Gun Owners of America Texas has proposed five Second Amendment resolutions for the 2026 Republican Party of Texas platform, pushing to expand constitutional carry rights and strengthen self-defense protections.

The proposals target age restrictions that federal courts have already ruled unconstitutional, along with gaps in Texas self-defense law that leave justified defenders vulnerable to prosecution and civil lawsuits.

Why it matters: These platform planks could drive the 2025 legislative agenda if adopted, potentially making Texas the most gun-friendly state in the nation.

• The proposals build on momentum from recent legislative wins, including new laws that took effect January 1st allowing short-barrel firearms and banning red flag orders.
• GOA Texas is leveraging successful court challenges like Andrews v. McCraw to push lawmakers beyond incremental reforms.

The big picture: The proposed changes reflect a coordinated strategy to align Texas law with recent federal court rulings on Second Amendment rights.

• Federal courts have repeatedly struck down age-based restrictions on carry rights for adults 18-20.
• Current Texas law still contains the unconstitutional provisions, creating confusion for law enforcement and legal gun owners.

What they're proposing: The five resolutions cover constitutional carry expansion, self-defense protections, and civil immunity reforms.

• Age equality: Allow adults 18-20 to carry handguns and obtain licenses, matching rights already recognized by federal courts.
• Pre-trial hearings: Create a mechanism for justified defenders to assert self-defense claims before trial, rather than waiting months or years.
• Civil immunity: Provide presumptive immunity and attorney fee recovery for cleared defenders facing frivolous lawsuits.
• Expanded justification: Allow force or deadly force to prevent any violent felony, not just current enumerated crimes.
• Threat defense: Protect licensed carriers who display weapons to deter unlawful force from aggravated assault charges.

Between the lines: The timing isn't coincidental—these proposals come as Texas lawmakers have already passed several pro-gun bills in recent sessions.

• Senate Bill 1362 banned enforcement of out-of-state red flag orders, making it a felony for officials to confiscate guns under civil protection orders.
• Senate Bill 1596 eliminated state penalties for owning unregistered short-barrel rifles and shotguns.
• Senate Bill 3053 completely banned local gun buyback programs.

The self-defense gap: Current Texas law leaves justified defenders vulnerable even when they act lawfully.

• No pre-trial relief exists for self-defense claims, forcing innocent people through months of expensive litigation.
• Civil immunity provisions are weak, failing to deter frivolous lawsuits against justified defenders.
• Aggravated assault charges can still stick when someone displays a weapon to deter a threat, even if the threat would justify deadly force.

What's already changed: Recent legislative sessions have steadily expanded gun rights while blocking new restrictions.

• House Bill 668 extended handgun license renewal deadlines to reduce administrative burdens.
• House Bill 1234 created an appeal process for medical denials of carry licenses.
• Senate Bill 706 established reciprocity with other states' carry permits.
• House Bill 1403 protected foster families from having to disclose firearm specifics to placement agencies.
• House Bill 1794 eliminated the ban on carrying at polling places during elections.

By the numbers: Texas continues moving away from gun restrictions despite national trends.

• 21 states have red flag laws—Texas now explicitly bans them and makes enforcement a felony.
• Adults 18-20 can legally carry in Texas under constitutional carry, but still can't get licenses due to outdated statutes.
• $442 million in local tax revenue will be lost from business inventory exemptions—part of the broader deregulation push.

What this means for you: If adopted, these platform planks would likely drive legislative priorities for the next session.

• Young adults would gain full carry rights with licensing options for reciprocity.
• Self-defense cases would get faster resolution through pre-trial hearings.
• Civil lawsuits against justified defenders would face stronger deterrents.
• Violent crime victims would have clearer legal protection when using force.

The bottom line: Texas Republicans are positioning the state as the national leader on Second Amendment rights, using court victories to push beyond traditional legislative incrementalism.

Go deeper:

• GOA Texas proposed platform resolutions
• Texas Tribune coverage of recent gun legislation
• NRA-ILA analysis of Texas House bills
• Overview of new Texas laws taking effect

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Steve Duskett

Join the Discussion

If constitutional carry does get expanded to 18-year-olds in Texas, do you think that's the right move, or are there practical training/safety concerns worth considering at that age?