Texas stands firm for Second Amendment rights as Abbott signs sweeping pro-gun legislation

• Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed pro-gun laws, including a ban on enforcing out-of-state red flag orders and prohibiting taxpayer-funded gun buyback programs.
• Short-barreled rifles are now legal under Texas law, aligning with federal regulations while expanding firearm freedoms.
• The legislation shields foster parents from disclosing firearm ownership to state agencies, protecting privacy rights.
• Texas will recognize all out-of-state handgun permits, eliminating the need for individual reciprocity agreements.
• Gun rights groups praise the laws, while gun control advocates call them a setback for public safety efforts.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a series of pro-gun bills into law, further solidifying the Lone Star State as a national leader in protecting Second Amendment rights. The legislative package, signed ahead of a June veto deadline, includes measures banning enforcement of out-of-state red flag orders, prohibiting taxpayer-funded gun buyback programs, legalizing short-barreled rifles under state law, and recognizing all out-of-state carry permits.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) praised the legislation, stating that Abbott is “continuing to show his commitment to the Second Amendment.” Meanwhile, Texas Gun Sense, a gun control advocacy group, called the red flag law ban a “painful setback” in efforts to prevent gun violence. The clash of perspectives underscores a deepening national divide over firearm regulations, with Texas firmly planting its flag on the side of individual rights and state sovereignty.

Banning red flag laws and protecting due process

One of the most contentious new laws, Senate Bill 1362, prohibits Texas officials from enforcing extreme risk protection orders—commonly known as red flag laws—issued by other states or federal authorities. Red flag laws allow courts to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others, often without the gun owner present in court. Critics argue these laws violate due process and unfairly target gun owners without proper legal recourse.

“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 stated in a report. The group contends that such laws stigmatize mental health struggles and discourage individuals from seeking help.

Supporters of red flag laws, however, insist they are a necessary tool to prevent tragedies. “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. He argued that these orders are “civil, not criminal,” allowing intervention before violence occurs.

Despite these claims, Texas lawmakers sided with constitutional protections, ensuring that no Texan will have their firearms confiscated without full legal rights.

Ending taxpayer-funded gun buybacks and expanding firearm freedoms

Another key measure, House Bill 3053, bans local governments from using taxpayer dollars for gun buyback programs, which critics argue are ineffective and a waste of public funds. State Rep. Wes Virdell, R-Brady, who authored the bill, dismissed buybacks as unnecessary. “You can very easily go to a local gun store. If you have a gun you don’t want, you could turn it in, trade it in, give it to them, and they’ll take it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1596 removes state-level restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, aligning Texas law with federal regulations. These firearms, often criticized by gun control advocates for their concealability, are now legal under state statute, although they remain regulated federally.

Second Amendment advocates celebrated the move as a step toward dismantling unnecessary restrictions. Virdell is now pushing Congress to repeal federal short-barreled firearm regulations, calling them outdated.

Protecting privacy and expanding reciprocity

The legislative package also includes House Bill 1403, which shields foster parents from disclosing firearm ownership details to state agencies in a measure designed to protect privacy and prevent unwarranted government intrusion. Additionally, Senate Bill 706 ensures universal recognition of out-of-state handgun licenses, eliminating the need for individual reciprocity agreements between states.

The NRA lauded these measures as a “win” for Texas, emphasizing their role in safeguarding gun owners’ rights. Meanwhile, Texas Gun Sense acknowledged blocking some “harmful” proposals but lamented the passage of laws they believe weaken public safety.

As these laws take effect on September 1, 2025, Texas sends a clear message: the Second Amendment is not negotiable. By rejecting red flag laws, ending wasteful buyback programs, and expanding firearm freedoms, Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature have reaffirmed their commitment to constitutional rights and individual liberty. While gun control advocates vow to continue their fight, Texas stands as a beacon for those who believe in the fundamental right to self-defense, proving once again that freedom doesn’t retreat in the Lone Star State.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

SpectrumLocalNews.com

Fox7Austin.com