BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 267

By: Bonnen

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Under current state law, a Texas resident may purchase firearms, ammunition, reloading components, or firearm accessories only in contiguous states.  This law was enacted at a time when the federal Gun Control Act also prohibited gun sales from non-contiguous states.  Since then, the federal code has been updated to allow for interstate firearm purchases, except those precluded by law.

 

This bill proposes to amend the Texas Penal Code to allow the purchase of firearms, ammunition, reloading components, or firearm accessories in noncontiguous states.  It also updates the federal code reference, with which this section of Penal Code conforms, to the most current version of the Federal Gun Control Act. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Sec. 46.07 of the Penal Code to allow, unless otherwise precluded by law, the purchase of firearms, ammunition, reloading components, or firearm accessories in another state, rather than only in contiguous states.  Updates the federal code, with which this section of the Texas Penal Code conforms, to reference the most up-to-date version, 18. U.S.C. Section 922(b)(3)(A). 

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act take effect September 1, 2009.