Hawaii: Gun Ban Bills Scheduled for Public Hearings this Thursday!

On Thursday, February 6^th, the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs will hold a public hearing on several bills that will further restrict your Second Amendment rights. Please consider submitting testimony OPPOSING HB 125, HB 279, HB 392 and HB 893 through the Hawaii Legislative website. For help creating an account and submitting testimony, click here.

House Bill 893 expands upon Hawaii’s existing “assault pistol” ban to now include commonly owned rifles and shotguns by instituting restrictions based on a “single feature” test.  These firearms are widely used for self-defense, recreational shooting, and hunting, and have now been vilified due to cosmetic features. Additionally, HB 893 would impose a ban on standard capacity magazines capable of accepting more than 10 rounds. These so-called “high capacity” magazines are, in fact, standard equipment for commonly owned firearms that many Americans legally and effectively use for an entire range of legitimate purposes, such as self-defense or competition.  

House Bill 392 further restricts the centuries-old practice of building firearms for personal use ​and self-defense by imposing restrictions that far exceed those in federal law. Existing state law prohibits the purchase or acquisition of firearm parts with the purpose of assembling a firearm, however HB 392 would now prohibit private individuals from possessing currently legal firearms that don’t have serial numbers.

House Bill 125 expands upon Hawaii’s existing firearm storage mandate by requiring firearms to be stored in a locked box, safe or with a trigger locking mechanism, with limited exceptions. Any violation would be a misdemeanor offense, and HB 125 would also hold the firearm owner strictly liable for third-parties misuse of a firearm that was not stored in compliance with the provisions of the legislation.

House Bill 279 restricts an individual from having firearm parts outside of their home or business and only allows transport of firearm parts to specific locations such as an FFL for repair, a gun range, or for a “formal hunter or firearm use” instruction. HB 279 further requires firearm parts to be transported in an “enclosed container”, and any violation will be a criminal offense.

Again, submit testimony on the Hawaii Legislative website to OPPOSE HB 125, HB 279, HB 392 and HB 893. Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for future updates as the session progresses.