Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Texas: Attorney General Ken Paxton Issues Key Opinion on State Firearms Preemption Law

Friday, May 31, 2019

Texas: Attorney General Ken Paxton Issues Key Opinion on State Firearms Preemption Law

On Friday, May 24, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an important opinion clarifying Texas’ State Firearms Preemption Law.

Back in February, State Senator Donna Campbell (R-SD 25) -- whose district includes part of San Antonio -- requested an opinion from the Attorney General on three potential ordinances that a committee of the San Antonio City Council had begun studying last fall.  Her request asked whether the Section 229.001 of the Texas Local Government Code (otherwise known as the state firearms preemption law) preempted a city from enacting regulations that (1) prohibit firearm and ammunition sales within 1,000 feet of any school or church; (2) restrict the location of a business that sells guns or ammunition to the highest-density commercial areas; and (3) prohibit gun stores from locating within 200 feet of schools, public parks or places of worship.

General Paxton ruled that the proposed regulations prohibit or restrict a business or business location solely because the business involves the sale of firearms and ammunition, and a regulation which expressly identifies and prohibits gun stores from operating in a specific area is prohibited by the state firearms preemption law.  Also, an ordinance that singles out firearms and ammunition sales is similarly prohibited.  Lastly, he ruled that a violation of Section 229.001 of the Local Government Code may be enforced by the Attorney General and any plaintiff with standing under the Texas Constitution or U.S. Constitution could bring an action seeking declaratory or injunctive relief against enforcement of such an illegal ordinance. 

NRA-ILA applauds General Paxton's ruling and thanks Senator Campbell and her staff for their diligent work on the opinion request.  This important opinion affirms the intent and application of the state's firearms preemption law, an important safeguard to ensure uniformity of gun laws and to prevent cities from enacting arbitrary local restrictions that would result in a patchwork of confusing and conflicting regulations across Texas.

 

IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas Firearms Preemption
TRENDING NOW
Due Process: The Backbone of Legal Legitimacy

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

Due Process: The Backbone of Legal Legitimacy

Close observers of the gun debate often see references to due process.

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Pure gun control. As in disarmament and banning of firearms. It’s rare that anti-gunners get straight to the exact point that we have been warning of for decades. 

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Yesterday, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Siegel v. Platkin, striking some of the carry restrictions New Jersey enacted in response to the NRA’s landmark Supreme Court victory, New York State Rifle & ...

The Desperate Deflection to the “Red State Murder Problem”

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

The Desperate Deflection to the “Red State Murder Problem”

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) may have thought he had scored against President Donald Trump in a recent war of words over rampant crime and the deployment of federal law enforcement agents to Democratic-led cities

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Challenge to Washington’s Magazine Ban

Monday, September 8, 2025

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Challenge to Washington’s Magazine Ban

Today, the National Rifle Association filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari in a case challenging Washington State’s ban on firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

Monday, September 15, 2025

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

On Friday the California State Legislature adjourned the 2025 legislative session in typical California fashion, advancing anti-gun legislation to Governor Newsom's desk. Contact Governor Newsome today and urge his veto of AB 1078, AB 1127, AB ...

Illinois: Governor Signs Mandatory Firearm Storage Law

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Illinois: Governor Signs Mandatory Firearm Storage Law

Earlier this month, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 8 into law. This legislation imposes new mandatory firearm storage requirements on law-abiding gun owners.  

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

Friday, September 12, 2025

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

On Monday, September 15th, the Minnesota Senate will hold a special working group on "gun violence prevention."

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

As U.S. shooting sports athletes prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, New York law is burdening target shooters in the Empire State.

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

We frequently post stories about law-abiding citizens who, by exercising their rights protected under the Second Amendment, bring an end to violent criminal assaults.  

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.