Why Has Fort Worth – One of America’s Most Conservative Cities – Hired an Anti-Gun Police Chief?

In a move sparking backlash from Second Amendment supporters, the city of Fort Worth has hired Eddie Garcia — the former police chief of Dallas and San Jose — as its next Chief of Police. Gun rights advocates are sounding the alarm, citing Garcia’s long and well-documented record of opposing constitutional carry, supporting California-style gun control, and pushing for “enhanced limitations” to the Second Amendment.

For a city like Fort Worth — often considered the nation’s most conservative large city — the choice is baffling.

Opposed Constitutional Carry and Civilian Rifle Ownership

During his tenure in Dallas, Garcia vocally opposed permitless carry, placing himself squarely against the will of Texas voters and the state legislature. Despite overwhelming support from grassroots Texans, Garcia parroted talking points from the gun control lobby, claiming it would make Texas more dangerous.

But it didn’t stop there.

As San Jose Police Chief, Garcia called for further restrictions on civilian ownership of AR-15s and questioned whether the Founding Fathers would have written the Second Amendment the same way if they had known about modern firearms — a tired trope often used by anti-gun politicians to justify new bans.

He went as far as to say the Second Amendment should be treated as a “living document” — a red flag for anyone who takes constitutional rights seriously. In the same interview, he referred to Black Lives Matter as a “valid movement.”

GLOCK Switch Comments Play into ATF Overreach

Garcia also earned headlines for his opposition to so-called “GLOCK switches” — conversion devices that can make a semi-automatic pistol fire full-auto.

While no serious gun rights group advocates for the use of these devices by criminals, Garcia’s statements lumped law-abiding gun owners in with criminals, calling for more sweeping ATF crackdowns and enforcement powers.

But let’s be clear: the no-compromise gun rights position doesn’t defend criminal use, it condemns the unconstitutional federal laws like the National Firearms Act that treat peaceful citizens like felons for owning certain parts or accessories. By embracing the ATF narrative, Garcia has shown he’s willing to side with agencies that are increasingly targeting lawful gun owners — not criminals.

“A Slap in the Face to Gun Owners”

Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights, didn’t mince words. “Appointing Eddie Garcia to lead law enforcement in one of the most conservative cities in America is a slap in the face to every gun owner in Fort Worth,” McNutt said.

“This is a man who fought against constitutional carry, supports limiting AR-15s, and wants to rewrite the Second Amendment to fit a progressive narrative. That’s not leadership — that’s cowardice wrapped in a badge.”

McNutt continued, “Texas Gun Rights will be watching Eddie Garcia closely — and we’ll continue mobilizing grassroots Texans to defend their rights at every level.”

Fort Worth’s decision is part of a troubling trend of importing left-leaning law enforcement leaders into cities that have long valued personal liberty and limited government. By hiring a man who embraces California-style policies and Washington D.C.-style doublespeak, Fort Worth risks eroding the very values that made it a bastion of freedom in the first place.

Gun owners in Fort Worth — and across Texas — should take note. This is why local elections and local appointments matter. Because one hire like this can have far-reaching consequences for how rights are respected — or violated — on the ground.