Texas Democrats Pivot from ‘Affordability’ to Sweeping Gun Control After Election Sweep
by David Hawkins
Texas Democrats wasted no time targeting the Second Amendment after winning control of statewide offices and the Texas House, prefiling more than 20 firearm-related bills that would restrict gun transfers, ownership, purchases, and possession.
The avalanche of anti-gun legislation came after Democrats campaigned heavily on affordability and the cost of living in the November 3 midterms.
Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa (D-TX) defeated Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), while James Talarico (D-TX) defeated Ken Paxton (R-TX) in the U.S. Senate race.
Democrats also won the lieutenant governor’s office, attorney general’s office, and other statewide positions.
But when legislative prefiling opened on November 9, Democrats turned their attention to gun control.
Snopes identified 25 firearm-related measures by mid-November.
Other counts have put the total between roughly 20 and 35 bills, most of them proposing new restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.
Democrats Move to Expand “Red Flag” Gun Seizures
One proposal from State Rep. Ann Johnson (D-TX) would allow family members, household members, or police officers to ask a judge to seize someone’s firearms.
The legislation would revive a form of “red flag” gun confiscation that Texas had largely blocked in 2025.
Under Johnson’s bill, a judge could issue an emergency order based solely on written allegations that a gun owner presents an immediate danger due to serious mental illness.
The firearm owner could lose access to his guns before receiving notice or an opportunity to appear in court.
He would then be required to surrender his firearms, potentially within one day.
A full hearing would come only after the weapons had already been taken.
The order could remain in force for a year and be renewed.
Gun-rights advocates have long warned that red-flag laws strip Americans of constitutional rights without due process.