HB 3053: Prohibiting Local Government Firearm Buyback Programs

HB 3053, authored by Representative Virdell during the 89th Texas Legislature, prohibits municipalities and counties from organizing, sponsoring, or participating in firearm buyback programs.

These programs, often promoted as tools for reducing gun violence, use public funds to purchase firearms from private citizens—frequently with no questions asked and no meaningful impact on crime. HB 3053 ensures that taxpayer dollars are not used to disarm law-abiding Texans under the guise of “safety.”

The bill explicitly bars local governments from using public resources to conduct any initiative aimed at:

• Reducing the number of civilian-owned firearms,

• Removing firearms from circulation,

• Encouraging the anonymous surrender of lawfully owned firearms.

By passing HB 3053, Texas is standing strong against symbolic anti-gun efforts and reaffirming that disarmament schemes have no place in our communities. Instead of wasting resources on failed policies, our focus must remain on upholding the rights of law-abiding citizens and addressing crime through effective law enforcement.

GOA proudly supports this legislation as a key step in protecting your Second Amendment rights from local government overreach.