House Bill No. 4372 amends Section 46.06 of the Penal Code, which addresses the unlawful transfer of certain weapons. The bill broadens the definition of prohibited transfers to include firearms instead of just handguns, and it introduces new categories of offenses related to the sale or transfer of firearms to individuals under specific age thresholds. Notably, it establishes that selling or transferring firearms to individuals under 21 years of age is illegal if the firearm is capable of accepting a detachable magazine and uses centerfire ammunition or has a caliber greater than .22. The bill also adds several defenses to prosecution, including provisions for transfers made to minors with parental consent and exceptions for certain individuals such as military members and peace officers.

Additionally, the bill specifies that offenses under certain subsections will be classified as state jail felonies, particularly those involving the unlawful transfer of firearms to minors or individuals with prior felony convictions. The changes in law will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. This means that any offenses occurring before this date will be governed by the previous law. Overall, the bill aims to enhance regulations surrounding the transfer of firearms to improve public safety.

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