88(3) HB 191 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the definition of firearm for purposes of certain |
 
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criminal offenses. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 46.01(3), Penal Code, is amended to read |
 
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as follows: |
 
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                         (3)    "Firearm" means any device designed, made, or |
 
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adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy |
 
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generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device |
 
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readily convertible to that use.  Firearm does not include: |
 
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                                     (A)    a firearm that may have, as an integral part, |
 
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a folding knife blade or other characteristics of weapons made |
 
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illegal by this chapter and that is: |
 
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                                                 (i)    [(A)]    an antique or curio firearm |
 
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manufactured before 1899; or |
 
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                                                 (ii)    [(B)]    a replica of an antique or |
 
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curio firearm manufactured before 1899, but only if the replica |
 
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does not use rim fire or center fire ammunition; or |
 
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                                     (B)    a less-lethal projectile device. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Section 46.01, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Subdivision (21) to read as follows: |
 
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                         (21)    "Less-lethal projectile device" means any |
 
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weapon, device, or munition that is designed, made, or adapted to |
 
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expel a projectile or multiple projectiles against a target to |
 
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temporarily incapacitate the target while minimizing the risk of |
 
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serious bodily injury or death. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    The change in law made by this Act applies only |
 
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to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.   |
 
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An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
 
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governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
 
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For |
 
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purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
 
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effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
 
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before that date. |
 
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             SECTION  4.    This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
 
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last day of the legislative session. |