The Texas Senate gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill that would prevent cities or counties from holding a gun buyback program.

The proposal also seeks to stop local governments from sponsoring or organizing such a program.

Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are WATCH HERE

State Sen. Bob Hall , R-Edgewood, told lawmakers Monday it was a “necessary guardrail against misuse of local authority.”

Much of the debate on House Bill 3053 focused on the often fraught relationship between local governments and the state Legislature. State Republican lawmakers have spent multiple legislative sessions reining in city councils in the state’s largest metro areas, which are often run by Democrats.

Get top local stories delivered to you every morning with NBC DFW's News Headlines newslette

See Full Page