HB639 - Relating to the inclusion by a licensed firearms dealer of a firearm safety device or secure firearm storage device and certain information with the transfer of a firearm.

  89R3089 MZM-D     By: Goodwin H.B. No. 639       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the inclusion by a licensed firearms dealer of a firearm   safety device or secure firearm storage device and certain   information with the transfer of a firearm.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Title 6, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by   adding Chapter 205 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 205. TRANSFER OF FIREARMS BY LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER           Sec. 205.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                 (1)     "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section   46.01, Penal Code.                 (2)     "Firearm safety device" means a cable lock,   trigger lock, or other safety lock or device that, when installed on   a firearm, prevents the firearm from discharging without first   being deactivated or removed from the device.                 (3)     "Firearm safety equipment" has the meaning   assigned by Section 151.3131, Tax Code.                 (4)     "Licensed firearms dealer" means a person who is   licensed as a firearms dealer under 18 U.S.C. Section 923.                 (5)     "Secure firearm storage device" means a gun safe,   gun case, gun cabinet, or other device that is similarly designed to   be:                       (A)  used to store a firearm; and                       (B)     unlocked only by use of a key or combination   or by other similar means.           Sec.   205.002.     INCLUSION OF FIREARM SAFETY DEVICE OR SECURE   FIREARM STORAGE DEVICE AND INFORMATION REGARDING TAX EXEMPTION.   (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a licensed firearms   dealer shall, for each firearm sold or otherwise transferred by the   dealer:                 (1)  include:                       (A)     a firearm safety device compatible with the   firearm or a secure firearm storage device suitable for safely   storing the firearm; and                       (B)     a printed copy of the information form   developed by the Department of Public Safety under Section 205.003;   and                 (2)     verbally notify the purchaser or transferee that   firearm safety equipment is exempt from sales and use taxes under   Section 151.3131, Tax Code.           (b)     Subsection (a)(1)(A) does not apply to the transfer of a   firearm to a peace officer licensed under Chapter 1701, Occupations   Code.           Sec.   205.003.     FIREARM SAFETY INFORMATION. The Department   of Public Safety shall develop and make available on the   department's Internet website a printable information form that   includes information on:                 (1)     the safe storage of firearms, including the   effective use of a firearm safety device and secure firearm storage   device for each type of firearm; and                 (2)     the exemption from sales and use taxes on firearm   safety equipment under Section 151.3131, Tax Code.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Department   of Public Safety shall develop and make available the printable   form as required by Section 205.003, Business & Commerce Code, as   added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to the   sale or transfer of a firearm by a licensed firearms dealer, as   defined by Section 205.001, Business & Commerce Code, as added by   this Act, on or after January 1, 2026. The sale or transfer of a   firearm that occurs before January 1, 2026, is governed by the law   in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.