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Read. Follow. Verify.Texas requires handgun safety course certificate for handgun transfers starting January 2026
Last action · March 12, 2025: Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' AffairsSponsor: Jon Rosenthal
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What This Bill Proposed
Texas makes it illegal to sell, rent, lease, loan, or give a handgun to anyone without first verifying that the recipient possesses a certificate of completion for a handgun safety course issued by the Department of Public Safety. The Department must adopt implementation rules by December 1, 2025, and the new transfer requirement applies to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2026.
Private sellers and commercial dealers transferring handguns must verify completion of a state-approved safety course before delivery, with course fees paid directly to providers by participants.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
firearm sellers
Sellers, lessors, lenders, and donors of handguns must verify that recipients possess a Department of Public Safety certificate of completion before transferring the firearm.
handgun buyers and recipients
Individuals receiving a handgun must complete a safety course, obtain a certificate from the Department of Public Safety, and pay course provider costs.
Department of Public Safety
The department must establish course standards by rule by December 1, 2025, and issue certificates of completion to individuals who finish the course.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for the required handgun safety course?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Mar 12, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
- Mar 12, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time
- Dec 12, 2024HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
capitol.texas.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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