Bill > HB623

This bill creates a new criminal offense in the Texas Penal Code that prohibits the transfer of semiautomatic rifles. Specifically, the bill makes it illegal for a person to sell, rent, lease, transfer, or even offer to sell, rent, lease, or transfer a semiautomatic rifle. A semiautomatic rifle is a firearm that fires one round with each trigger pull and automatically reloads the next round, but does not continue firing while the trigger is held down. The offense is classified as a state jail felony, which typically carries a punishment of 180 days to 2 years in a state jail and a potential fine. The bill includes a provision that allows prosecution under this new law to occur simultaneously with prosecution under other existing laws if the same conduct violates multiple statutes. The new law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving potential affected parties advance notice of the upcoming legal change.

Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB623