Following the November 2026 elections, newly empowered Democratic majorities and newly elected Democratic governors have rushed to pre-file or revive gun safety and restriction packages across several states.
Texas
Following a Democratic majority win in the Texas House and the election of Governor Gina Hinojosa, Democratic lawmakers pre-filed dozens of gun-related bills ahead of the 2027 legislative session (convening January 12, 2027):
- Red Flag Orders: House Bill 218 would repeal a 2025 state law that prohibited extreme risk protective orders (“red flag” laws), allowing judges to order the temporary surrender of firearms.
- Age Restrictions: House Bill 173 (filed by Rep. Joe Moody) would make it a state jail felony to transfer certain semiautomatic rifles capable of taking detachable magazines and chambered in calibers greater than .22 to individuals under 21 (with exceptions for military, law enforcement, and specific hunting/recreational uses).
- Reporting and Background Checks: Other pre-filed measures include universal background checks for private transfers and reporting requirements for multiple firearm or magazine purchases.
Minnesota
- Reviving Stalled Package: Governor-elect Amy Klobuchar and Minnesota Democrats (who hold majorities in both legislative chambers) plan to revive a comprehensive gun safety package that stalled during the 2026 session following the Annunciation Catholic school shooting.
- Proposed Rules: The legislation targets bans on certain semi-automatic assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines holding over 17 rounds, and restrictions on privately made “ghost guns”.
Pennsylvania & Other States
- Democratic Trifecta: Following the 2026 midterms, Pennsylvania Democrats secured a governing trifecta, opening paths to push long-sought proposals such as expanding background checks and banning untraceable firearms.
- Divided Government Push: In states like Ohio (where Democrat Amy Acton won the governorship) and Kansas, newly elected Democratic leadership face solid Republican-controlled state legislatures, limiting major new statewide restrictions.
