S.B. No. 1596 is a legislative bill that seeks to amend the Texas Penal Code regarding the possession and regulation of certain firearms and ammunition. The bill specifically removes the classification of short-barrel firearms from the list of prohibited items under Section 46.05(a), which means that individuals will no longer be charged for possessing, manufacturing, transporting, repairing, or selling short-barrel firearms, provided they are registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record or classified as curios or relics. Additionally, the affirmative defense for incidental dealings with short-barrel firearms has been deleted, further indicating a shift in the legal stance on these firearms.

Furthermore, Section 46.01(10) of the Penal Code, which likely defined short-barrel firearms, is repealed entirely. The changes introduced by this bill will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning that any offenses occurring before this date will still be governed by the previous laws. This bill reflects a significant alteration in the legal framework surrounding short-barrel firearms in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 46.05, Penal Code 46.01 (Penal Code 46)
Senate Committee Report: Penal Code 46.05, Penal Code 46.01 (Penal Code 46)
Engrossed: Penal Code 46.05, Penal Code 46.01 (Penal Code 46)