Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill removing short-barrel rifles and shotguns from the state’s prohibited weapons list. Texans can now legally own these firearms under state law, though federal restrictions still apply.
Key Facts:
- Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 1596 into law on June 22, 2025.
- The law removes short-barrel rifles and shotguns from Texas’ prohibited weapons list.
- SB 1596 goes into effect on September 1, 2025.
- The law does not eliminate federal oversight under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
- Buyers must still complete a background check, register the weapon, be fingerprinted, and pay a $200 federal tax.
The Rest of The Story:
Senate Bill 1596, passed by the Texas legislature and signed into law by Gov. Abbott, changes the state classification of certain firearms.
Effective September 1, 2025, short-barrel rifles and shotguns will no longer be prohibited under Texas law.
However, these weapons still fall under the authority of the National Firearms Act.
This means Texans can now legally own them at the state level but must still comply with federal regulations.
As “101.9 The Bull” reported, buyers must undergo a federal background check, submit fingerprints and a photograph, register the firearm with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and pay a $200 tax.
Although SB 1596 eases state restrictions, compliance with the federal rules remains mandatory.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate is working on broader reforms under a proposal known as Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which could potentially remove some of the federal barriers to ownership.
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Commentary:
This move is a win for law-abiding Texans who believe in their right to protect themselves without excessive state interference.
Gov. Abbott has shown once again that he’s willing to stand up for citizens’ rights against arbitrary gun control policies.
Laws that ban specific firearm configurations often do more harm than good.
Criminals do not follow registration rules, undergo background checks, or pay taxes to the ATF.
These laws only limit access for responsible gun owners, not those with criminal intent.
Short-barrel rifles and shotguns are not inherently more dangerous than other firearms.
The restrictions placed on them were always more about optics than safety.
By aligning state law with common sense, Texas allows more freedom of choice for gun owners.
Gov. Abbott’s decision respects personal responsibility and trusts citizens to follow the law.
Texans can still only obtain these weapons through the rigorous federal NFA process, which weeds out bad actors while allowing legitimate users access.
This also sends a message to Washington: states are tired of federal red tape standing in the way of constitutional rights.
The federal tax and bureaucratic hurdles serve no meaningful public safety purpose.
If the U.S. Senate follows through with reforms in Trump’s proposed bill, we could see a nationwide shift that empowers responsible ownership instead of restricting it.
Texas has once again taken the lead in defending gun rights while maintaining legal accountability.
This balance is what responsible governance looks like—freedom with responsibility.
The Bottom Line:
Texas is removing state-level restrictions on short-barrel firearms, but owners must still comply with federal rules.
Gov. Abbott’s decision strengthens personal liberty without compromising public safety.
It’s a strong step toward correcting overreaching gun laws that have done little to stop crime but much to hinder lawful ownership.
Texans will soon have more freedom to exercise their rights under both the state and federal system.
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