If you’re trying to figure out whether Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs) are legal in Texas, the honest answer is that it’s complicated. Texas itself does not have a state law that bans FRT triggers. So from a state-level point of view, there is no statute that says you can’t buy, own, or possess an FRT. That part is simple. The confusion comes from the federal side, because the ATF has spent the last few years fighting manufacturers, raiding sellers, seizing FRT devices, and claiming they function like machineguns. At the same time, federal courts — especially in Texas — have pushed back, saying the ATF can’t automatically call these triggers machineguns if the trigger still requires a separate function for each shot. This back-and-forth is what puts Texans in a grey area: the state doesn’t ban them, but the federal interpretation is still shifting. So the question is not just “Is it legal in Texas?” but “Could federal law still apply?” And the answer to that part is yes.
To understand why there’s so much confusion, you have to know what FRT triggers actually do. These triggers are designed to speed up how fast a semi-automatic rifle can fire by forcing the trigger to reset more quickly using recoil and bolt movement. On paper, the shooter still has to pull the trigger for every shot which is the legal requirement separating semi-autos from true machineguns. But the firing speed can get very close to full-auto style rates. That’s why the ATF argues that some FRTs simulate automatic fire and should be classified as machineguns under the National Firearms Act. Manufacturers and gun-rights groups disagree, saying these devices still require a new trigger pull every time, which fits the legal definition of semi-automatic.
Federal vs Texas Law
Texas law is actually the easy part: the state does not outlaw FRTs. There is no Texas Penal Code section saying they are illegal to buy or own. The state only restricts actual fully automatic weapons unless registered under federal law. Since FRTs are not automatically classified as machineguns under Texas law, state officers generally do not target them. That’s why many Texas gun owners say FRTs are “legal in Texas.”
The challenge comes from the federal level. Even though a Texas federal court ruled in 2024 that FRTs do not automatically meet the definition of a machinegun, the ATF had, for years, treated certain models — like the Rare Breed FRT-15 and the Wide Open Trigger — as illegal machineguns. The court ruling limited the ATF’s enforcement power, and a later 2025 settlement narrowed the kinds of FRTs the federal government can seize. But the ATF has not completely abandoned its position. In short: federal law still matters, and the ATF still has authority to enforce federal gun regulations inside Texas, even if Texas law doesn’t ban the device.
What This Means for Texas Gun Owners in 2025
For someone living in Texas, the reality looks like this:
- The state won’t charge you for having an FRT.
- Federal agents could still enforce federal law, depending on the device and circumstances.
- Some FRT models are safer legally than others, depending on how they function and whether they match the criteria outlined in recent court rulings.
- Using an FRT in a crime or irresponsible situation greatly increases risk, even if you legally owned the trigger.
So owning an FRT in Texas is not the same thing as owning a regular semi-auto trigger. You have to be aware that you’re in a legally unstable zone.
Why the Situation Is Still Unsettled
The biggest reason this isn’t fully resolved is that federal agencies and courts are still debating how these triggers should be classified. Even though one major court ruling in Texas favored FRT owners, that doesn’t automatically change federal policy everywhere. And because firearm definitions fall under federal law, the ATF can still enforce its interpretation unless a higher court or Congress changes the law.
Another issue is how FRTs behave in real-world use. If an FRT malfunctions or causes sustained rapid fire that looks like automatic fire, law enforcement may treat the firearm as a machinegun regardless of the mechanism inside. This is why lawyers often warn gun owners to be extremely cautious.
Final Word
FRT triggers are not banned by Texas state law, but they exist in a federal grey area that can still lead to serious legal trouble if the ATF decides your trigger meets the machinegun definition. Texas won’t prosecute you for having one, but Texas also can’t protect you from federal laws. If you choose to own an FRT, you need to stay updated, understand the federal risks, and be aware that the legal landscape could shift again at any time.
