By Longoria H.B. No. 186 76R954 KEL-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to creating the offense of unlawful possession of certain 1-3 firearms by a minor. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 46, Penal Code, is amended by adding 1-6 Section 46.021 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 46.021. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CERTAIN FIREARMS BY 1-8 MINOR. (a) In this section, "minor" means an individual who: 1-9 (1) is younger than 17 years of age; 1-10 (2) is not married; and 1-11 (3) has not had the disabilities of minority removed. 1-12 (b) A minor commits an offense if the minor possesses a 1-13 firearm other than a handgun. 1-14 (c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this 1-15 section that the actor was, at the time of the commission of the 1-16 offense: 1-17 (1) engaging in lawful hunting or other sporting 1-18 activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, 1-19 or was directly en route between the premises and the actor's 1-20 residence, if a firearm is commonly used in the activity; or 1-21 (2) accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 1-22 (d) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 1-23 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-24 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.