Lawmakers Push to Remove Restrictions on Concealable Firearms

One of the most significant pieces of gun-related legislation is Senate Bill (SB) 1596, introduced by freshman Sen. Brent Hagenbuch (R-Denton). This bill revisits an issue from previous sessions, aiming to remove short-barrel rifles (SBRs) and shotguns from the list of prohibited weapons under the Texas Penal Code. Rep. Richard Hayes (R-Hickory Creek) is among several members of the House who have filed companion bills to support the measure. As reported by The Texan.

“The simple truth is that short-barrel firearms were never a problem, and continue to not be a problem,” Hagenbuch said. He explained that the National Firearms Act (NFA) of the 1930s, which Congress passed to regulate handguns, also created the category of “short-barrel rifle” to close a potential loophole that could allow people to modify rifles and shotguns into more concealable versions.

Hagenbuch also highlighted the inconsistency of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in its rulings on firearms with pistol stabilization braces, which the agency has sometimes classified as SBRs regulated by the NFA. He argued that this regulation could potentially criminalize “approximately 360,000” firearm owners.

However, opponents of the bill voiced strong concerns. Flo Rice, a survivor of the 2018 school shooting at Santa Fe High School, testified against SB 1596, emphasizing her belief that current laws requiring strict background checks help prevent minors from acquiring dangerous weapons. Rice recounted the traumatic experience of being shot in the legs by a 17-year-old gunman using a sawed-off shotgun, who went on to murder eight students and two teachers and injure 13 others. “It is by the grace of God that I am here today,” she said.

Nicole Golden from Texas Gun Sense also testified against the bill, arguing that the primary purpose of an SBR is to make a firearm more concealable, thereby increasing its lethality. She referenced the historical use of SBRs by mobsters and noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of regulations on SBRs.

Hagenbuch’s bill is not the only firearm-related measure gaining traction this session. SB 1362, introduced by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), seeks to prohibit “red flag” protection orders. The bill has already advanced through the Senate State Affairs Committee with near-unanimous support, suggesting it may move smoothly through the legislative process. Additionally, Rep. Virdell has filed House Bill (HB) 1923, which would eliminate the requirement for fingerprinting when obtaining a License to Carry a Handgun. Another bill, HB 2470, seeks to codify recent court decisions that allow citizens aged 18 to 20 to obtain Licenses to Carry.

While proponents argue that the Senate Bill (SB) 1596 seeks to rectify outdated regulations and prevent the criminalization of firearm owners, opponents like Flo Rice and Nicole Golden raise valid concerns about the potential risks posed by making these firearms more accessible. As lawmakers continue to debate this measure, it’s clear that the broader conversation about gun regulations remains a complex and deeply divided topic.