HB 3669
AN ACT relating to the definition of firearm for purposes of certain
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
Modifies the legal definition of "firearm" in Texas Penal Code, specifically excluding certain antique or replica firearms and introducing a new category called "less-lethal projectile devices" that are designed to temporarily incapacitate a target with minimal risk of serious injury or death. These changes clarify weapon classifications and provide more specific legal distinctions for firearms, potentially affecting weapon owners, law enforcement, and those involved in weapons manufacturing or sales. The amendment takes effect September 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the definition of firearm for purposes of certain BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 46.01(3), Penal Code, is amended to read (3) "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. Firearm does not include: (A) a firearm that may have, as an integral part, a folding knife blade or other characteristics of weapons made illegal by this chapter and that is: (i) [(A)] an antique or curio firearm (ii) [(B)] a replica of an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899, but only if the replica does not use rim fire or center fire ammunition; or (B) a less-lethal projectile device. SECTION 2. Section 46.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (21) to read as follows: (21) "Less-lethal projectile device" means any weapon, device, or munition that is designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile or multiple projectiles against a target to temporarily incapacitate the target while minimizing the risk of serious bodily injury or death. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Weapons and related subject areas.
Brianna M. Menard
Haley Cornyn
Michael J. Johnson
Vera Denise Rose
Gavin L. Massingill
Fred Shannon
Sarah Hicks
Matthew Bentley
Luis Saenz
Kelly Barnes
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the definition of firearm for purposes of certain
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