Hawaii: Committee Hearing Scheduled for Gun Bills

Tomorrow, the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs committee will be considering three gun bills; Senate Bill 955, Senate Bill 473 and Senate Bill 462 at 1:15 p.m. in Conference Room 229 of the State Capitol.

SUPPORT Senate Bill 955, introduced by Senator Sam Slom (R-9), provides protections for shooting range operators and individuals engaging in target-shooting, against burdensome retroactive regulations, lawsuits, and frivolous claims.

SUPPORT Senate Bill 473, introduced by Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran (D-5), would implement a state program to allow active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm, pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.

OPPOSE Senate Bill 462, introduced by Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran (D-5), would require citizens denied a firearms permit to provide a sworn statement saying they have surrendered any firearms and ammunition in their possession. Under current Hawaii law, the county police “may” require individuals denied a permit to dispose of, or turn in, all firearms within thirty days of denial. This allows Hawaiians the opportunity to challenge any allegations which may be prohibiting them from receiving a firearms permit.  SB 462 would change the law to say the county police “shall” collect all firearms and ammunition from individuals denied a permit, eliminating the necessary discretion currently available in cases where an individual needs the opportunity to show a disability does not exist, particularly as it pertains to medical records. This bill will not improve public safety; instead it will create additional hurdles for law abiding gun owners.

Please contact the members of the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee and politely urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bills 955 and 473 and OPPOSE Senate Bill 462.

Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee:

Senator Will Espero (D-19), Chair
(808) 586-6360
senespero@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, (D-6), Vice Chair
(808) 586-6070
senbaker@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Sam Slom (R-9)
(808) 586-8426
senslom@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran (D-5)
(808) 586-7344
senkeithagaran@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Brickwood Galuteria (D-12)
(808) 586-6829
sengaluteria@capitol.hawaii.gov