We Demand
Emergency Powers Reform In Texas

Hey friend,

The last thing we would want is for any elected official to use the guise of an “emergency” to infringe on our gun rights. 

Unfortunately, Texas law allows a Texas Governor to use disaster or emergency declarations to restrict our ability to buy and sell, transport, carry, and use our firearms and ammunition. 

We’re thankful that Governor Abbott did not use this power during the ongoing disaster declarations. But we shouldn't have to rely on the goodwill of any future governor to protect our rights. During a time of disaster, it is especially critical for Texans to be able to buy, carry, and use firearms. 

So we’re very happy that many legislators have filed bills to repeal these highly-infringing emergency powers, and that Lt. Gov. Patrick has prioritized this issue in the Senate. 

HB 1500 by Rep. Hefner & SB 18 by Sen. Creighton would: 

• Repeal a Texas Governor’s ability to regulate or control firearms during a disaster or state of emergency 

• Prohibit a Texas Governor from using an emergency directive to prohibit or restrict the business or operations of a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, supplier, or retailer, or a sport shooting range

• Repeal municipalities’ possible ability to regulate the use of firearms, air guns, or knives in the case of an insurrection, riot, or natural disaster 

• Codify Attorney General Paxton's opinion that preemption law trumps a local governments' ability to shut down gun businesses 

Several other bills would also repeal the Governor’s emergency powers to regulate or control firearms: 

HB 26 (Swanson) | SB 547 (Springer)  

HB 340 (Cain), HB 629 (White & Slaton), HB 1690 (Tinderholt) 

HJR 40 (White) (proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to remove a Governor's power to suspend or limit the sale or transportation of firearms) 

Click here to see our Repeal Emergency Powers handout that you can share with others—including your legislators. 

Take Action 

We need you to tell your legislators to coauthor Repeal of Emergency Powers in Texas!  

Here are two options: 

Option A: Click and Send 

Use our easy email form to send a message to your State Representative and State Senator. If your representative is listed above as authoring a bill to repeal emergency powers, tell them thank you! Otherwise, ask them to co-author HB 1500 & SB 18. 

Please note that we ask you to write your own subject line and a brief message—your emails are far more effective this way. 

Click for our form that automatically finds your legislators. 

Option B: Set a Meeting 

Although this option takes more effort, it also can be much more effective. 

Here’s what to do: 

1. Enter your address at this link to find your legislators.  
    
2. Call the Capitol Office phone numbers of your State Representative and State Senator. Ask to set a meeting to speak with your Representative or Senator. It's fine to have a Zoom meeting. If the legislator is not available for a meeting, ask to meet with the Chief of Staff and/or Legislative Director.  
    

3. At the meeting, tell the legislator (or staff member) why you care about your right to keep and bear arms. Give them our Repeal Emergency Powers handout and ask them to co-author Repeal of Emergency Powers – HB 1500 & SB 18. (If you meet on Zoom, email them the handout ahead of time.) 

If you need help doing this, or want to be connected with other GOA activists in your district, text me at 512-937-3006 or set a Zoom meeting with me. 

I’m counting on you to stand up for your gun rights! 

In Liberty, 

Rachel Malone 
GOA Texas Director 
Gun Owners of America