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Crowd packs
Capitol to debate
gun issues
One measure that prompts
disagreement is a proposal to re-
register guns periodicallyGiving gun bills a shot
By Richard Borreca
Taking aim at tougher laws
How to buy a gun in Hawaii
Star-BulletinOpponents of gun control and supporters of stricter gun laws squared off this morning in one of the most crowded hearings this year at the Legislature.
The hearing, before the Senate Judiciary Committee, was on a number of proposals, among them having gun owners register their weapons every five years; requiring that guns be stored in commercial weapons' safes, and allowing only registered gun owners to be able to buy ammunition and then, only for their specific gun.
As the hearing got under way, senators asked spectators to leave the room, which could only hold 58. Television sets were set up outside the hearing room to show the proceedings.
"Vehicle owners must periodically have their vehicle's equipment checked for safety purposes and must also prove their fitness to drive those vehicles. We think responsible gun ownership should include periodic registration," said Peter Carlisle, Honolulu prosecuting attorney.
The re-registration measure was opposed by Brian Baron, with the Hawaii Citizens' Rights PAC, who said the bill would have done nothing "to prevent Byran Uyesugi from using one of his guns in the Xerox shooting."
"No other state requires reregistration," he said. The bill also was opposed by the National Rifle Association.Brian D.W. Chun, legislative representative of the company Lessons in Firearms Education, called re-registration "harassment and abuse of law-abiding citizens and will never prevent another Xerox shooting."
But Susan LaFountaine, co-chair of the Keiki Injury Prevention Caucus, said, "This bill strengthens the safety net to prevent guns being used for illegal purposes."
Also in favor of the bills were the Bell Campaign, the League of Women Voters and Hawaii Women Lawyers, who said "reducing violence in our society is one of the best things that can be done."
Chris Scott, who said she was a handgun owner and a mother, said reregistering handguns would take too much time.
"I would have to load up all my firearms in my car, take a day off and go down to HPD to reregister all my firearms."
She said a computerized "instant check system" would be better.
"With all the technology available, HPD could run checks on us every year, or even monthly, to determine which of us have become villains," she said.
Others said anything that law enforcement could do to restrict the use and ownership of guns would help.
"Seeing my 12-year-old grandson with a bullet in his head, is a pain that no one but the families of the Xerox shooting and other victims of gun violence can understand," said Judith Mathias, of Kalih, whose grandson was killed in a shooting accident.
Giving gun bills a shot
Nearly 80 bills relating to firearms issues are being considered by the current Legislature. All bills listed in this synopsis have passed first reading, unless otherwise indicated. HB183 RELATING TO HUNTING, Introduced by Rep E. Hamakawa, (586-8480), allows a person to carry and use any lawfully acquired pistol or revolver while hunting. Passed First Reading
HB236 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep Robert Herkes, (586-6530) Authorizes the lieutenant governor to issue licenses to carry concealed weapons or firearms including handguns, electronic firearms weapons or devices, tear gas guns or knives.
HB290 RELATING TO AMMUNITION.Introduced by Rep. K. Mark Takai (586-8455) Requires only registered gun owner to buy ammunition a registered firearm. Passed First Reading
HB291 RELATING TO STORAGE OF FIREARMS, Introduced by Rep. Takai (586-8455) Requires gun owner to keep gun in a commercially manufactured firearm safe. Passed First Reading.
HB500 HD3 SD1 CD1 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Jerry Chang (586-6120) Allows non resident alien, to bring in a firearm for not more than 90 days if they have a valid Hawaii hunting license, a commercial or private shooting preserve permit, a written document indicating the person has been invited to the State to shoot on private land, or written notification from a firing range or target shooting business indicating that the person actually engaged in target shooting Jul-02 99 Approved by Governor (Act 217 1999).
HB592 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Paul Oshiro (586-6360) Prohibits members of police firearms departments, sheriffs and law enforcement officers convicted of abuse of family or household members from exemption. Passed First Reading.
HB594 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Paul Oshiro (586-6360) Changes 1995 law regarding ownership or possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person who is restrained pursuant to an order of any court. Passed First Reading
HB604 RELATING TO RESTRAINING AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS Introduced by Rep. Paul Oshiro (586-6360) Prohibits gun ownership to anyone who is under a court restraining order. Passed First Reading
HB1007 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Provides that firearm conviction and sentencing shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any conviction or sentence for a separate felony, and that sentence imposed may run concurrently or consecutively. Passed First Reading
HB1185 RELATING TO HUNTING Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100). Allows hunters to carry a pistol or revolver while engaged in hunting. Passed First reading.
HB1483 RELATING TO ROBBERY. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Amends definition of dangerous instrument to include any firearm, weapon, device, instrument, firearm material, or substance which is intended to be used or that appears to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury Passed First Reading
HB1527 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Authorizes a 25 cents a day fee for firearms stored by a law enforcement agency due to a protective order or domestic abuse situation Passed First Reading .
HB1531 RELATING TO FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND DANGEROUS WEAPONS. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) . Requires only registered gun owner to buy ammunition a registered firearm. Passed First Reading
HB1546 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Firearm dealers shall be exempt from obtaining a permit when importing firearms, amends provision relating to ownership of automatic weapons. Provides exception for firearm dealers and authorizes sale of ammunition magazines from firearm manufacturers to law enforcement officers. Passed First Reading
HB1828 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Alex Santiago (586-6380) Bans sale or possession of pistols and revolvers after July 1, 2000. Passed First Reading
HB1842 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Marion Lee (586-9460) Bands possesion of firearm for anyone restrained by a court order. Passed First Reading.
HB1880 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep.Say (586-6100) Requires all persons owning guns to show police department they still meet the requirements to own a gun. Passed First Reading.
HB1919 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Dennis Arakaki (586-6050 Provides that after June 30, 2000 no person shall possess a pistol or revolver. Exempts any antiques. Passed First Reading
HB1929 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Eric Hamakawa (586-8480) Allows law enforcement officers of the state and counties to use stun guns. Passed First Reading
HB1952 RELATING TO HANDGUNS. Introduced by Rep.Roy Takumi (586-6170) Creates the handgun safety performance standard commission to adopt a handgun safety performance standard for all handguns. Passed First Reading. HB1957 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep.Robert Herkes (586-6530) Allows persons with a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Passed First reading.
HB1973 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep.Kenny Goodenow (586-9450) Guns owners who sell, give or lend their guns can't buy another for 10 years. Passed First Reading
HB1974 RELATING TO FIREARMS Introduced by Rep.Kenny Goodenow (586-9450) Requires all firearms to be stored in locked containers. Passed First Reading
HB2025 RELATING TO INCREASED PENALTIES FOR FIREARMS USE IN COMMISSION OF A FELONY. Introduced by Rep.Barbara Marumoto (586-6310) Amends provision relating to sentence of imprisonment for use of a firearm, semiautomatic firearm, or automatic firearm in a felony Passed First Reading
HB2078 RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY.Introduced by Rep. David Morihara (586-6330) Establishes that any child who commits a crime with a gun while attending school may be excluded from attending school for a minimum of 1 year. Passed First Reading .
HB2131 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introcued by Rep. Terry Yoshinaga (586-8450) Allows police to carry stun guns. Passed First Reading
HB2144 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Eric Hamakawa (586-8480) Amendment relating to firearms Passed First Reading . HB2226 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introdued by Rep. Paul Whalen (586-9385)Requires that the guns of persons convicted of a convicted of a felony are destroyed. Passed First Reading HB2325 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Ed Case (586-8475) Forbids persons under 21 from owning guns. Passed First Reading
HB2399 RELATING TO CRIMES INVOLVING FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Mark Moses (586-8500) Those convicted of using a firearm in a felony would be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term without possibility of parole. Passed First Reading
HB2546 RELATING TO AMMUNITION. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Requires ammunition to only be sold to those who have a valid firearms permit. Passed First Reading
HB2547 RELATING TO FIREARMS. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) All registered gun owners would have to reregister their firearms. Passed First Reading
HB2577 RELATING TO HUNTING LICENSES. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Requires those who request hunting licenses to say if they have been denied a gun permit. Passed First Reading
HB2685 RELATING TO BURGLARY. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Defines dangerous instrument to mean any firearm, whether loaded or not, and whether operable or not, or other firearm weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which in the manner it is used or intended to be used is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. Passed First Reading
HB2693 RELATING TO SENTENCING. Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say (586-6100) Prohibits person convicted of felony firearm offenses from being eligible for terms of probation. Passed First Reading
HB2699 RELATING TO HANDGUNS. Introduced by Rep. Brian Schatz (586-9425) Amends the firearms law to require each person who owns a handgun to maintain a 1 million dollar liability firearms insurance for bodily injury or death resulting from the negligent discharge of a handgun. Passed First Reading
HB2754 RELATING TO VIOLENCE. Introduced by Rep. Bob Nakasone (586-6210) Requires physicians, psychologists, or psychiatrist who provide diagnostic or counseling services to persons with drug addiction or behavioral, emotional, or mental disorders, give the names of their patients to the chief of police, who will then be allowed to seize all firearms and firearms ammunition in the possession of such individuals. Passed First Reading
