Yes, currently in Texas you may legally possess and use magazines that hold 30 rounds (or more) until September 1, 2025. As of that date, a new law (HB 481) will take effect making the possession or transfer of a “large‐capacity magazine” (one capable of more than 10 rounds) a Class A misdemeanor, with a “grandfather” defense for those who lawfully possessed such magazines before August 31, 2025.
What Texas State Law Currently Says About Magazines
Until the effective date of HB 481, Texas has no statewide law limiting the capacity of detachable magazines. According to the Giffords Law Center, Texas was one of the states without restrictions on magazine size. This meant larger-capacity magazines—such as those holding 30 rounds or more—were legal under state law so long as other requirements (for example, lawful firearm ownership) were met.
However, the newly passed bill will change that. HB 481 defines a “large-capacity magazine” as a detachable ammunition feeding device that either “has the capacity to accept, or can be readily converted to accept, more than 10 rounds.” Under the law:
- Knowing possession or transfer of such a magazine after the effective date is a Class A misdemeanor.
- A person has a defense to prosecution if the magazine was lawfully possessed on August 31, 2025.
- The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
What This Means for Magazine Owners
If you possess a magazine with capacity greater than 10 rounds right now (before September 1, 2025), you are in the “grandfather” window. That means you may continue possessing it if you lawfully owned it before the effective date. But after September 1, 2025:
- Possessing a large-capacity magazine (>10 rounds) could lead to a Class A misdemeanor charge.
- Transferring, selling, renting, leasing, giving, or otherwise providing such a magazine to another person will also be prohibited.
- Even after the law takes effect, the defense provision only covers magazines lawfully possessed on August 31, 2025. Magazines acquired after that date do not carry the same immunity.
In practice this means:
- Before September 1, 2025: You may buy, sell or transfer high-capacity magazines (though federal law and federal import/transfer rules still apply).
- On or after September 1, 2025: New purchases or transfers of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds may be illegal under Texas law unless you are a peace officer or military member on duty (those are exempted in the bill).
Why This Update Matters
This shift marks a major change in Texas magazine policy. For years Texas allowed high-capacity magazines without state restriction. With HB 481, Texans will soon face state-level capacity limits. Although many states have banned large-capacity magazines, Texas had resisted doing so; this law signals a new direction.
Because the law includes a grandfather clause, current owners have time to prepare and adjust. But after the effective date, buying new or transferring large-capacity magazines without following legal paths could result in criminal liability.
Final Answer
As of now, yes—they are legal. But that legal status changes on September 1, 2025, when HB 481 becomes effective. After that date, magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds will be regulated as “large-capacity magazines,” and possession or transfer may be a Class A misdemeanor—with limited defense available only for magazines possessed lawfully before August 31, 2025.
