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HB 396

Relating to the prohibition on the possession of a firearm by a person following the person's conviction of certain family violence misdemeanors.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Terry Meza

Texas bill prohibits firearm possession for people convicted of specified family violence misdemeanors, expanding domestic violence gun restrictions.

Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
#family--familyviolence(i0353) #weapons(i0887)
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Bill Summary · HB 396

Legislative bill overview

HB 396 would prohibit individuals convicted of certain family violence misdemeanors from possessing firearms. The bill expands existing federal restrictions by applying similar restrictions at the state level for domestic violence-related convictions. This aligns Texas law more closely with federal statutes that already restrict firearm possession for those convicted of domestic violence crimes.

Why is this important

Domestic violence and firearm access are connected to increased risks of intimate partner homicide and family-related gun deaths. This bill addresses a potential gap where state-level enforcement of firearm restrictions following family violence convictions could strengthen enforcement mechanisms. The measure directly affects public safety in domestic contexts while touching on questions about sentencing, conviction records, and Second Amendment rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment concerns: Gun rights advocates may argue the restriction infringes on constitutional rights, particularly for misdemeanor convictions versus felonies
  • Scope of "family violence": Debate over which specific misdemeanors should trigger firearm prohibition and how "family violence" is legally defined
  • Enforcement and implementation: Questions about how the restriction would be enforced, monitored, and whether resources exist for compliance tracking
  • Retroactive application: Uncertainty whether the restriction applies only to future convictions or also to past convictions, which creates constitutional questions

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

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