The Hawaii State Legislature ended on time for 2013 on May 2. Firearms rights advocates can take great pride that what started out as the worst year in Hawaii State history for 2nd Amendment supporters is ending positively. Terrible bills, including a ban on semi-auto look-a-likes with confiscation, an intrusive mental health bill creating a government list of persons unsuitable for firearms with a felony charge for mental health caregivers who fail to report a patient, gun buy-backs, biannual training for all gun owners, and old schemes resurrected like show registration of a firearm in the caliber you wish to purchase, and periodic re-registration.

SB 69, SD2, HD1, CD1 passed in the form supported by HRA, and opposed by NRA. HRA worked hard through five different committees to remove all references to gun buybacks, special mental health checks by the PD’s, and gun safety taught by the PD’s. The bill affects only individuals already required to register guns they bring in from out of state. Effective July 1, 2013, the county Police Departments will be required to use the National Instant Check System (NICS) on these registrants, a simple phone call to BATFE, plus fingerprint and photograph the registrant and collect the floating FBI fee for fingerprints, currently $16.50, one time only. The window for registering is increased to 3 days from 5. No appropriations are authorized. For the full bill language, go to: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2013/bills/SB69_CD1_.htm

HB 200, the State Budget, passed with funding intact for the world class PUUANAHULU SHOOTING RANGE FACILITY in Kailua-Kona.

Hawaii gun rights supporters worked together cohesively and gained respect with our State Legislators this year, a critical need in order to advance HRA’s long term goal of amending our State’s overly restrictive firearms statutes. We could have easily gone the other direction as did other states with liberal-controlled legislatures, like Connecticut and New York.

Give yourselves and our cooperative Legislators a big Mahalo and job well done. Stay active and vigilant. We have much to do before next year.