87R2541 JCG-D
 
  By: Martinez H.B. No. 670
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibiting the reckless discharge of a firearm;
  creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 22, Penal Code, is amended by adding
  Section 22.055 to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.055.  RECKLESS DISCHARGE OF FIREARM. (a) In this
  section:
               (1)  "Blanks" means ammunition for a firearm that lacks
  shot or a bullet.
               (2)  "Hunting" means to hunt, as defined by Section
  1.101, Parks and Wildlife Code.
         (b)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly
  discharges a firearm and at the time of discharge:
               (1)  is reckless as to whether the firearm was aimed at
  the person's intended target; or
               (2)  did not have an intended target.
         (c)  An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor,
  except that the offense is a felony of the second degree if it is
  shown on the trial of the offense that serious bodily injury or
  death was suffered by any person by reason of the commission of the
  offense.
         (d)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
  the person discharged the firearm:
               (1)  at a sport shooting range, as defined by Section
  250.001, Local Government Code;
               (2)  while hunting as licensed, permitted, or otherwise
  authorized by the Parks and Wildlife Department;
               (3)  while the firearm was loaded with blanks; or
               (4)  while in the course of making a motion picture or
  television or digital production for which the Texas Film
  Commission or a political subdivision of this state has issued a
  permit.
         (e)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this
  section also constitutes an offense under another section of this
  code, the actor may be prosecuted under this section or the other
  section of this code.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.