87R1393 ADM-D
By: Meza H.B. No. 185
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating the criminal offense of failure to safely
store a firearm.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 46, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Section 46.131 to read as follows:
Sec. 46.131. FAILURE TO SAFELY STORE FIREARM. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Readily dischargeable firearm" has the meaning
assigned by Section 46.13.
(2) "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.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person stores a
readily dischargeable firearm owned by the person in a place other
than a secure firearm storage device that is locked.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
(d) If conduct constituting an offense under this section
also constitutes an offense under another law, the actor may be
prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.