Bill Roundup: Gun Policy In Texas - Part TWO

Breaking down the battle over common-sense reform.

Last week, we discussed “Gun Policy In Texas (Part One).” The main idea was to compare the Republican and Democratic Parties’ gun policies. We reviewed 18 Republican bills and 33 Democratic ones, which made for quite the list. It’s important to know that Legislators have until March 14 to file bills. Only a fraction of the bills filed will make it to a committee, and only a fraction of those will become law. And with Republicans in charge, the chances of getting any meaningful gun sense policy through is slim.

After 33 Democratic bills listed last week, that was enough to show how different each side is. There were a few dozen more Democratic bills I skipped over, but no more Republican bills. Overwhelmingly, y’all voted to see a “part two.”

After the list below, there will be 59 Democratic bills we discussed and still only 18 Republican bills. In Part One, I said there were roughly 50 more Democratic bills. There were actually 26 more. I’m not good at eyeballing numbers 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Why is there such a discrepancy?

One party prioritizes public safety, while the other seems more invested in catering to special interests. The Democratic bills propose measures like universal background checks, red flag laws, and closing domestic violence loopholes. These are policies backed by data and experts who have shown that they reduce gun violence and save lives. On the other hand, Republican bills largely push for more lenient gun laws, including fewer restrictions on who can carry a firearm and where.

The left is fighting to protect everyday Texans, while the right continues to take actions that put communities at greater risk. It’s about the safety of our schools, grocery stores, places of worship, and homes. Texans deserve to know that these policy decisions have life-or-death consequences.

So, why is this important? Because you have the power to change this narrative. Countless Texans stay home every election cycle, convinced their vote doesn’t matter. However, local and state elections are key to real change, particularly for the Texas House and Senate. We cannot out-organize bad policy without out-voting it.

Meaningful change on gun violence starts with the ballot box. When we show up in force, we elect leaders who will fight for gun safety measures that save lives.

The rest of the Democratic bills:

Acronyms:

• HB/SB = House/Senate Bill (prerequisite to the bill numbers).

• HD/SD = House/Senate District (where the bill author is located).

Not sure what district you’re in? Find out here.

• HB857 by Joe Moody (D-HD78) aims to strengthen the enforcement of existing firearm possession restrictions for individuals deemed dangerous due to criminal convictions, protective orders, or bond conditions.

• HB865 by Joe Moody (D-HD78) and HB1217 by Vikki Goodwin (D-HD47) introduce civil liability protections for federal firearms licensees who enter into firearm hold agreements with firearm owners.

• HB874 by Vikki Goodwin (D-HD47) requires licensed firearms dealers to report multiple sales or transfers of certain semiautomatic rifles to law enforcement.

• HB877 by Joe Moody (D-HD78) prohibits the transfer of firearm magazines to individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing the firearm for which the magazine matches.

• HB883 by Joe Moody (D-HD78) requires licensed firearms dealers to report certain multiple sales or transfers of firearms or firearm magazines to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Who even knew they could do that? 🤯

• HB889 by Joe Moody (D-HD78) addresses the prosecution and punishment for making a firearm accessible to a child and raises the age threshold for who is considered a child.

• HB893 Joe Moody (D-HD78) establishes a framework for Extreme-Risk Protective Orders in Texas. These orders allow courts to temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms if they pose a danger to themselves or others.

• HB956 by Cassandra Garcia-Hernandez (D-HD115) strengthens the reporting of protective orders and convictions related to family violence.

• HB1040 by Chris Turner (D-HD101) expands the list of locations where carrying or possessing certain weapons is prohibited, specifically adding facilities that provide services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

• HB1138 by Erin Gámez (D-HD38) grants municipalities and counties the authority to regulate or prohibit the carrying of firearms on the premises of public libraries.

• HB1150 by Penny Morales Shaw (D-HD148) prohibits the sale or transfer of semiautomatic rifles to individuals under 21.

• HB1205 by Gina Hinojosa (D-HD49) establishes a mandatory reporting and investigation process for attempted firearm purchases by prohibited persons.

• HB1270 by Terry Meza (D-HD105) expands the restrictions on firearm possession for individuals convicted of certain violent misdemeanors.

• HB1352 by Terry Meza (D-HD105) requires law enforcement agencies to prohibit discharging firearms at moving vehicles.

• HB1599 by Jon Rosenthal (D-HD135) requires individuals to complete a handgun safety course before legally receiving a handgun through a sale, rental, lease, loan, or gift.

• HB1692 by Vikki Goodwin (D-HD47) prohibits the transfer of firearms to individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

• HB1696, by Terry Canales (D-HD40), proposes a system for Texas driver’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses to include a handgun license designation.

• SB41 by Judith Zaffirini (D-SD21) and Molly Cook (D-SD15) establishes a prohibition on the purchase, possession, and transfer of assault weapons for persons under 21.

• SB195 by Jose Menéndez (D-SD26) establishes a mandatory 30-day waiting period for the transfer of firearms to individuals aged 18 to 20.

• SB354 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) and Roland Guiterrez (D-SD19) allows higher education institutions to prohibit concealed handguns through a referendum process.

• SB355 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) and Roland Guiterrez (D-SD19) provides updated requirements for signage used by property owners to prohibit the carrying of firearms, concealed handguns, and openly carried guns on their property.

• SB356 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) and Roland Guiterrez (D-SD19) updates the terminology to include all firearms instead of limiting the scope to handguns in unlawful transfers.

• SB357 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) and Roland Guiterrez (D-SD19) establishes requirements for reporting lost or stolen firearms.

• SB633 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) strengthens firearm restrictions near primary and secondary schools.

• SB691 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14) establishes a state firearm registration system requiring Texas individuals to register firearms with the Department of Public Safety.

The sheer volume of Democratic bills focused on gun safety underscores a clear commitment to public safety.

Meanwhile, the Republican side remains stagnant with its narrow set of proposals. With 59 Democratic bills compared to only 18 Republican bills, the contrast couldn’t be starker. Democrats are pushing for common-sense reforms backed by data to make our schools, public spaces, and homes safer. Again, the legislators have until March 14 to file bills, so more could come.

Gun violence touches every community, and meaningful change starts at the ballot box. If we want laws reflecting the will of Texans who value safety, we must elect leaders who prioritize people over special interests.

Every vote counts, especially in state elections. So, get informed, stay engaged, and make your voice heard. There are only 661 days until the next election😉.

They’re counting on us to stay home. Prove them wrong.

• January 14: The 89th Legislative Session begins.

• March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.

• June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.

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