TX HB2458

Creates a new legal defense for aggravated assault charges when a person threatens death or serious bodily injury by displaying a deadly weapon

Defense applies when the threat would be justified under Chapter 9 of the Penal Code (which covers justification and self-defense)

Requires the person to have reasonably believed that displaying the weapon was immediately necessary to defend against another's use or attempted use of unlawful force or deadly force

Applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025; offenses before that date remain governed by prior law

Effectively protects individuals from aggravated assault prosecution when they display a weapon in legitimate self-defense situations without actually using it