2015-8-16 Target Shooting: Existing Facilities

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Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 134, Firearms, Ammunition and Dangerous Weapons, Section 134-5, Possession by licensed hunters and minors; target shooting; game hunting, explicitly states, "A hunting license shall not be required for persons engaged in target shooting." There are no known apparel requirements for target shooting. Enforcement attention appears focused on the 5 pages of stifling overregulation relating to firearms and ammunition prohibitions described in Section 13-123-22(2). In its exhausting narrative, many of the most popular target shooting firearms are categorically prohibited for hunting in Hawaii. Firearms of calibers .22, .30 Carbine, .38 Special, .44 Special, .45 ACP, and 9 mm, for example, are classified as prohibited firearms. Future Opportunities It is recommended that both long term and short term approaches be taken simultaneously to establish legal target shooting opportunities for Big Island citizens. For the long term, it is essential that everyone support the now 12 year-long effort to develop the planned Hawaii Public Shooting Complex at Pu'uanahulu. Progress is currently stalled with low DLNR priority, ineffective leadership, and lack of funding. The project needs a massive display of public support to overwhelm its small, but vocal and well -funded detractors. Hawaii's hunting rules must be substantially overhauled. When compared to other jurisdictions with similar or larger animal populations, Hawaii's rules are extraordinarily restrictive, with scant relationship to either game management or resource sustainability. The extensive and irrational firearms prohibitions are but one example. The ongoing effort for extensive revision must not only be continued, but accelerated. Pursuit of change in the rules governing activities in Forest Reserves is also recommended, specifically addressing the blanket prohibition on firearms contained in Section 13-104-9. Virtually every state with equal amounts of public land permits target shooting on at least some parts of it. There is no logical basis for complete prohibition. Until the described rule changes occur, the situation at 16 -mile and other Forest Reserve shooting range sites might be best resolved by requesting a Special Use Permit (as provided in Section 13-104-20) to engage in target shooting activities at specified locations therein. There is precedent for target shooting under Special Use Permit within the Forest Reserves. Should such request be denied, it is suggested the requester document the cause for rejection and pursue the request through the DLNR chain of command. Hunters routinely shoot in Forest Reserves without adverse consequences. Why should not other citizens be offered the same opportunity? RPH 08-16-15