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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an educational program and fee reductions to improve |
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firearm safety. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 411.1954 and 411.210 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.1954. REDUCTION OF FEES: PURCHASE OF SECURE GUN |
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STORAGE DEVICE. (a) In this section, "secure gun storage device" |
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means a gun safe, gun case, gun cabinet, or other device that is |
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designed to be: |
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(1) used to store a gun; and |
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(2) unlocked only by use of a key or combination or by |
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other similar means. |
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(b) The department shall reduce any fee required for the |
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issuance of an original or renewed license under this subchapter if |
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the applicant for the license provides the department with proof |
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that a secure gun storage device has been purchased by the applicant |
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or on behalf of the applicant. |
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(c) The amount of the reduction under Subsection (b) is the |
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lesser of: |
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(1) the total amount of the fee the applicant would |
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otherwise be required to pay; or |
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(2) $40. |
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Sec. 411.210. FIREARM SAFETY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. (a) In |
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this section, "licensed firearms dealer" means a person who is |
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licensed as a firearms dealer under 18 U.S.C. Section 923. |
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(b) The department shall develop and implement an |
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educational program to encourage firearm safety and to improve |
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public awareness on the topics of: |
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(1) the availability of secure gun storage solutions, |
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including secure gun storage devices as defined by Section |
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411.1954; and |
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(2) the safe handling of firearms. |
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(c) In implementing the program, the department shall |
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publish a pamphlet on the topics described by Subsection (b). The |
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pamphlet must be distributed to each licensed firearms dealer in |
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this state, to be provided by a licensed firearms dealer at the |
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point of sale or other transfer of a firearm to a person. |
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(d) The department may pay the costs of the program and its |
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administration only from the proceeds of fees collected under this |
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subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act in adding |
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Section 411.1954, Government Code, applies only to an application |
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to obtain or renew a license to carry a handgun submitted on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. An application submitted |
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before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
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effect when the application was submitted, and the former law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |