HB 1217
AN ACT relating to civil liability arising from a firearm hold agreement.
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Protects federal firearms licensees from civil liability when storing a customer's firearm through a voluntary hold agreement. Under the law, firearm owners cannot sue licensed dealers for injuries or damages that occur during a mutually agreed-upon firearm storage arrangement, unless the dealer acts with gross negligence or engages in unlawful conduct. The legislation provides legal protection for businesses that temporarily hold firearms for customers, ensuring they cannot be easily sued for accidents or incidents beyond their direct control.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to civil liability arising from a firearm hold agreement. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 128, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER B. CIVIL ACTIONS AGAINST SPORT SHOOTING RANGES SECTION 2. Chapter 128, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Subchapter C to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER C. LIABILITY ARISING FROM FIREARM HOLD AGREEMENTS Sec. 128.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Federal firearms licensee" means any person licensed under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44. (2) "Firearm" means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use. (3) "Firearm hold agreement" means a private transaction between a federal firearms licensee and an individual firearm owner in which the licensee takes physical possession of the owner's lawfully possessed firearm at the owner's request, holds the firearm for an agreed period of time, and returns the firearm to the owner according to the terms of the agreement. Sec. 128.102. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. (a) A person does not have a cause of action against a federal firearms licensee operating lawfully in this state for any act or omission arising from a firearm hold agreement that results in personal injury or death, including the return of a firearm to the owner by the licensee at the termination of the agreement. (b) The immunity from civil liability provided by Subsection (a) does not apply to a cause of action arising from the unlawful conduct or gross negligence of the licensee. SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 128, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, does not apply to a cause of action that accrued before the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Weapons and related subject areas.
Beverly C. Cornwell
PremiumMichael J. Johnson
Sarah Hicks
Ky Ash
David H. Cain
Ashley Michelle Juergens
Elizabeth Hadley
Matthew Bentley
Ashley Mcconkey
John Sepehri
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to civil liability arising from a firearm hold agreement.
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