GOA Texas 89th Legislative Session Recap: Victories, Progress, and the Fight Ahead

As the 89th Texas Legislative Session comes to a close, Gun Owners of America (GOA) Texas is proud to report major victories for your Second Amendment rights—alongside critical battles that laid the foundation for future success.

Thanks to the unwavering support of grassroots Texans, GOA tracked nearly 200 firearm-related bills, fought to advance our priority legislation, and successfully blocked every anti-gun bill from passing.

Major GOA-Priority Bills Passed

• SB 1596 – Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) Decriminalization
  Removes short-barreled firearms from the state’s prohibited weapons list, protecting lawful Texans from outdated penalties and aligning Texas law with federal standards.

• SB 706 – Handgun License Reciprocity
  Requires Texas to recognize handgun licenses from other states, strengthening the right to carry for lawful gun owners nationwide.

• HB 3053 – Gun Buyback Ban
  Prohibits local governments from using taxpayer dollars to fund ineffective and symbolic gun buyback programs.

Key Bills That Gained Ground

• HB 170 – Kyle’s Law
  Passed the Texas House with bipartisan support. Would provide civil immunity to law-abiding Texans who use justified force in self-defense. Blocked in Senate State Affairs Committee.

• HB 2458 – Clarification of Self-Defense Protections
  Passed the House 119–18. Would strengthen legal protections for those forced to defend themselves against violent threats.

• HB 2470 – Lowering the Carry Age to 18
  Heard in committee. Would align state law with federal court rulings that affirm the right of 18–20-year-olds to lawfully carry handguns.

What We Stopped

GOA fought back against proposals that would have expanded red flag policies, enabled local-level firearm restrictions, or created new bureaucratic hurdles for lawful gun owners. Your activism helped make that possible.

What Comes Next

Now, GOA Texas is shifting gears:

• Supporting pro-2A candidates for 2026

• Growing our grassroots volunteer network

• Fundraising to expand our reach in communities across Texas

We are also gearing up for our second annual GOALS (Gun Owners Advocacy & Leadership Summit)—a two-day national event that brings together youth leaders, activists, and 2A advocates from across the country.

GOALS 2025 – Knoxville, TN
August 9–10, 2025
Free for GOA members and families
Register Now

Full Legislative Tracker

Want to see every bill we tracked this session?

Click here for the GOA Texas 89th Session Tracker

Thank you for being part of the fight to preserve liberty in Texas. Because of you, GOA remains the strongest No Compromise voice for the Second Amendment in the Lone Star State.

Leigh Gibson
Texas State Director
Gun Owners of America