Bill > HB1599

This bill establishes a new requirement for handgun transfers in Texas by mandating that individuals complete a handgun safety course before receiving a handgun. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be responsible for creating minimum standards for the safety course, which must be administered by a qualified handgun instructor. Upon completing the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion, and the cost of the course will be paid by the individual. The bill amends the Penal Code to make it illegal to sell, rent, lease, loan, or give a handgun to someone who does not possess this certificate. The new law will take effect on September 1, 2025, with the DPS required to adopt implementation rules by December 1, 2025, and the new transfer restrictions applying to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2026. The goal of this legislation appears to be improving handgun safety by ensuring that individuals who receive handguns have undergone a standardized safety training course.

Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1599