87R2052 TSS-D     By: Bernal H.B. No. 213       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to limiting the locations where a person may carry a   firearm other than a handgun; creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 46.02, Penal Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-5) to read as   follows:          (a)  A person commits an offense if the person:                (1)  intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries   on or about his or her person a firearm [handgun]; and                (2)  is not:                      (A)  on the person's own premises or premises   under the person's control; or                      (B)  inside of or directly en route to a motor   vehicle or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the   person's control.          (a-5)  It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)   that:                (1)  the actor was carrying a firearm other than a   handgun;                (2)  the actor was on a premises owned by another or was   inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that   is owned by another;                (3)  the owner of the premises, motor vehicle, or   watercraft gave the actor verbal or written authorization to carry   the firearm on the premises or in the motor vehicle or watercraft,   as applicable;                (4)  carrying or possessing a firearm other than a   handgun on those premises or in the motor vehicle or watercraft is   not otherwise prohibited under this chapter or other law; and                (5)  the premises, vehicle, or watercraft is not open   to or accessible by the public.          SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An   offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed   by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of   this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of   this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.