El Paso County residents flock to the Ascarate County Tax Office for the last gun buyback event before a new Texas law, House Bill 3053, takes effect on September 1st, prohibiting such programs. Local officials, including County Commissioner Jackie Butler and Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, have long supported these initiatives, which offer gift cards up to $200 in exchange for unwanted firearms, aiming to reduce gun-related incidents and promote safety in homes.
The impending legislation has raised concerns among community leaders, especially as juvenile offenses involving firearms rise sharply, with 46 incidents reported by mid-August 2025, compared to 38 the previous year. As Butler emphasizes the need for safe firearm storage and education, this final event signifies not only a shift in local policy but also the ongoing struggle to address firearm safety in an era of tightening regulations.
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