The Texas Senate has given preliminary approval to House Bill 3053, which would prohibit cities and counties from organizing or funding gun buyback programs, moving the measure closer to becoming law.
Introduced by Rep. Wesley Virdell (R-Brady), HB 3053 seeks to amend the Texas Local Government Code to bar municipalities and counties from using public funds or resources to purchase firearms from civilians with the intent of reducing private gun ownership. The bill, which has already passed the House, also prevents local governments from partnering with nonprofits or law enforcement to sponsor such events. It awaits final Senate approval before heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
Supporters, including State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood), argue the bill curbs ineffective initiatives that undermine Second Amendment rights. They contend gun buyback programs, often promoted as public safety measures, are largely symbolic, collecting obsolete or non-functional firearms without significantly reducing gun violence.
The bill is “a necessary guardrail against misuse of local authority,” Hall said.
Opponents, including some city officials and gun safety advocates, argue the programs offer a voluntary way for residents to dispose of unwanted firearms, potentially preventing accidents or theft. They view HB 3053 as part of a broader trend of state interference in local governance, limiting communities’ ability to address local safety concerns.
The legislation aligns with other firearms-related proposals in the current session, including efforts to expand permitless carry and restrict local regulation of gun storage. According to the Legislative Budget Board, HB 3053 is expected to have no fiscal impact on state or local governments, as it does not impose new costs or require additional expenditures. The bill may even result in minor savings for jurisdictions that would otherwise fund buyback programs.
If signed into law, HB 3053 would take effect September 1, 2025, halting all publicly sponsored gun buyback events in Texas. The measure reflects a broader push to protect individual liberty and private property rights, according to Texas Policy Research, which recommends lawmakers support the bill to prevent local governments from using taxpayer funds to influence firearm ownership.