84R655 PEP-D
 
  By: Ellis S.B. No. 256
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to creating an offense for the unlawful possession or
  transfer of a large-capacity magazine.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 46, Penal Code, is amended by adding
  Section 46.056 to read as follows:
         Sec. 46.056.  UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OR TRANSFER OF
  LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE. (a) In this section, "large-capacity
  magazine" means a detachable ammunition feeding device with the
  capacity to accept more than 20 rounds. The term does not include:
               (1)  a .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device;
               (2)  a tubular magazine that is contained in a
  lever-action firearm; or
               (3)  an ammunition feeding device that has been
  permanently disabled from accepting more than 20 rounds.
         (b)  A person commits an offense if the person:
               (1)  possesses a large-capacity magazine; or
               (2)  sells, rents, leases, loans, or gives a
  large-capacity magazine to another.
         (c)  An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
         (d)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
  the actor engaged in the conduct:
               (1)  while engaged in the actual discharge of official
  duties, or directly en route to or from the person's place of
  assignment, as:
                     (A)  a peace officer;
                     (B)  a member of the armed forces or state
  military forces as defined by Section 431.001, Government Code; or
                     (C)  a government officer or employee authorized
  to possess a large-capacity magazine for public safety purposes;
               (2)  for the sole purpose of making the magazine
  available to a person described by Subdivision (1);
               (3)  to conduct a forensic analysis or for another
  legitimate law enforcement purpose;
               (4)  for the sole purpose of permanently disabling the
  magazine from accepting more than 20 rounds;
               (5)  for the sole purpose of maintaining the magazine
  as a museum piece or as a decorative prop for use in a motion
  picture, television, or video production or other entertainment
  event;
               (6)  while engaged in the interstate transportation of
  firearms in accordance with federal law; or
               (7)  for the sole purpose of surrendering the magazine
  to a state or federal law enforcement agency.
         (e)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this
  section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor
  may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.