2020-02-04 Letter to Chris Lee, Joy San Buenaventura, Gregg Takayama, Cedric Gates. HB 1733, HB 2744, HB 2631, HB 1615, HB 2736

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HB 1733 Relating to Firearms HB 2744 Relating to Gun Violence Prevention HB 2631 Relating to Mental Health HB 1615 Relating to Firearms HB 2736 Relating to Firearms Ammunition February 4, 2020 Page 2 HB 2631 calls for a review of mental health records when issuing a permit to acquire a firearm. While this provision might require some elaboration as to whether it would apply to otherwise confidential medical records, the idea of keeping guns out of the hands of those with mental illness has been endorsed both by gun advocates and opponents. HB 1615 would prohibit possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated. Is this a difficult issue on which to find common ground? Fourth, HB 2736 would regulate ammunition the same way firearms are regulated, and require the licensing of sellers of ammunition. It would seem that this proposal would be particularly valuable in the case of a firearm that is lost or stolen, but in any event, I cannot help but think of the slogan that"Guns don't kill people; people kill people." Well, maybe guns don't kill people, but ammunition certainly does. There is very little in these four bills that would not be a reasonable regulation affecting the right to keep and bear arms, and I support them all. However, I would urge this Committee to address the confidentiality issues in HB 2631 related to mental health records (either by requiring the waiver of confidentiality in order to secure a firearm, or by limiting the records to be reviewed to court and/or public records). A fifth bill on your agenda is HB 2744. It would not affect the right to keep and bear arms, but simply establish a "gun violence prevention center" at the University. This bill recognizes that research at the national level has largely been stymied by those who anticipate that the results of study will not be favorable to their cause. I believe that public policy thrives when based on good data and research, and I therefore heartily endorse HB 2744. Restricting research should be a cause of national concern, which we can partially overcome by taking on the research task locally. Respectfully Submitted, / Harry Kim MAYOR County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.