HB 5158 Summary

• Professional bondsmen, surety bail bond agents, and bail enforcement agents must obtain a special permit from the Commissioner of Public Safety to carry firearms, and must complete an approved firearms safety course and annual refresher training as a condition of renewal.

• Prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or transfer of firearm facsimiles that could reasonably be perceived as real firearms, with exceptions for items with distinct colors, exaggerated sizes, or other design features making them clearly distinguishable; violators face class B misdemeanor charges.

• Lowers the legal blood alcohol content threshold for carrying a loaded firearm from 0.10% to 0.08% and establishes specific penalties for hunting while impaired or under the influence of intoxicating substances.

• Establishes new requirements for firearms instructors, including approval by the Commissioner of Public Safety, background checks, and a $50 approval fee with two-year renewal terms; prohibits approval for those convicted of certain felonies or misdemeanors.

• Requires gun show promoters to notify the Commissioner of Public Safety and local law enforcement at least 30 days before the event; expands criminal possession of firearm/pistol statutes to include violations of court orders prohibiting possession.