Texas Democrats Unleash Wave of Gun Control Legislation Ahead of 2027 Session

Texas Democrats Unleash Wave of Gun Control Legislation Ahead of 2027 Session

The surge in gun control proposals reflects a newly energized Democratic caucus in Austin, led largely by tenured lawmakers from urban districts such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and El Paso, alongside incoming representatives. In addition to reversing recent Republican-backed measures—such as Texas’s 2025 Anti-Red Flag Act—several bills aim to roll back existing state preemption laws and impose stricter criminal penalties on firearm-related offenses.

Despite the momentum in the House and the governor’s mansion, the legislation faces a steep climb when the 90th Legislature convenes on January 12, 2027. Republicans retained a slim majority in the Texas Senate, positioning the upper chamber as the primary battleground—and likely roadblock—for sweeping gun restrictions. Second Amendment organizations, including Texas Gun Rights and the NRA-ILA, have already mobilized opposition, labeling the package an aggressive push toward firearm registration and confiscation.

Complete List of Prefiled Democratic Gun Legislation

Below is the comprehensive breakdown of the firearm-related bills prefiled by Texas Democratic lawmakers for the 2027 legislative session:

Red Flag Laws & Firearm Surrender

HB 218 (Rep. Ann Johnson): Establishes Extreme Risk Protective Orders (red-flag laws), allowing family members, household members, or law enforcement officers to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed an immediate danger due to mental illness. It also repeals Chapter 7C of the Code of Criminal Procedure (the 2025 law prohibiting red-flag enforcement in Texas).
HB 660 (Rep. Joe Moody): Requires individuals who are already prohibited by law from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm (such as those under certain protective orders or bond conditions) to formally surrender or dispose of all firearms in their possession.

Age Restrictions & Semiautomatic Firearm Bans

SB 80 (Sen. Judith Zaffirini): Prohibits the transfer, purchase, and possession of defined “assault weapons”—including certain centerfire rifles, semiautomatic shotguns, and semiautomatic pistols—particularly targeting individuals under 21 years of age, while creating new criminal offenses.
HB 606 (Rep. Suleman Lalani): Bans the purchase, possession, or transfer of any firearm to individuals under 21 years of age.
HB 610 (Rep. Suleman Lalani): Prohibits the transfer of firearms to specific recipients younger than 21 years old.
HB 173 (Rep. Joe Moody): Makes it a criminal offense—and increases existing penalties—to transfer certain semiautomatic rifles to individuals under 21, with limited exceptions.
HB 857 (Rep. Rafael Anchía): Bans the transfer of certain semiautomatic rifles to recipients under 21 years of age, with specific exemptions.
HB 806 (Rep. Ron Reynolds): Prohibits the transfer of semiautomatic rifles to recipients younger than 21 years old.
HB 771 (Rep.-elect Pooja Sethi): Bans the transfer of semiautomatic rifles to recipients younger than 21 years old.
SB 327 (Sen. Roland Gutierrez): Prohibits the transfer of certain semiautomatic rifles to individuals younger than 21 years of age.

Background Checks, Reporting & Magazine Limits

HB 613 (Rep. Suleman Lalani): Mandates a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check for private firearm transfers and creates a new criminal offense for non-compliance.
HB 659 (Rep. Joe Moody): Requires federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) to report sales or transfers involving multiple firearms or multiple firearm magazines to law enforcement, creating a new criminal offense for failing to report.
HB 618 (Rep. Joe Moody): Prohibits the transfer of firearm magazines to individuals who are legally barred from possessing the type of firearm for which the magazine is designed.

Ghost Guns & 3D-Printed Firearms

SB 308 (Sen. Roland Gutierrez): Bans the manufacturing and possession of 3D-printed firearms and major firearm components, as well as the distribution or publication of digital files used to print them.

Child Access Prevention & Safe Storage

HB 609 (Rep. Suleman Lalani): Increases criminal penalties for failing to secure a firearm and making it accessible to a child.
HB 658 (Rep. Joe Moody): Revises prosecution standards, storage rules, and criminal penalties related to making a firearm accessible to a child.

Prohibited Persons & Liability

HB 576 (Rep. Suleman Lalani): Prohibits registered sex offenders from purchasing a firearm.
HB 612 (Rep. Suleman Lalani): Prohibits registered sex offenders from possessing a firearm.
HB 672 (Rep. Joe Moody): Establishes civil or criminal liability standards regarding firearm holds and transfers.

Location Restrictions & Discharge Penalties

HB 712 (Rep. Erin Gámez): Authorizes municipalities and counties to regulate or prohibit the carrying of firearms on the premises of certain public libraries.
HB 776 (Rep.-elect Pooja Sethi): Addresses school expulsion offenses involving possessing, carrying, exhibiting, or using a firearm on school property or within 1,000 feet of school grounds.
HB 103 (Rep. Mando Martinez): Expands the geographic areas in Texas where prosecutors can bring charges for the criminal offense of reckless discharge of a firearm.
HB 859 (Rep. Rafael Anchía): Increases criminal penalties for discharging a firearm within certain municipalities.