Austin, TX — Texas lawmakers took up a major consumer safety bill that could change the legal landscape for businesses that choose to disarm their customers.

Senate Bill 82, recently heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee, seeks to hold businesses civilly liable when they post signs banning lawful carry—and a criminal act leads to injury or death on the premises.

Authored by Senator Bob Hall (R-Rockwall), SB 82 is being championed by Texas Gun Rights (TXGR) as a commonsense measure that aligns with the dozens of safety and liability standards businesses already follow—like building codes, food handling protocols, and fire exits.

“If a business is going to post a sign that disarms law-abiding citizens, then they should be prepared to answer for what happens when criminals strike,” said Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights. “This is about basic accountability and public safety—not politics.”

What SB 82 Would Do

Under current Texas law, businesses may post 30.06 or 30.07 signs that prohibit licensed handgun carriers from entering.

But if someone is hurt—or killed—because a criminal took advantage of the resulting “gun-free zone,” there is no recourse for the victim or their family.

SB 82 would change that by:

• Creating a civil cause of action for victims or surviving family members if serious injury or death results from a criminal act on property where lawful carry was banned.
• Allowing the presence of signage under Penal Code 30.06 or 30.07 to be used as evidence in court to support that claim (per a new committee substitute).

The updated language in a committee substitute narrows the liable party to the business or business owner, removing “manager or controlling party” to better reflect intent and simplify enforcement.

Testimony from Texas Gun Rights Legal Counsel

CJ Grisham, Legal Counsel for TXGR, delivered invited testimony at today’s hearing, outlining the legal logic for the bill.

He emphasized that when businesses take the affirmative step of disarming patrons, they are making a security decision—and should be legally responsible for the consequences.

The message from Texas Gun Rights is clear: If you disarm the public, you accept responsibility for their safety.

Businesses are already expected to prevent foreseeable harm under existing liability standards.

SB 82 simply adds one more condition: if you’re going to ban firearms and leave customers defenseless, you must be prepared to protect them—or be held accountable when you fail.

Next Steps

SB 82 now awaits a vote in the Senate State Affairs Committee.

If passed, it will head to the full Senate for floor debate.

Backed by Texas Gun Rights and supported by a growing number of grassroots activists, SB 82 is shaping up to be one of the most high-impact pro-safety, pro-accountability bills of the 2025 session.

The bill is simple in principle: Texans have the right to defend themselves. If a business takes that right away, it better ensure their safety—or face the legal consequences.