Texas GOP Proposes Constitutional Carry Expansion

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

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Read the original article in The Handbook | By Steve Duskett

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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?