87R5849 NC-D
By: Rodriguez H.B. No. 2143
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of modern sporting rifles by certain
municipalities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 229.001(a), Local Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, including Section 43.002
of this code and Chapter 251, Agriculture Code, and except as
provided by Section 229.005, a municipality may not adopt
regulations relating to:
(1) the transfer, possession, wearing, carrying,
ownership, storage, transportation, licensing, or registration of
firearms, air guns, knives, ammunition, or firearm or air gun
supplies or accessories;
(2) commerce in firearms, air guns, knives,
ammunition, or firearm or air gun supplies or accessories; or
(3) the discharge of a firearm or air gun at a sport
shooting range.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 229, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 229.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 229.005. MODERN SPORTING RIFLES IN CERTAIN
MUNICIPALITIES. (a) In this section, "modern sporting rifle"
means:
(1) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has the
capacity to accept a detachable magazine that has:
(A) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously
beneath the action of the firearm;
(B) a folding or telescoping stock;
(C) a thumbhole stock;
(D) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that
can be held by the non-trigger hand;
(E) a flash suppressor, muzzle break, or muzzle
compensator; or
(F) a grenade launcher or flare launcher;
(2) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has a fixed
magazine that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition;
(3) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has an
overall length of less than 30 inches; or
(4) a semiautomatic centerfire pistol that has the
capacity to accept a detachable magazine and has:
(A) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that
can be held by the non-trigger hand;
(B) an ammunition magazine that attaches to the
pistol outside of the pistol grip; or
(C) a shroud that is attached to or partially or
completely encircles the barrel and that permits the shooter to
hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned.
(b) For purposes of this section, "modern sporting rifle"
does not include any rifle that:
(1) is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or
slide action;
(2) has been rendered permanently inoperable; or
(3) is an antique firearm or a curio or relic.
(c) This section applies only to a municipality with a
population of 600,000 or more.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a municipality may
regulate the carrying of a partially or wholly visible modern
sporting rifle on or about a person in a public place.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.