Bill > HB711

This bill amends the Texas Penal Code to modify the circumstances under which a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm after a domestic violence misdemeanor conviction. Specifically, the bill changes the language describing the relationship between the offender and victim from "a member of the person's family or household" to more precisely defined relationships in the Family Code, including specific familial and domestic partnerships as outlined in Sections 71.0021(b), 71.003, and 71.005. The prohibition remains the same: a person convicted of a Class A misdemeanor domestic violence offense is barred from possessing a firearm for five years following their release from confinement or community supervision. The bill will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the law in effect at the time they were committed. By refining the definition of domestic relationships, the bill aims to provide clearer guidance on firearm possession restrictions following domestic violence convictions.

Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB711