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HB 3669

AN ACT relating to the definition of firearm for purposes of certain

House Bill Guillen | Moody | Johnson | Louderback
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

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Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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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.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the definition of firearm for purposes of certain