2A Legislation Moves to Governor's Desk
The Texas Legislature met for long hours over the holiday weekend, and your TSRA Legislative Team worked tirelessly to get pro-Second Amendment legislation across the goal line.
Here’s a rundown of where the TSRA priority bills stand with a June 2 session end date looming:
Senate Bill 706 by Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) & Rep. Carrie Isaac (R-Dripping Springs), which requires Texas to universally recognize all valid out-of-state carry licenses, has been passed by both the Texas Senate and Texas House. It now moves to Governor Abbott’s desk for his signature. If signed by Governor Abbott, this bill would become law on September 1.
In February, TSRA Executive Director and Acting Legislative Director John Poole testified in support of this measure, ensuring the TSRA’s voice was heard. Poole testified that the bill would put Texas in a leadership role when it comes to the subject of National Right to Carry Reciprocity.
With adoption of this legislation and the governor’s signature, Texas will 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.
Senate Bill 1362 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) & Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant) bans the enforcement of so-called “red flag” laws or “extreme risk protective orders” to protect Texans’ Second Amendment and due process rights, after approval from the House, will go back to the Senate for agreement with House clarifying amendments that pro-2A groups did not oppose. TSRA provided testimony in support of this measure multiple times. TSRA Military and Veteran Director, William Nance, testified on behalf of TSRA Members in Marc, and TSRA Past President Wayne Nunn shared his testimony in May. The measure prevents local government entities and officials from adopting or enforcing red flag or ERPO ordinances, rules, or regulations, and it prohibits the acceptance of federal grant money to implement or enforce federal red flag or ERPO laws.
Senate Bill 1596 by Sen. Brent Hagenbuch (R-Denton) & Rep. Richard Hayes (R-Denton), which repeals the state ban on the manufacture, possession, and sale of short-barreled firearms (note that these firearms continue to be tightly regulated at the federal level) was not amended in the House, so it will be sent to Governor Abbott for his signature.
Maneuverability while hunting and the increased ability to manipulate guns in tight spaces for self-defense are just two reasons law-abiding citizens are interested in legal ownership of SBRs and SBSs. “Removing SBRs and SBSs from Texas law is a step in the right direction,” said TSRA Treasurer, Sean Healy. “Hopefully the federal government will do the same thing.” While the push continues at the federal level to remove these items from the National Firearms Act, Texas can take care of business in this policy area this session. TSRA recently joined 30+ firearm associations in signing an Open Letter to Reform the National Firearms Act.
House Bill 1403 by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) & Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) prohibits state and child placement agencies from requiring foster parents to disclose specific types of firearms and to report any newly acquired or relinquished guns in the household. There were no amendments in the Texas Senate, so this bill will make its way to the Governor.
TSRA does not oppose foster parents being asked to disclose whether they own firearms, but we do object to them being required to provide specific descriptions or a registry of lawfully owned guns to a state or child placement agency. Ensuring foster parents are not required to provide a registry of firearms present in their homes could reduce barriers to fostering for some families.
Senate Bill 1718 by Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland) & Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City), which makes the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings & Exhibits eligible for Texas’ Major Events Reimbursement Program, passed the Texas House and will be sent to Governor Abbott for his signature. TSRA engaged in a critical lobbying effort to clarify that this was not a government handout, but an opportunity to bring more NRA meetings to Texas and provide TSRA with an opportunity to promote our efforts and recruit members.
Here’s a rundown of where the TSRA priority bills stand with a June 2 session end date looming:
Senate Bill 706 by Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) & Rep. Carrie Isaac (R-Dripping Springs), which requires Texas to universally recognize all valid out-of-state carry licenses, has been passed by both the Texas Senate and Texas House. It now moves to Governor Abbott’s desk for his signature. If signed by Governor Abbott, this bill would become law on September 1.
In February, TSRA Executive Director and Acting Legislative Director John Poole testified in support of this measure, ensuring the TSRA’s voice was heard. Poole testified that the bill would put Texas in a leadership role when it comes to the subject of National Right to Carry Reciprocity.
With adoption of this legislation and the governor’s signature, Texas will 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.
Senate Bill 1362 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) & Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant) bans the enforcement of so-called “red flag” laws or “extreme risk protective orders” to protect Texans’ Second Amendment and due process rights, after approval from the House, will go back to the Senate for agreement with House clarifying amendments that pro-2A groups did not oppose. TSRA provided testimony in support of this measure multiple times. TSRA Military and Veteran Director, William Nance, testified on behalf of TSRA Members in Marc, and TSRA Past President Wayne Nunn shared his testimony in May. The measure prevents local government entities and officials from adopting or enforcing red flag or ERPO ordinances, rules, or regulations, and it prohibits the acceptance of federal grant money to implement or enforce federal red flag or ERPO laws.
Senate Bill 1596 by Sen. Brent Hagenbuch (R-Denton) & Rep. Richard Hayes (R-Denton), which repeals the state ban on the manufacture, possession, and sale of short-barreled firearms (note that these firearms continue to be tightly regulated at the federal level) was not amended in the House, so it will be sent to Governor Abbott for his signature.
Maneuverability while hunting and the increased ability to manipulate guns in tight spaces for self-defense are just two reasons law-abiding citizens are interested in legal ownership of SBRs and SBSs. “Removing SBRs and SBSs from Texas law is a step in the right direction,” said TSRA Treasurer, Sean Healy. “Hopefully the federal government will do the same thing.” While the push continues at the federal level to remove these items from the National Firearms Act, Texas can take care of business in this policy area this session. TSRA recently joined 30+ firearm associations in signing an Open Letter to Reform the National Firearms Act.
House Bill 1403 by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) & Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) prohibits state and child placement agencies from requiring foster parents to disclose specific types of firearms and to report any newly acquired or relinquished guns in the household. There were no amendments in the Texas Senate, so this bill will make its way to the Governor.
TSRA does not oppose foster parents being asked to disclose whether they own firearms, but we do object to them being required to provide specific descriptions or a registry of lawfully owned guns to a state or child placement agency. Ensuring foster parents are not required to provide a registry of firearms present in their homes could reduce barriers to fostering for some families.
Senate Bill 1718 by Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland) & Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City), which makes the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings & Exhibits eligible for Texas’ Major Events Reimbursement Program, passed the Texas House and will be sent to Governor Abbott for his signature. TSRA engaged in a critical lobbying effort to clarify that this was not a government handout, but an opportunity to bring more NRA meetings to Texas and provide TSRA with an opportunity to promote our efforts and recruit members.
Rep. Briscoe Cain (left) played a pivotal role alongside SB 1718 bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Guillen (right) in navigating the legislation through procedural hurdles raised by anti-gun lawmakers during House floor debate.
Now for the bad news: Senate Bill 1065 by Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood), an important measure that would have prevented “gun-free zones” from being created on public property and was filed in response to the Texas State Fair’s misguided decision to ban License To Carry holders from the event last year, failed to see final action in the House. More than 70 state lawmakers signed onto a letter last fall during an election year urging the Texas State Fair to rescind their policy, and its board of directors thumbed their nose at this request. The TSRA PAC Legislative Team and the office staff at TSRA Headquarters have dedicated significant time since last August, researching, reporting, and working on this measure. The Texas Legislature FAILED to take final action on SB 1065 to reverse this ban! TSRA members should ask their Representatives why this was not passed this session.
We thank Senator Hall for attempting to address this issue this session and TSRA will explore opportunities to tackle this in the future!
TSRA supported a number of other pro-Second Amendment bills this session which are still making their way through the process. We will provide members a full wrap-up after the Legislature adjourns sine die next Monday! To contribute to the TSRA PAC's efforts, please visit TSRAPAC.com today!
Story by TSRA PAC Legislative Team
May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025