Texas House To Hear 17 Firearm Bills 4/14/2025

On Monday, April 14, the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs will hold public hearings on several TSRA-supported bills, including House Bill 259 by Rep. Richard Hayes (R-Denton), House Bill 1337 by Rep. Carrie Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) & House Bill 1794 by Rep. Carl Tepper (R-Lubbock).  

HB 259 repeals the criminalization of the manufacture, possession, and sale of short-barreled firearms at the state level. (Note that these items would still be regulated under the National Firearms Act on the federal level.) Maneuverability while hunting and increased ability to manipulate guns in tight spaces for self-defense are just two reasons people are interested in owning SBRs or SBSs despite the paperwork and cost involved for legal ownership. 
The Wilson Combat SBR (Short-Barreled Rifle) Tactical is their smallest custom AR Rifle. Wilson Combat is a TSRA Business Member and Advertiser.
 
HB 1337 requires Texas to universally recognize all valid out-of-state carry licenses. Texas should join the 20 other states with universal recognition laws, modernize our reciprocity law to be consistent with the constitutional carry statute that applies to nonresidents, and lend support to efforts to pass National Right to Carry Reciprocity.

TSRA Acting Legislative Director John Poole testified on the SB 706, the Senate companion bill to HB 1337, earlier this year. The Senate Bill was left pending.​
 

HB 1794 removes the prohibition on law-abiding citizens carrying handguns at polling locations, providing voters with a sense of security while casting their ballots.  TSRA supports the elimination of gun-free zones, as criminals ignore them, and they leave law-abiding citizens defenseless. 

TSRA PAC’s Legislative Team will be there representing our members and working to support these and several other pro-Second Amendment bills the committee will be considering. Click here for the full committee agenda and details of the hearing: Schedule Display

You can watch the committee hearing remotely by clicking here: Texas House of Representatives
 
Story by TSRA PAC Legislative Team
April 10, 2025