2014 House Bill 5327

Make government firearms ownership databases non-public information

Introduced in the House

Feb. 13, 2014

Introduced by Rep. Bruce Rendon (R-103)

To establish that state records and databases related to individual firearms ownership and permits are confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The bill authorizes law enforcement exceptions allowing access based on reasonable suspicion of a crime or threat, and that violations would be a misdemeanor subject to jail and fines.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Feb. 27, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 12, 2014

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jim Townsend (D-26)

To add House Bill 4774 to the ones that must pass for this bill to become law. HB 4774 would expand to all gun purchases, including rifles and shotguns, a state pistol purchase “license” mandate that applies to person-to-person sales but not gun store sales.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-66)

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R-41)

To strip out a provision that would make violating the bill's ban on improperly releasing individual firearms records a civil fine only; the original proposal would have made violations a misdemeanor.

The amendment failed by voice vote

March 13, 2014

Amendment offered by Rep. Martin Howrylak (R-41)

To revise the bill's exception authorizing release of firearms records to a law enforcement officer who has reasonable suspicion that a person may be a threat, so it also applies to another law enforcement officer who may be a threat.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 82 to 27 (details)

To establish that state records and databases related to individual firearms ownership and permits are confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The bill authorizes law enforcement exceptions allowing access based on reasonable suspicion of a crime or threat, and a $500 civil fine for violations.

Received in the Senate

March 18, 2014

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

April 23, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.