Joe Straus was re-elected unanimously by all House members in a record vote.
*Bill filing for this session ended on March 10th and Committee hearings began in earnest.
*The bill numbers above are links to take you to the text of the bill published on the state website. Underlined words indicate “new language” and stricken words indicate words being deleted. Laws that impact Texas gun owners are sprinkled through many forms of existing code including, and not limited to the Penal Code, Wildlife Code, Civil Practices and Remedies, Government Code, or Local Government Code to name a few.
*The usual effective date for new law is Sept. 1st of the Legislative year, unless otherwise noted.
Governor Greg Abbott–(R) Lt. Governor Dan Patrick–(R) Speaker of the House Joe Straus–(R)
TSRA Supported
HB 910 by Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman)/SB 17 Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) Licensed Open Carry of a handgun. As of January 1, 2016 the Texas concealed handgun license, passed in 1995, will be referred to as a License to Carry, and Texans with the state-issued license will no longer commit an offense if their handgun or a portion of their handgun is displayed when carried in a belt or shoulder holster. In addition PC 30.07 was passed alerting licensees to businesses that may allow licensees to carry concealed but not displayed. HB 910, Licensed Open Carry, was a House priority bill during the 2015 session.
Bill author, State Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman), was awarded TSRA’s Legislator of the Year for 2015 for his work to pass HB 910-Licensed Open Carry and his support as chairman of House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. List of bill authors and co-authors for HB 910.
SB11 by Sen. Brian Birdwell/HB937 by Rep. Allen Fletcher. After the Virginia Tech murders, Students for CHL on Campus, a national organization, contacted TSRA asking for help to change Texas to allow licensees: students, faculty, and staff access to their handgun for personal protection as they move about their Texas college campus and into campus buildings. SB 11 was a senate priority bill in 2015.
SB473 by Sen. Charles Perry/HB 989 by Rep. Frullo. Clarifies in statute the unnecessary “defense to prosecution” for the legal ownership of a device compliant with ATF form 4.
SJR22 by Sen. Creighton/HJR61 by Rep. Trent Ashby. An amendment to the Texas Constitution to protect hunting and fishing by traditional methods against a growing threat from anti-sporting organizations. Passed in the Texas House and Senate by the required 2/3s vote and passed on the ballot in November 2015.
SB273 by Sen. Donna Campbell/HB226 by Rep. Ryan Guillen. Gives the Texas attorney general the authority to sue governmental entities who prohibit entrance by handgun licensees from locations not listed as prohibited in statute. It also creates on the AG’s website, a complaint process which can be utilized by Texas citizens.
Governor Rick Perry (R)–Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (R)–Speaker Joe Straus (R)
TSRA Supported
HB 25 by Rep. Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) to allow law-abiding Texans to have a handgun on their watercraft without the state issued license.
SB 321 by Sen. Glenn Hegar, Jr. (R-Katy)/Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington) to allow Texas employees to store a firearm in thier personal vehicle while on their employer’s parking lot. This issue took 8 years to pass both chambers and become law.
SB 766 by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls)/Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) protects safe, outdoor sport shooting ranges from frivolous lawsuits.
HB 2127 by Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Ft. Worth)/Sen. Chris Harris (R-Arlington) relating to municipal regulations on the discharge of a firearm in certain Texas counties.
HB 2560 by Rep. Ralph Sheffield (R-Temple)/Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) relating to transporting a foster child by a person with a concealed handgun license.
Bills Defeated
HB 356 by Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Ft. Worth) would require a Texas resident to obtain a Texas CHL.
HB 2807 by Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Ft. Worth) would create an offense for possession and/or transfer of semiautomatic weapons.
Governor Rick Perry (R)–Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (R)–Speaker Joe Straus (R)
TSRA Supported
HB 410 by Rep. Carl Isett (R-Lubbock)/Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) would remove the requirement of a CHL when carrying their handgun and stopped by law enforcement to display their license and remove the penalty for failure to display. Note: Although this measure failed, an amendment removing the penalty for failure to display was amended to the DPS sunset bill.
HB 2664 by Rep. Allan Ritter (D-Nederland)/Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) requires effective notice be given for a CHL in a 51% alcohol facility.
SB 1188 by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls)/Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) allows Texans to purchase and take possession of long guns when the purchase occurs beyond states contiguous to Texas. This measure brought Texas into harmony with existing federal law.
Bills Defeated
HB 3352 by Rep. Eliot Naishtat (D-Austin)/Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) Federal firearm background check
Governor George W. Bush (R)–Lt. Governor Rick Perry (R)–Speaker Pete Laney(D)
TSRA Supported
SB 717 by Sen. Jon Lindsay (R-Houston)/ Rep. Rick Green (R-Dripping Springs) protection from frivolous lawsuits for Texas firearm dealers and manufacturers.
HCR57 by Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp (R-Lampasas) Children’s Firearm Safety Week.
Bills Defeated
HB 186 by Rep. John Longoria (D-San Antonio) would prohibit the possession of a firearm (even a long gun) by a minor under 17.
HB 199 by Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Ft. Worth) would prohibit minors, under the age of 17, from possession of a firearm. Defense to prosecution was if you were with your parent or guardian.
HB 200 by Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Ft. Worth) would create a 3rd degree felony for providing a firearm to a youth under the age of 18.
HB 489 by Rep. Glenn Lewis (D-Ft. Worth) would create an offense for selling, or otherwise transferring a firearm without a trigger lock.
HB 1199 by Rep. Debra Danburg (D-Ft. Worth) firearms sales at gun shows.
HB 2169 by Rep. Eliot Naishtat (D-Austin) construction standards, permitting, and inspection of private sport shooting ranges.