While the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veteran’s Affairs recently held a marathon “gun day” of legislative hearings, there are three major pro-gun priorities backed by Texas Gun Rights (TXGR) that are seemingly stalled in the Texas House, leaving Second Amendment advocates questioning whether Republican leadership will get serious about defending gun rights before critical legislative deadlines kill the bills.
At the top of the list is the bill to ban on “Red Flag” gun confiscation orders (SB 1362) by Senator Bryan Hughes.
The bill, which would make it illegal for any entity to enforce Extreme Risk Protective Orders in Texas, sailed through the Senate over two weeks ago. But despite its momentum, it remains stuck in the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, with no hearing scheduled.
Its companion bill, HB 162 by Representative Briscoe Cain, has been gathering dust for months in the House Committee on State Affairs. TXGR President Chris McNutt suspects this committee was chosen specifically to kill the bill quietly, even though over 40 representatives have signed on in support.
“The grassroots are fired up about banning Red Flag laws, but it looks like some folks at the Capitol are trying to stall it out,” McNutt said. “We need Speaker Burrows, Chairman King, and Chairman Smithee to prove they’re serious about protecting Texans’ gun rights.”
Another key bill waiting for action is SB 1596 by Senator Brent Hagenbuch, which passed the Senate recently and was referred today to the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veteran’s Affairs.
This bill would remove short-barreled firearms from Texas’ prohibited weapons list, aligning Texas law with expected federal reforms to deregulate such firearms. Its companion, HB 259 by Representative Richard Hayes, received a hearing on April 14, where McNutt testified in strong support, but has yet to receive a vote.
“This is a crucial piece of legislation to end senseless restrictions on law-abiding Texans,” McNutt said. “We’re cautiously optimistic it will move soon.”
Also languishing is HB 170 by Representative Ryan Guillen, known as “Kyle’s Law.” This bill provides critical civil immunity protections for individuals who are acquitted of charges in criminal court, if a grand jury declines to indict court, or if charges are simply dropped, after using — or threatening to use — justified deadly force in self-defense.
It ensures these individuals are not subjected to financially devastating civil lawsuits after being acquitted.
HB 170 passed out of the Texas House Committee on Civil Jurisprudence with bipartisan support, reflecting wide agreement on the need for such protections.
However, the bill is now seemingly stalled in the House Calendars Committee, chaired by Rep. Todd Hunter, which raises an important question:
Will Chairman Hunter schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor, or will he let legislative deadlines kill it without action?
“Texans deserve to know if Chairman Hunter will block this bill from reaching the floor,” McNutt added. “If you can’t exercise your Second Amendment rights without risk of financial ruin, do you even have a Second Amendment?”
Meanwhile, SB 1065 by Senator Bob Hall—aimed at preventing government entities from banning lawful carry on taxpayer-owned property—is moving forward in the Senate.
The bill recently cleared the Senate State Affairs Committee and is on the Senate Intent Calendar, potentially coming up for a full Senate vote any day now. McNutt testified in strong support of this bill on the Senate floor.
Deadlines Fast Approaching
With legislative deadlines fast approaching, the clock is ticking for these and other TXGR priorities:
- House bills must be voted out of committee and reported to Calendars by May 12.
- House bills must be voted out of the House by May 15.
- Senate bills referred to House committees must be voted out of committee and reported to Calendars by May 23.
- Senate bills must pass the House by May 27 to make it to the Governor’s desk.
- June 2 marks sine die, the end of the session.
To ensure these pro-gun bills get the attention they deserve, Texas Gun Rights is launching targeted ad campaigns across key districts, urging Texans to contact their elected officials and demand action.
“This is the most aggressive legislative agenda in Texas Gun Rights history, but none of it will pass without grassroots pressure,” McNutt said. “Gun owners can’t afford to sit back while these bills stall.”
For TXGR, the fight isn’t over until these bills land on Governor Abbott’s desk. You can click here to email your lawmakers, urging them to support these critical bills.
