The 81st Texas Legislature has passed several new House Bills that either directly or indirectly effect Concealed Handgun Laws or specific firearms laws.  Below is a quick recap of House Bills that have passed and went into effect September 01, 2009 unless otherwise stated.  Please keep in mind that this is only a partial list of bills that passed and does not reflect all new laws pertaining to firearms.

HB2664 – Provides a defense to prosecution if a concealed handgun license holder carries a concealed handgun into an establishment that gets 51 percent or more of its income from the sale of alcoholic beverages, but has failed to post the statutorily required notice that it derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale of alcoholic beverages. (Under current law, a concealed handgun licensee can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for doing this.)

HB2730 – Amends numerous provisions regarding concealed handgun licenses (CHLs), including eliminating student loan defaults as a disqualifier, to clarify that DPS must suspend or revoke a license when the licensee becomes ineligible and mandating that a magistrate suspend a CHL held by the subject of an emergency protective order.

HB2730 – Removes DPS authority to suspend a concealed handgun license (CHL) for the holder’s failure to display the CHL to a peace officer on demand. It removes associated penalties and suspensions for the failure to display.

HB4336 – Makes it a crime for anyone but a law enforcement officer to possess, transport, or transfer a firearm knowing the firearm was obtained illegally. Violation with one firearm is a Third Degree Felony, With three or more at the same time a Second Degree Felony.

SB 1188 – Authorizes a Texas resident to buy firearms, ammunition or firearms accessories in any other state, not just those contiguous to Texas, to reflect updated federal statutes.

SB1424 – Any conviction that was set aside, voided, or any manner invalidated will no longer be a “conviction” for CHL purposes. In order to be disqualifying for CHL purposes, a “conviction” must be classified as a felony both at the time it was committed and at the time of application for a CHL.