H.B. 259 - Protect Law Enforcement Act

• Requires all firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals to occur through a federally licensed firearms dealer, law enforcement agency, or specified exception, with background checks conducted.

• Federally licensed dealers must comply with federal background check requirements (18 U.S.C. 922(t)) and conduct incompetency records checks through the attorney general before approving transfers.

• Law enforcement agencies may assist in transfers by conducting national instant criminal background checks, incompetency records checks, identity verification, and notifying parties whether the transfer is prohibited.

• Establishes narrow exceptions to transfer requirements including temporary transfers for self-defense, hunting, shooting competitions, and transfers to law enforcement or government agencies.

• Creates a new crime of "illegal transfer of a firearm" as a misdemeanor with escalating penalties: fourth degree (first violation), second degree (second violation), and first degree (three or more violations).