Rare 2A Victory in Hawaii

Anti-gunners in Hawaii regularly have their way in the state legislature, constantly running roughshod over the rights of law-abiding residents and visitors. Recently, however, two very damaging anti-gun bills were defeated in the Hawaii legislature—a rarity in the Aloha State.

When the state legislature recently adjourned its 2020 regular session, two bills—one restricting magazine capacity and the other placing additional restrictions on ammunition purchases—were officially defeated.

House Bill 1902 would have prohibited the manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer or acquisition of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, making it one strictest so-called “high-capacity” magazine bans in the country. Possession of magazines acquired prior to the ban would have remained legal, but would have been prohibited from any transfer other than inheritance.

Senate Bill 2635 would have required anyone purchasing ammunition to provide proof of firearm registration for the particular caliber of purchase. The owner of a firearm would have also been able to designate an alternate person who, after fingerprinting and a background check, would have been issued a permit to purchase ammunition for that firearm.

Unfortunately for the state’s law-abiding gun owners, not all anti-gun measures met such a happy ending this session. The legislature passed House Bill 2744, which has gone to Democrat Gov. David Ige for his consideration. If signed, it will severely restrict sale, purchase and possession of certain firearms parts. The measure, an apparent attempt to ban home-built guns, contains overly broad language and would implement severe felony penalties for those violating it.

The legislature also passed Senate Bill 3054, which has also been sent to the governor’s desk. If he signs that measure, it will require notice of permanent removal of a firearm outside the state with the registering county within five days. Additionally, a $100-per-firearm penalty will be accessed for noncompliance with the new law.

Freelance writer and editor Mark Chesnut is the owner/editorial director at Red Setter Communications LLC. An avid hunter, shooter and political observer, he has been covering Second Amendment issues and politics on a near-daily basis for the past 20 years.