Hawaii: Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in Committees of Both Chambers

This week, both the House Committee on Judiciary and Senate Committee on Judiciary will be considering numerous anti-gun measures.  Please consider submitting testimony through the Hawaii  Legislative website and by clicking on the “Take Action” buttons below to email members directly.   For help creating an account and submitting testimony, click here.​

On Tuesday, February 19^th, the Hawaii House Committee on Judiciary will be hearing House Bill 720.  Please consider submitting testimony through the Hawaii Legislative Website and click the "Take Action" button below to voice your opposition to this legislation.

House Bill 720, introduced by Representative Chris Lee (D-51), would set a one-size-fits-all requirement for gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours, further victimizing gun owners who have suffered a loss or theft of their property.  The House Committee on Public Safety, Veteran and Military Affairs passed HB 720 with amendments.  It has been scheduled for hearing on Tuesday February 19^th in the House Committee on Judiciary.

On Friday, February 22^nd, the Hawaii Senate Committee on Judiciary will be holding a decision making hearing on SB 600, SB 621, and SB 1466.  The committee will not allow oral testimony during this hearing, so it’s imperative that you submit testimony through the legislative website to be included as part of the record in addition to contacting members of the committee through the “Take Action” button.

Senate Bill 600, introduced by Senator Clarence Nishihara (D-17), would raise the minimum age to transport a firearm into the state to the age of 21.  By raising the age for firearm importation, persons who have lawfully acquired firearms outside of Hawaii who are traveling to the state for purposes of hunting, target competition, or even relocating would be discriminated against based on their age and denied their constitutional rights.  

Senate Bill 621, introduced by Senator Nishihara, would set a one-size-fits-all requirement for gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours, further victimizing gun owners who have suffered a loss or theft of their property.  

Senate Bill 1466, introduced by Senator Karl Rhoads (D-29), would create Gun Violence Protective Orders (GVPO).  A GVPO would be issued not because a person has been convicted of a crime or adjudicated mentally ill, but instead on third party allegations.  This legislation lacks strong due process protections, contains low evidentiary standards, and falls well below the norm for removing fundamental, constitutional rights.  

Last week, the House Committee on Public Safety, Veteran and Military Affairs passed HB 720 with amendments and deferred HB 1486 and HB 1543.

House Bill 720, introduced by Representative Chris Lee (D-51), would set a one-size-fits-all requirement for gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours, further victimizing gun owners who have suffered a loss or theft of their property.  The House Committee on Public Safety, Veteran and Military Affairs passed HB 720 with amendments. It has been scheduled for hearing on Tuesday February 19^th in the House Committee on Judiciary.

House Bill 1486, introduced by Rep. Lee, would shorten the duration of carry permits in Hawaii from one year to six months, requiring training to be completed before each renewal or prior to issuance, as well as require the person to carry an electric stun device in addition to their firearm.  This legislation appears to be nothing more than an attempt to discourage persons seeking a carry permit in Hawaii by putting unrealistic barriers for compliance.  The House Committee on Public Safety, Veteran and Military Affairs deferred this measure.

House Bill 1543 introduced by Rep. Lee, would create Gun Violence Protective Orders (GVPO).  A GVPO would be issued not because a person has been convicted of a crime or adjudicated mentally ill, but instead on third party allegations.  This legislation lacks strong due process protections, contains low evidentiary standards, and falls well below the norm for removing constitutional rights.  The House Committee on Public Safety, Veteran and Military Affairs deferred this measure.

Again, please click the “Take Action” buttons above to contact members of the House Committee on Judiciary to OPPOSE HB 720 and members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary to OPPOSE SB 600, SB 621, and SB 1466.