Senate Bill No. 41 aims to prohibit the purchase, possession, and transfer of assault weapons in Texas, establishing new criminal offenses related to these activities. The bill introduces a new section, 46.055, to the Penal Code, defining "assault weapon" and outlining specific criteria for various firearms that fall under this classification. It specifies that individuals under 21 years of age commit an offense if they knowingly purchase or possess an assault weapon, with violations classified as Class A misdemeanors. The bill also provides defenses for individuals who are peace officers or members of the armed forces when purchasing or possessing such weapons.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 46.06 of the Penal Code to include provisions that make it an offense to sell or transfer an assault weapon to individuals under 21 years of age. It clarifies that a defense exists if the transfer is made to a peace officer or military member who can provide evidence of their status. The bill establishes that offenses under these new provisions are generally classified as Class A misdemeanors, with certain violations escalating to state jail felonies. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply only to offenses committed after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 46.06 (Penal Code 46)