88R12442 EAS-D
By: Howard H.B. No. 2653
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the reporting of lost or stolen firearms; creating a
criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.056 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.056. REPORT OF LOST OR STOLEN FIREARM. (a) A
peace officer who receives a report from the owner of a firearm or
the owner's agent that the firearm was lost or stolen shall report
the loss or theft to the department. The report must include:
(1) the name of the owner;
(2) any available information about the firearm; and
(3) the date that the owner became aware the firearm
was lost or stolen.
(b) The department shall regularly send all reports
received under Subsection (a) to the National Crime Information
Center.
SECTION 2. Chapter 46, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Section 46.135 to read as follows:
Sec. 46.135. FAILURE TO REPORT LOST OR STOLEN FIREARM. (a)
A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) owns a firearm that is subsequently lost by or
stolen from the person; and
(2) fails to report the loss or theft, or cause a
report of the loss or theft to be made, to a peace officer or law
enforcement agency not later than 24 hours after the time the person
became aware the firearm was lost or stolen.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section
also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the
actor may be prosecuted under either section or under both
sections.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.