FORT WORTH, Texas – A Texas legislator has introduced a bill aimed at safeguarding renters from eviction if they use justified force to protect themselves or their families within their homes.
State Representative Carrie Isaac (R-Central Texas) was spurred to action by a North Texas case that drew widespread attention.
In December 2023, Fort Worth resident Aleah Wallace, a single mother of four, faced a harrowing situation when an intruder attempted to enter her apartment through the window of her 8-year-old daughter’s bedroom. Having already experienced multiple break-ins, including one earlier that same day, Wallace acted in self-defense, fatally shooting the intruder—who was later identified as a 14-year-old boy.
“I didn’t know he was 14 when he was on the other side of that window,” Wallace told FOX 4 in 2023. “All I knew was that somebody could come in here and hurt me or my kids. That’s it.”
Though a Tarrant County grand jury cleared Wallace of any wrongdoing in April 2024, she soon faced another challenge—her landlord moved to evict her, citing a lease provision prohibiting weapons on the property.
Her eviction was ultimately halted after North Texas attorney Mark Melton took on her case pro bono.
A Legislative Response
Rep. Isaac, after seeing Wallace’s story in the news, began advocating for her right to self-defense, framing it not only as a renter’s rights issue but also as a matter of Second Amendment protections.
“When I heard her story, I was furious,” Isaac said. “It was an injustice, and I don’t understand why renters should be treated any differently than homeowners when it comes to defending themselves and their families.”
To address the issue, Isaac has filed House Bill 2879, also known as the Aleah Wallace Act. The legislation seeks to ensure that renters who lawfully use force in self-defense cannot be evicted or penalized by their landlords or condominium associations. Under the bill:
- Landlords would be prohibited from evicting tenants for using justified force in self-defense.
- Condominium associations would be barred from imposing fines or other penalties on residents who lawfully defend themselves.
- The protections would apply if the individual is not charged, indicted, or is found not guilty of any offense related to their actions.
“I had no idea there were Texas residents who were unable to exercise their Second Amendment rights simply because they were renters,” Isaac said. “This bill makes it clear—landlords do not have the authority to strip tenants of their constitutional rights.”
What’s Next?
Isaac has expressed confidence in the bill’s progress, stating that it has garnered strong support among her colleagues.
“I’ve had a lot of backing from fellow legislators, and I’ve been told this is expected to move quickly,” she said.
If approved by the Texas House and Senate and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, the Aleah Wallace Act would take effect on September 1, 2025.
