By: Gutierrez S.B. No. 1711
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting 3D-printed firearms; creating an offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 46.132, Penal Code, is amended by to read
as follows:
Sec. 46.132. PROHIBITION ON 3D-PRINTED FIREARMS. (a) In
this section:
(1) "3D-printed firearm" means a firearm, or any major
component of a firearm, that is produced by a three-dimensional
printing process, regardless of the material used.
(2) "Digital firearm schematic" means any
computer-aided design (CAD) file or other digital instruction
designed for the production of a firearm or major firearm component
using additive manufacturing or 3D-printing technology.
(b) A person may not manufacture, sell, transfer, or possess
a 3D-printed firearm in the State of Texas.
(c) A person may not distribute, publish, or otherwise make
available any digital firearm schematic to another person in Texas
with the intent of facilitating the production of a firearm using a
3D printer or similar technology.
(d) This section does not apply to:
(1) A state or federal law enforcement agency or an
employee thereof acting within the scope of their official duties.
(2) A licensed firearms manufacturer producing
firearms using additive manufacturing techniques in compliance
with federal and state laws.
(3) Research institutions conducting studies on
3D-printing technology under approval from the Texas Department of
Public Safety.
(e) A person who violates subsection (b) commits a felony of
the third degree. A person who violates subsection (c) commits a
Class A misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. Section 46.132, Penal Code, as amended by this
Act, applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective
date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of
this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was
committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed
before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense
occurred before that date.