Texas Senate Moves to Ban Local Gun Buyback Programs

The Texas Senate just took a big step toward banning cities and counties from hosting gun buyback events. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a smart move to stop “government waste” or a serious overreach that cuts off local control. Here’s what’s really going on and what it could mean for your city.

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How Gun Buyback Programs Work in San Antonio, Houston, and Beyond

Gun buyback programs are exactly what they sound like. Local governments host events where people can voluntarily turn in firearms and get gift cards in exchange. There’s no police report, no legal red tape, just a simple way to get rid of unwanted guns.

San Antonio and Houston have both held successful events. According to local leaders, people show up with old rifles, broken handguns, and even entire collections they inherited. Some see it as a public safety win. Others just want to clean out a closet and get a little money for something they aren’t using.

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What the Texas Bill Would Actually Block

House Bill 3053 would stop any local government in Texas from organizing or funding gun buyback events. If it passes, cities would no longer be allowed to use their own money or resources to hold these programs.

Supporters of the bill, like Republican State Senator Bob Hall, argue that buybacks are ineffective and do little to reduce crime. He believes public money should not be used to collect guns in exchange for gift cards. His suggestion? If people want to get rid of a firearm, they should just sell it.

Why Critics Say This Bill Is About Power, Not Public Safety

Not everyone agrees with that take. Democratic lawmakers argue the bill is less about crime and more about power. They say it’s another example of the state stepping in and telling cities how to manage their own business.

State Senator Royce West of Dallas asked why city councils can’t decide what’s best for their own communities. His message was simple: local leaders are closer to the people they serve, so they should have a bigger say in what works.

Senator Roland Gutierrez from San Antonio pointed to a pattern. He said Republicans have pushed several policies that lean toward big government, like renaming the Gulf of Mexico or restricting social media. Yet now, those same lawmakers are telling cities not to run voluntary gun buyback events with their own money.

Houston Senator Borris Miles raised another concern. Not everyone has the knowledge or internet access to sell a gun safely. Without buyback programs, some people might just toss old firearms in the trash, which could be dangerous. He argued that these events provide a safer alternative, especially for seniors or families dealing with estates.

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What’s Next for Gun Buyback Programs in Texas?

The bill still needs one more vote before final approval in the Texas Senate. If it passes, cities across Texas will lose the ability to organize or fund any kind of gun buyback program—even if residents support it.

While this debate centers on firearms, it also raises a bigger question. Who gets to decide what public safety looks like in your community: your local city council or lawmakers in Austin? That’s the deeper issue playing out here, and it’s not likely to go away any time soon.