HB 1138
AN ACT relating to the authority of a municipality or county to regulate or
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Limits the ability of municipalities and counties to regulate firearm carrying in public spaces, particularly in libraries. It specifically prevents local governments from prohibiting firearm carrying by certain individuals, such as active military, peace officers, and licensed security personnel, in county or municipal libraries. The bill ensures broader firearm carry rights at the local level, restricting local authorities' power to create more stringent firearm regulations in public spaces.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the authority of a municipality or county to regulate or prohibit the carrying of a firearm on the premises of certain BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 229.001, Local Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d-2) to (b) Subsection (a) does not affect the authority a municipality has under another law to: (1) require residents or public employees to be armed for personal or national defense, law enforcement, or another (2) regulate the discharge of firearms or air guns within the limits of the municipality, other than at a sport (3) except as provided by Subsection (b-1), adopt or enforce a generally applicable zoning ordinance, land use regulation, fire code, or business ordinance; (4) regulate the storage or transportation of explosives to protect public health and safety, except that 25 pounds or less of black powder for each private residence and 50 pounds or less of black powder for each retail dealer are not (5) regulate the carrying of an air gun or firearm, other than a handgun carried by a person not otherwise prohibited by law from carrying a handgun, at a: (B) public meeting of a municipality, county, or (C) political rally, parade, or official (D) nonfirearms-related school, college, or (6) regulate the carrying of a firearm by a person licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, in accordance with Section 411.209, Government (7) regulate the hours of operation of a sport shooting range, except that the hours of operation may not be more limited than the least limited hours of operation of any other business in the municipality other than a business permitted or licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises (8) regulate the carrying of an air gun by a minor on: (B) private property without consent of the (9) except as provided by Subsection (d-1), regulate or prohibit an employee's carrying or possession of a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition in the course of the employee's (10) except as provided by Subsection (d-2), regulate or prohibit the carrying of a firearm on the premises of a library established and operated by the municipality. (d-2) Subsection (b)(10) does not authorize a municipality to regulate or prohibit the carrying of a firearm by a person described by Section 46.15(a)(1) or (b)(1), Penal Code, or by a person who is otherwise authorized to carry a firearm under a license or commission issued under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code. SECTION 2. Section 236.002, Local Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (e-1) to (c) Subsection (a) does not affect the authority of a county (1) require a resident or public employee to be armed for personal or national defense, law enforcement, or other purpose (2) regulate the discharge of firearms or air guns in accordance with Section 235.022; (3) regulate the carrying of a firearm by a person licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, in accordance with Section 411.209, Government (4) except as provided by Subsection (d), adopt or enforce a generally applicable land use regulation, fire code, or (5) except as provided by Subsection (e), regulate or prohibit an employee's carrying or possession of a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition in the course of the employee's official (6) except as provided by Subsection (e-1), regulate or prohibit the carrying of a firearm on the premises of a library established and operated by the county. (e-1) Subsection (c)(6) does not authorize a county to regulate or prohibit the carrying of a firearm by a person described by Section 46.15(a)(1) or (b)(1), Penal Code, or by a person who is otherwise authorized to carry a firearm under a license or commission issued under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Weapons and related subject areas.
Beverly C. Cornwell
PremiumKy Ash
Galt Graydon
Christopher Hughes
Bill Jones
David Doran Parker
Ashley Michelle Juergens
Brandon Todd Aghamalian
Carley Butler
Drew Deberry
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the authority of a municipality or county to regulate or
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