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Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br />County of Hawai i <br />Office of the Mayor <br />Wil Okabe <br />Managing Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />February 12, 2019 <br />Representative Gregg Takayama, Chair <br />Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, and Military Affairs <br />Dear Chair Takayama and Committee Members: <br />RE: HB1543 Relating to Gun Violence Protective Orders <br />HB 1486 Relating to Guns <br />HB 720 Relating to Firearms <br />Three bills on today's agenda deal with gun rights and gun safety. I thank you for scheduling them for <br />hearing, and hope you will be able to approve them. <br />HB1543 would provide for protective orders, a concept that has gotten much national attention in recent <br />months. The idea has grown out of the need to curb the gun violence that has become so prevalent in the <br />United States, and as the Preamble to HB 1543 correctly points out, to which Hawaii is not immune. While <br />there are details in HB 1543 that are beyond my expertise, it appears to me that the authors have drawn a fair <br />and proper balance between the rights of gun owners, and society's interest in safety. <br />HB 1486 would require a person to take a training or safety course before getting a permit to carry. I <br />have no doubt that someone will find this too onerous a restriction on their right to bear arms, but I would argue <br />that it is a perfectly reasonable obligation to impose. <br />HB 720 would require that lost or stolen firearms be reported. While this provision might be of limited <br />value, since enforcement would depend upon a showing that the individual knew a firearm was missing, it is <br />perfectly reasonable that an obligation to report be mandated, and gun owners will be aware of the <br />expectations that are placed upon them. <br />I urge you to act favorably on HB 1543, HB 1486, and HB 720. <br />Respectfully Submitted,' <br />arry Kim <br />MAYOR <br />County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />