In the wake of violent anti-ICE riots, Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a law protecting police who use “less-lethal force.”
Abbott announced on June 10 that he signed Senate Bill 2570, which allows prison guards and police officers to use “less-lethal force” while executing their “official duties.”
“To have their back, I am signing a law to ensure they can use every tool available to combat criminals without being targeted by rogue prosecutors,” Abbott posted to X. “We support our law enforcement officers.”
Our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines to KEEP Texas a law and order state.
To have their back, I am signing a law to ensure they can use every tool available to combat criminals without being targeted by rogue prosecutors.
We support our law enforcement officers. pic.twitter.com/ugfpHgWZhL
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 10, 2025
This comes in the wake of violent anti-ICE riots, as The Dallas Express previously reported, and ahead of expected “protests“ on June 14.
The bill protects a correctional officer or “peace officer” who uses “less-lethal” weapons in the line of duty. It defines these weapons as anything that can “expel a projectile or multiple projectiles against a target,” aiming to “temporarily incapacitate… while minimizing the risk of serious bodily injury or death.” It also includes a “chemical dispensing device,” a “device used to strike a person,” or a stun gun.
A prison guard or police officer is “justified” in using such force when he or she “reasonably believes” it was necessary to accomplish “official duties,” and that it complies with his or her training.
“Our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines to KEEP Texas a law and order state,” Abbott wrote on X.
The protections only apply on or after the bill’s effective date. With a vote of ⅔ of each chamber, the bill would take effect immediately. Without such a vote, it would take effect September 1.
The state Senate passed the bill by 20 to 11 on April 28 and passed an amendment on May 26 by 21-10. The state House also passed it by 101 to 35 on May 22.
Abbott signed the bill after the recent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. On June 9, the Dallas Police Department arrested at least one rioter when an anti-ICE “protest” turned violent.
The same day Abbott announced the bill signing, he also announced he was deploying the Texas National Guard to “locations across the state.”
“Peaceful protest is legal,” he wrote on X. “Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest.”
The Dallas Express contacted Abbott’s office for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.