Gun safety advocates and law enforcement officials gathered at the Texas House of Representatives on Monday, where lawmakers heard testimony on several bills that aimed to loosen firearm regulations in the state.

HB 259: A Bill to Loosen Short-Barrel Firearm Regulations

In a hearing room packed with concerned citizens, lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 259, a bill that would effectively remove short-barrel firearms from the updated list of restricted weapons in the state. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Brent Hagenbuch, argued that the current law required only registration with the ATF and a $200 fee to own a short-barrel firearm. However, Flo Rice, a survivor of the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, testified strongly against the bill. Rice was shot six times in the shooting, which killed eight students and two teachers. She emphasized that the bill does not address the issue of short-barrel firearms, which she believes could pose a significant threat to school safety. Flo Rice, a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, explained,

“This bill doesn’t limit the short barrel size. So potentially a student could have a sawed off shotgun small enough to fit in his backpack. I am a second amendment supporter, but I believe it should be followed in a responsible way that prioritizes the safety of our children.”

Senate Bill 1596: A Bill to Register Short-Barrel Firearms

Meanwhile, the Senate counterpart of House Bill 259, Senate Bill 1596, was being debated on the Senate floor. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Brent Hagenbuch, claimed that it is currently legal in Texas to own a short-barrel firearm, as long as the individual registers with the ATF and pays a $200 fee. However, some lawmakers and experts argue that the bill does not go far enough in addressing the issue of short-barrel firearms. The legislation was introduced after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) changed its definition of a short-barrel firearm, making several currently legal guns illegal under state law.

Other Proposed Bills

In addition to HB 259 and Senate Bill 1596, the Texas House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs Committee heard testimony on more than a dozen other proposals. Some of the notable bills include:

• House Bill 1794: Allows concealed carry license holders to take their firearm into a voting precinct
• House Bill 2246: Lows the age to legally possess a handgun to 18 instead of 21

Rankings of Gun Law Strength

According to the nonprofit organization Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Texas ranked #32 in the country on gun law strength in 2024. This ranking highlights the ongoing debate over gun safety and regulations in the state.

Conclusion

The debate over gun safety in Texas continues, with lawmakers hearing testimony on several bills that aim to loosen firearm regulations. While some argue that these bills are necessary to protect Second Amendment rights, others believe that they do not go far enough to address the issue of gun safety. As the debate continues, it is essential to consider the perspectives of all parties involved and to prioritize the safety of our children.