Texas Democrats Introduce Deluge of Gun Control Legislation on First Day of Pre-Filing
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Emboldened by their unexpected majority in the Texas House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm election, Democratic lawmakers have introduced a spate of bills aiming to curb gun rights in the Lone Star State.
Since pre-filing opened on November 9, 23 bills related to guns have been introduced in the Texas Legislature, all but one in the Texas House.
The proposals encompass a host of gun control measures that have been implemented in other states. For example, House Bill (HB) 218, introduced by state Rep. Ann Johnson (D-Houston), would create “extreme risk protective orders,” known colloquially as red flag laws, which allow a petitioner to request a judge’s order that firearms be temporarily removed from a person’s possession if the judge believes said person is dangerous.
Supporters of red flag laws argue that they are necessary to remove firearms from individuals who could be threats to themselves or others. Critics contend that the laws confiscate firearms from those who haven’t been convicted of or charged with a crime and violate due process rights. In 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law prohibiting red flag laws in Texas, although he and other lawmakers had previously considered passing them.
Several bills were introduced that aimed to curb gun ownership by those between 18 and 21 years old. One example is Senate Bill (SB) 80, introduced by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), which would make it a state jail felony for anyone under 21 to purchase an “assault weapon,” defined as any centerfire rifle that has a pistol grip, folding stock, threaded barrel, or detachable magazine holding over 10 rounds.
Some bills introduced in the House went further. State Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) introduced HB 173, which would criminalize the transfer of most semi-automatic rifles to those under 21. A similar bill, HB 606, introduced by state Rep. Suleman Lalani (D-Sugar Land), would go further still, banning those under 21 from purchasing any firearm.
Lalani also introduced legislation to expand mandatory background checks for firearms transfers, prohibit sex offenders from purchasing or possessing firearms, and increase the penalty for leaving a firearm accessible to a child.
Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights, told The Texan, “Democrats campaigned on affordability. On day one they filed gun confiscation instead: red flag orders without a hearing, universal background checks, gun bans for adults under 21, and a registry. Twenty-three anti-gun bills hit the docket on day one, and Texas Gun Rights will fight every one of them. No confiscation, no registration, no compromise.”
McNutt weighed in specifically on legislation proposed by Moody that would require sales that include over two firearms or over four detachable magazines be reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“HB 659 is nearly identical to the bill James Talarico filed when he was in the Texas House, and it’s just as dangerous now,” he said. “It sends your name and a copy of your ID to DPS and your local sheriff for buying two guns or a handful of magazines in a week. Call it whatever you want. It’s a gun registry, and registration is the first step to confiscation. Texas Gun Rights will fight it until it’s dead.”
After a Democratic wave that saw state Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) defeat Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) oust Abbott, Democrats will control all of Texas’ statewide offices in addition to the Texas House.
Hinojosa has not spoken specifically on any of the proposed gun bills so far, but has supported similar legislation in the past.
Republicans maintain control of the Texas Senate, and it remains unclear whether any of these bills will make it through the chamber and arrive on Hinojosa’s desk. Republicans have made it clear they wouldn’t hesitate to block legislation they opposed.
On election night, state Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) wrote, “Texas stands as long as the Texas Senate Republican caucus holds the line. We will.”
