✅Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain retired county court judges.

HB 1506

✅ HB 1506: Expedited handgun licenses for retired county judges

What it says it does:
HB 1506 updates the state definition of “retired judicial officer” so that retired judges of constitutional county courts and statutory county courts who have served at least four years can apply for an expedited license to carry a handgun.

What it actually changes:
It adds this group of retired judges to an existing list of judicial officers eligible for faster processing under the Department of Public Safety’s licensing system. The same background checks, eligibility rules, and training standards still apply. This is a definitional expansion, not a new permit system.

Who is pushing for it:
Supported in committee by judges’ associations and pro–Second Amendment advocacy groups, including Gun Owners of America (Texas) and Texas Gun Rights. Authored by Rep. Ashby and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. King.

Who benefits:
Retired county-level judges who may still face threats or retaliation from past cases gain quicker access to handgun licenses for personal protection.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Other public servants in high-risk roles, such as prosecutors or law enforcement retirees not already covered by existing law, remain outside the expedited process.

Why this matters long term:
This bill recognizes legitimate security concerns for a defined group of former public officials without changing broader firearm policy or diverting public funds. It also sets a modest precedent for expanding expedited licensing to other professions based on safety risk.

What to watch next:
Future legislative sessions could see proposals from other occupational groups seeking similar treatment. Lawmakers will need to decide where to draw the line for who qualifies as “high-risk.”

Bottom line:
HB 1506 is a narrowly written, fiscally neutral measure that delivers a clear safety benefit for retired county judges while keeping existing licensing safeguards intact.

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