For years, Texas gun owners have had to tiptoe around one of the more senseless contradictions in gun law: the short-barreled rifle (SBR) and short-barreled shotgun (SBS) ban. According to Section 46.05 of the Texas Penal Code, it’s a felony to possess, manufacture, or sell a rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches or a shotgun under 18 inches—or any such firearm with an overall length under 26 inches—unless it’s registered under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
On paper, Texas law lined up with the Feds: register your SBR or SBS with the ATF, pay your $200, pass the background check, and you’re good. In practice, it was a different story. Even if you had your paperwork in order, local law enforcement sometimes ignored the federal exception. Law-abiding owners could theoretically find themselves arrested, have their guns seized, or face felony charges—just for owning what the federal government already approved.
Enter SB 1596. Set to take effect September 1, 2025, this bill clarifies once and for all that NFA-registered SBRs and SBSs are legal in Texas. If you’ve done your part with the ATF, Texas can’t double up and punish you for the same thing. The goal is simple: end the confusion, stop redundant prosecutions, and treat law-abiding gun owners like adults.
Representative Richard Hayes (R) summed it up: “Think of the irony. You can have a handgun, you can have a long gun, but you can't have a long gun with a short barrel. But the pistol barrel is shorter than the short-barreled firearm.”
Opponents say SBRs and SBSs are dangerous and too easy to conceal. Let’s be honest: pistols are more concealable, and all NFA firearms are already some of the most heavily regulated guns in America. SB 1596 doesn’t suddenly make it easy to get an SBR or SBS. You still have to jump through all the federal hoops. It just means Texas won’t add a second layer of legal trouble on top.
Here’s what it means for Texas gun owners:
- If your SBR or SBS is registered with the ATF, you’re protected under both state and federal law.
- If it’s not registered, nothing has changed—you’re still facing felony charges.
SB 1596 is a rare case of lawmakers applying some common sense. It removes a legal headache for responsible gun owners and reminds us why it’s critical to keep an eye on state gun laws and push back on anything that makes honest citizens criminals by default.
The bill is intended to take effect on September 1, 2025. Until then, the old rules are still in force. But after that, Texas will finally stop pretending it knows better than the feds when it comes to SBRs and SBSs—and responsible gun owners can breathe a little easier.
