Last week, the 2015 Hawaii Legislature adjourned sine die without any anti-gun bills passing. Because this is the first year of the bi-annual session, legislation will carry over to the next legislative session. Notably, last week you contacted your state legislators in opposition to House Bill 888, the dangerous bill which was aimed at those who recklessly possess a firearm while intoxicated but could potentially extend to a firearm that isn’t actually in one’s possession but nearby or accessible in one’s home. Thankfully, legislators responded by respecting your Second Amendment rights. HB 888 was unanimously recommitted to conference committee where it has been declared dead for this year. Please thank the state legislators listed below for supporting your Second Amendment rights.
In addition to HB 888, your active involvement prevented numerous anti-gun bills from progressing through the legislature, including Senate Bill 674 and House Bill 837. These ivory regulation bills were introduced with the supposed intent of curbing poaching of elephants in Africa and helping to end the illegal ivory trade. However, they would have negatively impacted parties who have not participated in the illegal ivory trade; firearm owners, sportsmen, hunters, recreational shooters and gun collectors who have legally purchased firearms (knives, jewelry, musical instruments and other items) that have legally incorporated ivory features for decades.
Further, Senate Bill 783 and Senate Bill 462 were both deferred indefinitely. SB 783 sought to expand the list of prohibited possessors and disqualify individuals from the ownership, possession and control of firearms and ammunition. SB 462 would have required citizens denied a firearms permit to provide a sworn statement saying they have surrendered any firearms and ammunition in their possession and required police to collect all firearms and ammunition from denied individuals foregoing any opportunity to appeal prior to confiscation.
Thank you to all NRA members and Second Amendment supporters who contacted their legislators in opposition to these bills. Your NRA will continue to stand and fight for the rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen across Hawaii.
Hawaii Representatives who indicated a "no" vote on House Bill 888:
Contact information can be found here.
Representative Henry Aquino (D-38)
Representative Issac Choy (D-23)
Representative Ty Cullen (D-39)
Representative Lynn DeCoite (D-13)
Representative Beth Fukumoto Chang (R-36)
Representative Sharon Har (D-42)
Representative Mark Hashem (D-18)
Representative Linda Ichiyama (D-32)
Representative Ken Ito (D-49)
Representative Jo Jordan (D-44)
Representative Derek Kawakami (D-14)
Representative Lauren Matsumoto (R-45)
Representative Bob McDermott (R-40)
Representative Sam Satoru Kong (D-33)
Representative Angus McKelvey (D-10)
Representative Richard Onishi (D-3)
Representative Marcus Oshiro (D-46)
Representative Feki Pouha (R-47)
Representative Calvin Say (D-20)
Representative Cynthia Thielen (R-50)
Representative James Kunane Tokioka (D-15)
Representative Cliff Tsuji (D-2)
Representative Andria Tupola (R-43)
Representative Gene Ward (R-17)
Representative Ryan Yamane (D-37)
Representative Kyle Yamashita (D-12)
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