G.A. Heath wrote:TexasJohnBoy wrote:tx85 wrote:HB1819 just passed the Senate and is off to the Governor's desk. This is the bill with a preemptive fix for suppressor possession/manufacture/etc in case the federal Hearing Protection Act passes.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup ... ill=HB1819
While a decent bill, a better bill would have been to completely deregulate suppressors under state law like they just did in Tennessee. Or if that's a bridge too far for Texas Republicans, simply prohibit suppressor possession for anyone prohibited from possessing firearms.
Article:
Signed by the Governor: Tennessee Decriminalizes Firearm “Silencers”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 10, 2017) – Yesterday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law decriminalizing the manufacture and possession of firearm suppressors in the state. The new law not only removes a layer of state regulation, it will help foster an environment hostile to federal gun control in Tennessee.
They aren't regulated in Texas. The law in Texas before this passage basically reinforced federal law stating that it had to be registered under the NFA. After this bill becomes law, the requirement will be to follow federal law. No registration, nothing past the normal FFL stuff unless I'm just missing something.
Besides, any hope I had for the HPA or Nat'l Reciprocity to pass at the federal level has pretty much evaporated.
Texas Penal Code 46.05(a)(1)(D) lists silencers as prohibited weapons unless you have registered it properly under the NFA.
And not having them registered under the NFA is a federal crime currently, so this is reinforcing federal law. My statement is that they are not regulated/registered/etc in Texas/by the state of Texas other than the Feds keeping tabs on you. And charging you $200 'cuz they can.
I guess that's still regulated in a general sense, but when I hear regulated I think more along the lines of a registry and being permitted to purchase it, which doesn't happen in TX currently. My words just dont serve me well this evening.
Granted I'm happy this passed because it will remove a "gotcha!" If the HPA passes, which again, I'm not holding my breath for that to make it through Washington.