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Bill

HB 1923

Relating to removing the requirement that an applicant for or holder of a license to carry a handgun provide fingerprints.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ben Bumgarner and 17 co-sponsors

Texas bill eliminates fingerprinting requirements for handgun license applicants, streamlining the process but potentially affecting background check reliability.

Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
#biometricidentifiers&voiceprints(s0449) #weapons(i0887)
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Bill Summary · HB 1923

Legislative bill overview

HB 1923 would eliminate fingerprinting requirements for Texas handgun license applicants and current license holders. Instead of providing fingerprints for background checks, applicants would rely on alternative identification methods during the licensing process.

Why is this important

Fingerprinting has been a standard law enforcement tool for decades to verify identity and cross-reference criminal databases. Removing this requirement could accelerate the licensing process and reduce costs, but also potentially affects the thoroughness of background checks used to screen applicants with disqualifying criminal histories.

Potential points of contention

  • Background check effectiveness: Fingerprints provide a reliable way to identify individuals with sealed, expunged, or out-of-state records; alternative methods may miss prior convictions
  • Administrative burden shift: Without fingerprints, law enforcement agencies may face increased costs verifying identities through other means or experience delayed processing
  • Public safety perspective: Second Amendment advocates argue fingerprinting creates unnecessary burden on law-abiding citizens, while law enforcement and public safety groups may contend fingerprints catch individuals who misrepresent their criminal history

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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