Gun Rights

Cornyn co-authored the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022) with Sen. Chris Murphy — the first major federal gun-safety legislation in nearly 30 years — which expanded background checks for buyers under 21, closed the 'boyfriend loophole' for domestic abusers, funded state red-flag programs without mandating them, and authorized $13B in school mental-health funding. The NRA downgraded his rating from A+ to A in response, and Gun Owners of America has explicitly opposed Cornyn over BSCA — the same group endorsing Paxton in this primary. He previously authored the Fix NICS Act (2018) after the Sutherland Springs church shooting in his hometown region. He otherwise opposes assault-weapons bans, universal background checks beyond the 21-and-under expansion, and high-capacity-magazine restrictions, and has been a strong Second Amendment voice in floor speeches and committee work. The BSCA vote is the single sharpest substantive issue line in this primary — the moment Paxton's campaign cites most often.