By Graham Norris

When Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 1927 in 2021, most headlines focused on the controversial shift to constitutional carry. Lost in the debate about permitless handgun carry was a quiet provision that created something entirely different: a second chance for thousands of Texans with old firearms convictions on their records.

This lesser-known aspect of the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 didn’t just change how Texans could carry weapons going forward—it opened a door to erase certain convictions from the past. For those who faced charges under the old law, House Bill 1927 created new expunction opportunities that simply didn’t exist before September 1, 2021.

What House Bill 1927 Changed for Texas Gun Laws

House Bill 1927 fundamentally transformed Texas firearms law by introducing constitutional carry, allowing most law-abiding adults to carry handguns without permits. Recognizing these changes helps explain why certain old convictions became eligible for expunction.

Key changes implemented by House Bill 1927:

• Permitless carry for eligible adults – Texans aged 21 and older can now carry handguns in public without a license, provided they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms
• Effective date – All changes took effect on September 1, 2021, creating a clear dividing line between old law and new law
• Constitutional carry concept – The law recognizes that the Second Amendment protects the right to carry firearms for self-defense, making permits unnecessary for law-abiding citizens
• Prohibited persons remain prohibited – Felons, those with certain assault convictions, people under protective orders, and others banned under federal law still cannot legally carry
• Enhanced penalties – The law actually increased penalties for illegal weapons possession by felons and criminal street gang members

New Expunction Opportunities for Old Firearms Convictions

Beyond changing carry laws, House Bill 1927 created new paths to clear old records by amending the Texas expunction statute. This change recognized that conduct once criminal should no longer burden someone’s record when that same conduct became legal.

Who Qualifies for Expunction Under HB 1927

People convicted of unlawfully carrying a weapon under Section 46.02(a) of the Texas Penal Code before September 1, 2021, may now be eligible for expunction. This covers cases where someone was convicted of carrying a handgun without a license under the previous law. The key requirements are that the conviction must have occurred before the constitutional carry effective date, and the person must not be otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms.

The Legal Mechanism: Article 55.01 Amendment

House Bill 1927 amended Article 55.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to specifically allow expunction of these firearms-related offenses. This amendment created a new category of expunction eligibility based on the legal principle that people shouldn’t continue to suffer consequences for conduct that’s no longer considered criminal. The law treats these cases similarly to other situations where convictions can be expunged after legal changes.

What This Means for Your Record

When a firearms conviction is expunged under this provision, all records are completely destroyed—not just sealed or hidden. This means the arrest, charges, and conviction are eliminated from your criminal history as if they never happened. You can legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most situations, and the expunged record won’t appear on background checks for employment, housing, or other purposes.

The Expunction Process for House Bill 1927 Cases

Recognizing your potential eligibility is just the first step. Actually obtaining an expunction under House Bill 1927 requires following a specific legal process with precise requirements and deadlines.

Filing Requirements and Court Jurisdiction

You must file a petition for expunction in the district court where your original case was handled or where the arrest occurred. The petition requires detailed personal information, specifics about your conviction, and a comprehensive list of all agencies that may have records related to your case. Filing fees vary by county but typically range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars.

Required Documentation and Evidence

Your petition must include verified documentation proving your conviction occurred before September 1, 2021, under the specific statute covered by House Bill 1927. You’ll need court records showing the exact charges, conviction date, and case disposition. The petition must also demonstrate that you’re not currently prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law.

The Court Process

After filing, the court schedules a hearing and provides notice to the district attorney’s office and all agencies listed in your petition. The prosecutor has the opportunity to contest your expunction, though objections are less common for House Bill 1927 cases since the legislature specifically authorized these expunctions. If uncontested, you may not need to appear at the hearing.

After Court Approval

Once the judge signs the expunction order, it must be served on every agency, jail, court, and private entity that has records of your case. These organizations are legally required to destroy all records and remove index references. The process can take several months to fully complete as agencies comply with the destruction order.

What Restrictions and Limitations Still Apply

Constitutional carry doesn’t mean unrestricted carry. House Bill 1927 maintained numerous limitations that affect both current carry rights and expunction eligibility.

Certain locations remain off-limits for handgun carry, including schools, polling places, courts, airports, and businesses that derive 51 percent or more of their income from alcohol sales. These restrictions ensure that sensitive areas maintain enhanced security.

People prohibited by state or federal law cannot benefit from either constitutional carry or the new expunction opportunities. This includes those with felony convictions, certain domestic violence convictions, and anyone subject to restraining orders.

Businesses retain the right to prohibit weapons on their property by posting appropriate signage. Property owners’ rights weren’t diminished by the constitutional carry law.

Peace officers can still temporarily disarm individuals when they reasonably believe it’s necessary for safety. This authority helps law enforcement manage potentially dangerous situations while respecting carry rights.

Enhanced penalties remain in effect for prohibited persons who illegally possess weapons. House Bill 1927 actually strengthened consequences for those who shouldn’t have firearms in the first place, particularly gang members and repeat offenders.

Take Control of Your Future: Clear Your Record Today

If you have an old firearms conviction from before September 2021, House Bill 1927 may have created an opportunity that didn’t exist when you were first charged. However, expunctions don’t happen automatically—you must take action to petition the court and work through the legal process. Time may also be a factor, as legal windows for expunction can have limitations.

Don’t let an old firearms conviction continue to impact your employment opportunities, housing applications, or personal reputation when Texas law may now allow you to clear that record completely. The criminal defense team at Norris Legal Group has handled over 3,600 cases and secured more than 400 dismissals, bringing the same dedication to expunction cases that has earned them a reputation for putting clients first with transparent communication and dignified treatment.