Laws

California vs Texas: Gun Laws Status

California currently falls into the restrictive category, while Texas falls into the permissive category.

California flag
California
CA · West
Restrictive
Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).
Texas flag
Texas
TX · South
Permissive
Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).

Related context

Laws in Context

Gun policy alongside the broader regulatory environment.

MetricCaliforniaTexas
Marijuana Status Legal Medical Alcohol System License State License State State Color Solid Blue Solid Red Violent Crime / 100k 499.5 431.8
California
Restrictive
Texas
Permissive

People also ask

California vs Texas Gun Laws Status — common questions

QWhat is California's gun laws status?

California's gun laws status is Restrictive.

QWhat is Texas's gun laws status?

Texas's gun laws status is Permissive.

More comparisons: California vs Texas

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Data source and freshness

Primary source
Giffords Law Center — Annual Gun Law Scorecard
Data period
Scorecard reviewed February 20, 2026
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
USA Symbol groups A–B grades as Restrictive and C–F grades as Permissive.