Just days after Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrats seized control of the Texas House for the first time since 2002, the party wasted no time launching a full-scale assault on the Second Amendment.
On Monday, November 9, 2026, the very first day lawmakers could prefile bills for the 90th Legislature, Democrats introduced a package of roughly 20 (NRA-ILA counts roughly 35 total firearm-related bills, the vast majority anti-gun) sweeping new restrictions.
The 2027 session does not even convene until January 12, yet the gun-control agenda is already on full display.
Here are some of the other major firearm restrictions Democrats filed Monday:
SB 80 (Sen. Judith Zaffirini): A ban on so-called “assault weapons,” including possession. The bill targets commonly owned semiautomatic centerfire rifles that accept detachable magazines and feature features such as pistol grips. Bill text: capitol.texas.gov SB 80.
HB 218 (Rep. Ann Johnson of Houston): Repeals the 2025 Texas law (SB 1362, signed by Gov. Abbott) that banned red-flag orders and blocked localities from enforcing them. It creates extreme risk protective orders allowing family members, household members, or law enforcement to petition a court. A judge can issue a temporary ex parte order without notifying the gun owner or holding a hearing, forcing surrender of firearms to police within 24 hours. A full hearing comes later (within 14 days), after which the order can last a year and be renewed. Possession in violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Bill text: capitol.texas.gov HB 218.
HB 173 (Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso) and related bills (HB 606, HB 610, HB 771, HB 806, HB 857): Make it a state jail felony to transfer many semiautomatic rifles (those accepting detachable magazines and chambered larger than .22) to adults under 21. Exceptions exist for law enforcement, military, and some temporary loans, but the core restriction targets military-age adults.
HB 613: Imposes so-called universal background checks on private firearm transfers.
