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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the registration of firearms; creating a criminal |
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offense; authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER H-1. REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS |
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Sec. 411.221. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "firearm" |
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has the meaning assigned by Section 46.01, Penal Code. |
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Sec. 411.222. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; ADMINISTRATION. (a) |
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The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this |
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subchapter. |
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(b) The department shall: |
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(1) administer this subchapter and the rules adopted |
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by the director under this subchapter; and |
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(2) take action necessary to ensure compliance with |
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this subchapter. |
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Sec. 411.223. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) This |
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subchapter applies to a person who: |
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(1) is a resident of this state and who on or after |
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January 1, 2026, acquires a firearm for the purpose of possessing |
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the firearm in this state; or |
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(2) enters this state on or after January 1, 2026, for |
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the purpose of residing in this state and who possesses a firearm, |
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regardless of when the person acquired the firearm. |
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(b) A person to whom this subchapter applies shall submit an |
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application for a certificate of registration for a firearm with |
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the department on a form prescribed by the department that includes |
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the information described by Subsection (c) not later than the 30th |
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day after the date the person: |
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(1) acquires the firearm, if the person is described |
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by Subsection (a)(1); or |
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(2) enters this state with the firearm, if the person |
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is described by Subsection (a)(2). |
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(c) The application must include: |
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(1) the owner's: |
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(A) full name and place and date of birth; |
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(B) residence and business addresses; and |
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(C) driver's license number or identification |
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certificate number issued by the department, or if the owner is a |
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new resident of this state, information necessary to prove identity |
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to the satisfaction of the department; |
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(2) the name of the manufacturer of the firearm; |
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(3) the model, type of action, caliber or gauge, and |
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serial number of the firearm; and |
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(4) the source from which the firearm was obtained, |
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including the previous owner's name and address. |
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(d) An application for a certificate of registration must be |
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accompanied by the required registration fee. |
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Sec. 411.224. REGISTRATION FEE. The department shall |
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charge for issuance of a certificate of registration a reasonable |
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fee in the amount necessary to cover the costs of administering this |
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subchapter. |
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Sec. 411.225. CHANGE OF INFORMATION. If the information |
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provided to the department in connection with a certificate of |
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registration changes, the certificate holder shall notify the |
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department in the form and manner prescribed by the department not |
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later than the 30th day after the date the change occurs. |
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Sec. 411.226. CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an |
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offense if the person fails to register a firearm in violation of |
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this subchapter. |
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(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class C |
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misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025: |
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(1) the public safety director of the Department of |
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Public Safety of the State of Texas shall adopt the rules necessary |
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to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 411, Government Code, as added |
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by this Act; and |
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(2) the department shall create the application form |
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and the change of information form required by Subchapter H-1, |
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Chapter 411, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
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section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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(b) Section 411.226, Government Code, as added by this Act, |
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takes effect January 1, 2026. |