H.B. No. 3138 amends the Local Government Code to clarify and expand the authority of municipalities and counties regarding the regulation of firearms, air guns, archery equipment, and related supplies. The bill introduces the term "archery equipment" into the legal framework, defining it to include various types of bows and arrows, and specifies that municipalities cannot adopt regulations that pertain to the transfer, possession, or discharge of these items, among other restrictions. Additionally, it prohibits municipalities from requiring liability insurance for firearm or archery equipment owners and ensures that existing laws do not allow for the confiscation of legally possessed items.

The bill also modifies existing sections to ensure that regulations do not effectively restrict lawful commerce in firearms and archery equipment. It allows counties to regulate hunting with bows and arrows on smaller lots and clarifies that municipalities retain certain powers, such as enforcing zoning ordinances and regulating public safety without infringing on the rights established by this bill. The changes are designed to promote public safety while protecting the rights of individuals to own and use firearms and archery equipment legally. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 229.001, Local Government Code 235.042, Local Government Code 236.001, Local Government Code 236.002, Local Government Code 342.003 (Local Government Code 235, Local Government Code 236, Local Government Code 342, Local Government Code 229)