gun dealers include a lock or safe with every sale

The text as introduced · 534 words

89R3089 MZM-D

By: Goodwin
H.B. No. 639

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the inclusion by a licensed firearms dealer of a firearm

safety device or secure firearm storage device and certain

information with the transfer of a firearm.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Title 6, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by

adding Chapter 205 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 205. TRANSFER OF FIREARMS BY LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER

Sec. 205.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section

46.01, Penal Code.

(2) "Firearm safety device" means a cable lock,

trigger lock, or other safety lock or device that, when installed on

a firearm, prevents the firearm from discharging without first

being deactivated or removed from the device.

(3) "Firearm safety equipment" has the meaning

assigned by Section 151.3131, Tax Code.

(4) "Licensed firearms dealer" means a person who is

licensed as a firearms dealer under 18 U.S.C. Section 923.

(5) "Secure firearm storage device" means a gun safe,

gun case, gun cabinet, or other device that is similarly designed to

be:

(A) used to store a firearm; and

(B) unlocked only by use of a key or combination

or by other similar means.

Sec. 205.002. INCLUSION OF FIREARM SAFETY DEVICE OR SECURE

FIREARM STORAGE DEVICE AND INFORMATION REGARDING TAX EXEMPTION.

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a licensed firearms

dealer shall, for each firearm sold or otherwise transferred by the

dealer:

(1) include:

(A) a firearm safety device compatible with the

firearm or a secure firearm storage device suitable for safely

storing the firearm; and

(B) a printed copy of the information form

developed by the Department of Public Safety under Section 205.003;

and

(2) verbally notify the purchaser or transferee that

firearm safety equipment is exempt from sales and use taxes under

Section 151.3131, Tax Code.

(b) Subsection (a)(1)(A) does not apply to the transfer of a

firearm to a peace officer licensed under Chapter 1701, Occupations

Code.

Sec. 205.003. FIREARM SAFETY INFORMATION. The Department

of Public Safety shall develop and make available on the

department's Internet website a printable information form that

includes information on:

(1) the safe storage of firearms, including the

effective use of a firearm safety device and secure firearm storage

device for each type of firearm; and

(2) the exemption from sales and use taxes on firearm

safety equipment under Section 151.3131, Tax Code.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Department

of Public Safety shall develop and make available the printable

form as required by Section 205.003, Business & Commerce Code, as

added by this Act.

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply to the

sale or transfer of a firearm by a licensed firearms dealer, as

defined by Section 205.001, Business & Commerce Code, as added by

this Act, on or after January 1, 2026. The sale or transfer of a

firearm that occurs before January 1, 2026, is governed by the law

in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the

former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.