Eckhardt Bill Makes Gun Buyers Register Each Firearm In 30 Days

The text as introduced · 599 words

89R5037 MZM-D

By: Eckhardt
S.B. No. 691

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the registration of firearms; creating a criminal

offense; authorizing a fee.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H-1. REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS

Sec. 411.221. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "firearm"

has the meaning assigned by Section 46.01, Penal Code.

Sec. 411.222. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; ADMINISTRATION. (a)

The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this

subchapter.

(b) The department shall:

(1) administer this subchapter and the rules adopted

by the director under this subchapter; and

(2) take action necessary to ensure compliance with

this subchapter.

Sec. 411.223. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) This

subchapter applies to a person who:

(1) is a resident of this state and who on or after

January 1, 2026, acquires a firearm for the purpose of possessing

the firearm in this state; or

(2) enters this state on or after January 1, 2026, for

the purpose of residing in this state and who possesses a firearm,

regardless of when the person acquired the firearm.

(b) A person to whom this subchapter applies shall submit an

application for a certificate of registration for a firearm with

the department on a form prescribed by the department that includes

the information described by Subsection (c) not later than the 30th

day after the date the person:

(1) acquires the firearm, if the person is described

by Subsection (a)(1); or

(2) enters this state with the firearm, if the person

is described by Subsection (a)(2).

(c) The application must include:

(1) the owner's:

(A) full name and place and date of birth;

(B) residence and business addresses; and

(C) driver's license number or identification

certificate number issued by the department, or if the owner is a

new resident of this state, information necessary to prove identity

to the satisfaction of the department;

(2) the name of the manufacturer of the firearm;

(3) the model, type of action, caliber or gauge, and

serial number of the firearm; and

(4) the source from which the firearm was obtained,

including the previous owner's name and address.

(d) An application for a certificate of registration must be

accompanied by the required registration fee.

Sec. 411.224. REGISTRATION FEE. The department shall

charge for issuance of a certificate of registration a reasonable

fee in the amount necessary to cover the costs of administering this

subchapter.

Sec. 411.225. CHANGE OF INFORMATION. If the information

provided to the department in connection with a certificate of

registration changes, the certificate holder shall notify the

department in the form and manner prescribed by the department not

later than the 30th day after the date the change occurs.

Sec. 411.226. CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an

offense if the person fails to register a firearm in violation of

this subchapter.

(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class C

misdemeanor.

SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025:

(1) the public safety director of the Department of

Public Safety of the State of Texas shall adopt the rules necessary

to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 411, Government Code, as added

by this Act; and

(2) the department shall create the application form

and the change of information form required by Subchapter H-1,

Chapter 411, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this

section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

(b) Section 411.226, Government Code, as added by this Act,

takes effect January 1, 2026.