S.B. No. 263
AN ACT
relating to the handgun proficiency required to obtain or renew a
license to carry a handgun.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 411.188(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The director by rule shall establish minimum standards
for handgun proficiency and shall develop a course to teach handgun
proficiency and examinations to measure handgun proficiency. The
course to teach handgun proficiency is required for each person who
seeks to obtain a license and must contain training sessions
divided into two parts. One part of the course must be classroom
instruction and the other part must be range instruction and an
actual demonstration by the applicant of the applicant's ability to
safely and proficiently use a handgun. An applicant must be able to
demonstrate, at a minimum, the degree of proficiency that is
required to effectively operate a handgun [of .32 caliber or
above]. The department shall distribute the standards, course
requirements, and examinations on request to any qualified handgun
instructor.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an application to obtain or renew a license to carry a handgun
submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An
application submitted before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect when the application was submitted,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 263 passed the Senate on
April 3, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 263 passed the House on
May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor