Three gun control bills that have serious consequences for sportsmen and gun owners were recently heard in their respective committees. Unfortunately, anti-gun advocates seem to think that making the ownership of firearms more restrictive or holding third parties responsible for the criminal actions of others will reduce criminal activity. As law-abiding sportsmen and gun owners, we know bills like these only affect us and have nothing to do with public safety and reducing the criminal misuse of firearms and ammunition. It is clear the real motivation behind this type of legislation is to restrict law-abiding citizens without benefiting public safety.
SB 33 prohibits the selling of ammunition or shell casings, unless the purchaser proves that they are the registered owner of the firearm the ammunition or casing is needed for or the purchaser is the designated “alternate” individual by the registered owner. Gun owners may only designate one alternate person on a registration form. The committee deferred SB 33. This means SB 33 has been passed by for the day but could be brought back up at a later date.
HB 426 authorizes the Attorney General and others to sue firearms manufacturers for the violent acts of third parties. This legislation will cripple the firearm industry by instituting new policies and procedures that will make it nearly impossible to engage in the lawful sale and/or trade of firearms in the state. This is bad policy motivated by those who simply want to destroy the sporting community because they know that if the industry cannot engage in lawful commerce, hunters and sport shooters cannot hunt and shoot. HB 426 passed the House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee by a 7-2 vote. We are expecting HB 426 to go to the House floor, but we will inform you as soon as we have confirmation.
HB 804 requires the state’s issuing authorities to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Terrorist Screening Center about all prospective firearm permit applicants. Individuals are placed on this list when there is a reasonable suspicion they are a known or suspected terrorist. Individuals on this list do not receive notice nor does placement necessarily correlate between criminal convictions or accusations. The committee deferred HB 804. Just like SB 33 listed above, HB 804 has been passed by for the day but could be brought back up at a later date.
Please check out our legislative map to view what other legislation the Sportsmen’s Alliance is monitoring in the Aloha State and around the nation.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.