House Bill No. 4372 amends Section 46.06 of the Texas 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 introduces new categories of offenses related to the sale or transfer of firearms to minors and individuals under specific conditions. Notably, it establishes that selling or transferring firearms to individuals under 21 years of age is illegal if the firearm can accept a detachable magazine and uses centerfire ammunition or has a caliber greater than .22. The bill also adds several defenses to prosecution, including circumstances where the transfer is made for training at a shooting range or to individuals who have completed a hunter education course.

Additionally, the bill specifies that certain defenses apply to individuals transferring firearms to minors if they are family members or if the recipient is a qualified adult who has completed a hunter education course or is a member of the armed forces. The penalties for violations are classified as Class A misdemeanors, with specific offenses escalating to state jail felonies depending on the circumstances. 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.

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