Texas Senate Gives 21-10 Vote
The Texas Senate gave final approval on a 21-10 vote to Senate Bill 1596 by Senator Brent Hagenbuch (R-Denton) Thursday night. A TSRA-supported bill, SB 1596 repeals criminalization of the manufacture, possession, and sale of short-barreled firearms at the state level.
“Short-barreled rifles and shotguns are ‘medium-sized guns,’ larger than pistols but smaller than full-sized rifles and shotguns,” explained TSRA Treasurer, Sean Healy. “Why does the law treat them the same as machine guns? How can medium-sized guns be so much more dangerous than small and large guns?”
“It’s not the weapon, it’s the weapon wielder,” said Senator Hagenbuch on Thursday. “By passing this law, I think we’re more in line with the Second Amendment.”
“Short-barreled rifles and shotguns are ‘medium-sized guns,’ larger than pistols but smaller than full-sized rifles and shotguns,” explained TSRA Treasurer, Sean Healy. “Why does the law treat them the same as machine guns? How can medium-sized guns be so much more dangerous than small and large guns?”
“It’s not the weapon, it’s the weapon wielder,” said Senator Hagenbuch on Thursday. “By passing this law, I think we’re more in line with the Second Amendment.”
If passed, these items would still be regulated under the National Firearms Act on the federal level. Short-barreled firearms are currently prohibited under Section 46.05 of the Texas Penal Code, defined generally as rifles with a barrel length of less than 16 inches and shotguns with a barrel length of less than 18 inches. An exception to this ban exists for NFA-compliant SBRs and SBSs, a process which included registration with ATF and a $200 tax stamp.
On Monday, the House-companion bill on the same subject was heard by the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs. TSRA Executive Director John Poole was among those who testified in support of the House bill.
The House Committee Meeting also saw the inclusion of veterans and how they are impacted by the stabilizing braces. “We still see the federal government prosecuting folks for possession of braced pistols,” said Richard Hayes, II (Walker & Taylor, PLLC). “Because that’s what these are. We’re talking about pistols. They have a forearm brace. It’s designed for injured Vets.”
LTC Instructor Gary Zimmerman reiterated the use by American heroes too. “I have had Veterans in my license to carry classes that use these short stabilizing braces when they do their shooting qualifications,” he explained in his testimony.
As a result of the ATF rule treating pistols with stabilizing braces as SBRs, millions of Americans, including Veterans, have found themselves in possession of newly unlawful firearms. There have been multiple lawsuits in federal courts to resolve this conflict, and there has been sentiment among freedom-loving Texas lawmakers to push for legislation that removes this state prohibition on short-barreled firearms.
“Removing SBRs and SBSs from Texas law is a step in the right direction,” said Healy. “Hopefully the federal government will do the same thing.” If SBRs and SBSs are ever removed legislatively or administratively from NFA, or if NFA is repealed, Texas will have already taken care of business in this policy area if SB 1596 passes. “We are appreciative of the work of Senator Hagenbuch and his staff on this key measure,” said Poole on SB 1596. “We will continue to support it as it moves through the legislative process!”
Story by Marissa Brinkman
April 17, 2025