Arrington, a veteran constitutional attorney and nationally recognized Second Amendment litigator, will now bring his decades of legal experience to the federal government as part of a growing effort to ensure the Department of Justice properly defends the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
For Texas Gun Rights, Arrington’s departure marks the end of an important chapter of leadership for the organization — but also a sign that the fight for gun rights is gaining new ground at the federal level.
“Barry has been an extraordinary leader for Texas Gun Rights and a relentless defender of the Second Amendment,” said Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights.
“While his departure leaves very big shoes to fill on both the Texas Gun Rights and Texas Gun Rights Foundation boards, his work at the Department of Justice is a major win for the entire Second Amendment community.”
Arrington is widely known throughout the gun rights movement for his role as Chief Legal Counsel for the National Association for Gun Rights, where he led litigation efforts challenging unconstitutional gun control laws across the country.
Over the years, Arrington helped spearhead legal battles in multiple states, taking on aggressive lawsuits from the gun confiscation lobby and their well-funded left-wing legal teams.
In courtrooms around the country, Arrington built a reputation as a formidable constitutional litigator — repeatedly forcing gun control advocates onto the defensive and helping advance legal arguments grounded in the original understanding of the Second Amendment.
“Barry has spent his career going toe-to-toe with the gun confiscation lobby’s top attorneys and winning,” McNutt added.
“The fact that the Department of Justice is bringing someone with his background into the Civil Rights Division is a strong signal that the federal government may finally be getting serious about protecting Americans’ constitutional rights.”
Arrington’s legal career spans nearly four decades and includes extensive work in constitutional litigation, nonprofit law, and civil rights advocacy. He graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and has practiced law since 1987.
In addition to his legal work, Arrington previously served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives, giving him firsthand experience in both the legislative and judicial arenas.
During his time as Chairman of Texas Gun Rights, Arrington helped guide the organization through a period of significant growth, including major legal victories on Forced Reset Triggers and Pistol Stabilizing Braces, and legislative victories such as Texas’ ban on “red flag” gun confiscation without due process.
Now, Arrington will take that experience into the Department of Justice, where he will help shape how the federal government approaches Second Amendment protections moving forward.
While Texas Gun Rights celebrates the broader victory for the pro-gun movement, McNutt acknowledged that replacing Arrington’s leadership will not be easy.
“Barry’s leadership and legal mind have been invaluable to this organization,” McNutt said.
“Finding someone capable of stepping into his role on both the Texas Gun Rights and Texas Gun Rights Foundation boards will be no small task.”
Still, McNutt said the development should give gun owners reason for optimism.
“For years the Department of Justice and the ATF has been used to attack the Second Amendment,” he said.
“Seeing someone like Barry Arrington step into a role inside the Civil Rights Division gives us hope that the tide may finally be turning.”
Texas Gun Rights leadership says the organization will begin the process of identifying Arrington’s successor in the coming months.
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