The bill, H.B. No. 1617, aims to exempt the intrastate manufacture of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition from federal regulation in Texas. It asserts that such items, when manufactured and remaining within Texas, do not fall under federal law or regulation, including registration, as they have not traveled in interstate commerce. The bill introduces new legal language by adding Chapter 2003 to the Business & Commerce Code, which defines terms related to firearms and outlines the criteria for what constitutes manufacturing within the state. It specifies that a firearm or accessory must be made from basic materials without including parts imported from other states, except for generic and insignificant parts.

Additionally, the bill establishes exceptions for certain types of firearms and ammunition that do not qualify for this exemption, such as those that cannot be carried by one person or those with specific bore diameters. It mandates that firearms manufactured and sold in Texas must be marked with "Made in Texas." Furthermore, the Attorney General is tasked with seeking a declaratory judgment from a federal district court to confirm the bill's consistency with the U.S. Constitution upon notification of intent to manufacture. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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