Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a series of pro-gun bills, including measures to block enforcement of red flag laws, ban local gun buyback programs, legalize certain restricted firearms, and broaden recognition of out-of-state carry permits.
The new laws—part of a broader push by Republican lawmakers to limit government restrictions on gun owners—were among roughly 600 bills signed by Abbott ahead of a June 22 veto deadline.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) praised the package, calling it a sign that Abbott was “continuing to show his commitment to the Second Amendment.”
Among the most contentious of the new laws is Senate Bill 1362, which prohibits Texas officials and agencies from enforcing extreme risk protection orders, or red flag laws, issued by other states or federal authorities. Texas has not adopted a red flag law of its own, and supporters of SB 1362 said it is a safeguard against potential due process violations.
Red flag laws, or Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) regulations, generally allow law enforcement, family members, or medical professionals to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from someone deemed a danger to themselves or others. Critics argue that the process often occurs without the gun owner’s presence in court and can unfairly deprive individuals of their rights.
“Insofar as orders are issued ex parte (i.e., without the person the order is sought against present for the proceedings), red flag laws invert the presumption of due process,” the Firearms Policy Coalition, a pro-gun rights advocacy group, said in a report. The group argued that red flag laws stigmatize mental illness, impose legal burdens on the poor, and discourage people from seeking help.
Supporters of such laws cite data showing they can prevent harm. “Research shows that for every 17 to 23 ERPOs issued, a suicide is prevented,” said Spencer Cantrell, of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. “These are great orders that are civil, not criminal, so that you can prevent violence before anything happens,” he continued, adding that red flag orders are being used in a more expansive way, targeting threats of mass shootings, as well as domestic and political violence.
Texas Gun Sense, a nonprofit that advocates for stricter gun policies, described SB 1362 as a “painful setback.” In a report on its legislative efforts, the group said it succeeded in blocking some of the “most dangerous” proposals in the latest legislative session but criticized the red flag law ban and the Legislature’s failure to advance measures like safer firearm storage and raising the purchase age for semi-automatic rifles.
Another measure Abbott signed into law, House Bill 3053, prohibits local governments from organizing or participating in firearm buyback programs. It bars the use of public funds or resources for any such efforts, which supporters argued undermine gun ownership rights.
Senate Bill 706 provides for universal recognition of out-of-state handgun licenses. Previously, reciprocity required negotiated agreements with other states, a process that has now been eliminated.
House Bill 1403 ensures that foster parents are not required to disclose the types of firearms kept in their homes and mandates confidentiality for any related information. The bill prohibits state and child-placing agencies from collecting detailed firearm data and imposes penalties for violations.
Senate Bill 1596 removes state-level restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, decriminalizing their possession under Texas law. These firearms remain regulated under federal law.
Senate Bill 1718 makes the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings and Exhibits eligible for funding through Texas’s Major Events Reimbursement Program, giving the gun rights group access to the same economic incentives offered to high-profile events like the Super Bowl and national political conventions.
In its post-session report, Texas Gun Sense acknowledged both successes and setbacks for its gun control advocacy.
“Still, we press forward,” wrote the group’s executive director, Nicole Golden. “Because this work is not optional—it’s urgent.”
The NRA called the legislation a “win” for Texas, saying the new laws bolster Second Amendment rights and protect the privacy of gun owners.
