Harris County Firearms: Local Firearms Preemption Rules (2026)

Texas Government Code chapter 236, enacted in 2021, expressly preempts counties from regulating the transfer, possession, ownership, transport, licensing, registration, or discharge of firearms beyond what state law permits. Harris County Commissioners Court cannot impose permit requirements, registries, taxes, or local background-check rules. The Texas Attorney General may sue noncompliant counties under chapter 2160 and recover civil penalties. The Harris County Sheriff Office offers LTC fingerprinting and enforces state firearm law in unincorporated areas, jails, and county buildings. Counties retain narrow authority under Local Government Code 235.022 to limit firearm discharge in certain unincorporated platted subdivisions. Harris County has no countywide firearm ordinance.