Texas Senate Bill SB2225

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/15/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/23/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/8/09
• Voted on by House: 5/13/09
• Governor Action: 5/23/09
• Enrolled: 5/14/09
• Passed: 5/23/09

Caption

Relating to the civil and criminal consequences of engaging in certain conduct involving the transporting or transferring of a firearm and to creating the offense of firearm smuggling.

Impact

This legislation directly modifies existing laws concerning firearms to enhance penalties for actions that facilitate illegal gun distribution. By expanding the scope of illegal activities associated with firearms, SB2225 aims to assist law enforcement agencies in combating gun smuggling. The new provisions will likely encourage a more rigorous approach to tracking and prosecuting individuals involved in the illegal trade of firearms, thus aiming to mitigate the prevalence of gun-related crimes linked to such operations within the state.

Summary

SB2225 aims to establish legal consequences surrounding the transportation and transfer of firearms, particularly those acquired in violation of state and federal laws. This bill introduces the offense of firearm smuggling, which occurs when an individual knowingly engages in the transportation or transfer of firearms they know to be illegally acquired. The classification of the offense is a felony of the third degree, escalating to a second-degree felony if three or more firearms are involved in a single instance. This delineation underscores the seriousness with which Texas legislators view illegal firearm trafficking.

Contention

Notably, the bill introduces discussions about the balance between regulating firearms and respecting Second Amendment rights. Critics may argue about the potential overreach of enforcing stringent regulations on individuals who may unknowingly be caught in possession of firearms acquired inappropriately. The definition of 'knowingly' as it pertains to the buyers and sellers of firearms raises questions about the burden of proof and how these regulations might be enforced without infringing on lawful gun ownership. Understanding the implications of such legislation will be essential as lawmakers anticipate community reactions to these measures.