87R2541 JCG-D     By: Martinez H.B. No. 670       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to prohibiting the reckless discharge of a firearm;   creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 22, Penal Code, is amended by adding   Section 22.055 to read as follows:          Sec. 22.055.  RECKLESS DISCHARGE OF FIREARM. (a) In this   section:                (1)  "Blanks" means ammunition for a firearm that lacks   shot or a bullet.                (2)  "Hunting" means to hunt, as defined by Section   1.101, Parks and Wildlife Code.          (b)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly   discharges a firearm and at the time of discharge:                (1)  is reckless as to whether the firearm was aimed at   the person's intended target; or                (2)  did not have an intended target.          (c)  An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor,   except that the offense is a felony of the second degree if it is   shown on the trial of the offense that serious bodily injury or   death was suffered by any person by reason of the commission of the   offense.          (d)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that   the person discharged the firearm:                (1)  at a sport shooting range, as defined by Section   250.001, Local Government Code;                (2)  while hunting as licensed, permitted, or otherwise   authorized by the Parks and Wildlife Department;                (3)  while the firearm was loaded with blanks; or                (4)  while in the course of making a motion picture or   television or digital production for which the Texas Film   Commission or a political subdivision of this state has issued a   permit.          (e)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this   section also constitutes an offense under another section of this   code, the actor may be prosecuted under this section or the other   section of this code.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.