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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-04 Letter to Clarence Nishihara and Glenn Wakai. SB 2002, 2437, 2518, 2519, 2635, 2943, 3053, 3054 • -0.1g:17,9-t7 llllll • Roy Takemoto . 41.* tp Managing Director Harry Kim N' • Mayor -' �- 41r ".F NA."•°•ri►.- • ,Barbara J.Kossow F O • ,Deputy Managing Director • County of Hawaii • Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 February 4, 2020 Senator Clarence K. Nishihara, Chair Senator Glenn Wakai, Vice Chair Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, & Military Affairs Hawaii State Legislature Dear Chair Nishihara, Vice-Chair Wakai, and Committee members: RE: SB 2002 Relating to Firearms SB 2437 Relating to Electric Guns SB 2518 Relating to Firearms SB 2519 Relating to Firearms SB 2635 Relating to Firearms Ammunition SB 2943 Relating to Firearms SB 3053 Relating to Firearms SB 3054 Relating to Firearm Registration The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides for freedom of religion, speech, and press; and the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government. Yet, as fundamental and sacrosanct as those values are to America, few if any would argue that those freedoms are not subject to reasonable restrictions (take the cliché of"yelling `Fire' in a crowded theater"). Similarly, the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. This right, too, must be subject to reasonable restrictions, or else we would each be able to have our own machine gun mounted on our mantelpiece or strapped over our shoulders. So the question comes down to what is reasonable. That should be determined by a free people acting through their elected representatives, in this case our State Legislature. And given the times in which we live, and the carnage that we have witnessed both in our own state and across the country, I thank you for taking on the divisive but crucial task of deciding what reasonable restrictions might be. You have seven bills on today's agenda that would impinge on the right to keep and bear arms: SB 2002 would prohibit possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated. One would hope that this is not a difficult issue on which to find common ground, though I expect some will disagree. SB 2518 implies that its adoption would make Hawaii's license-to-carry-firearms law stronger against attack in court. If this Committee finds that to be true, I support it. I have not been able to independently verify that assertion, and hope you will hear from the administration and other law enforcement. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. SB 2002 Relating to Firearms SB 2437 Relating to Electric Guns SB 2518 Relating to Firearms SB 2519 Relating to Firearms SB 2635 Relating to Firearms Ammunition SB 2943 Relating to Firearms SB 3053 Relating to Firearms SB 3054 Relating to Firearm Registration February 4, 2020 Page 2 SB 2519 would prohibit large capacity magazines for all firearms. Such magazines are already restricted for pistols, and SB2519 might be the most important bill before you today, given the data on mass shootings that is set forth in the preamble of this bill. SB 2635 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 also in tracing ammunition that is used in a crime. SB 2943 would prohibit the assembly of a gun that would not have a serial number(a "ghost gun") and would mandate a serial number for firearms brought into Hawaii that do not already have one. SB 3053 would prohibit 50-caliber guns. I have seen these guns on YouTube and they are awesome- looking weapons. I cannot imagine a legitimate civilian use for them. SB 3054 would require notification when a firearm is moved out-of-state. This would be of some value, though perhaps limited. On the other hand, the burden on a gun owner seems minimal. Can any of the restrictions contained in the seven bills be considered unreasonable? I have no doubt that some will say yes, but except for my questions about SB 2518, I would argue that all of these bills would make Hawaii a safer place without unduly restricting the right to keep and bear arms. There also is an eighth bill on the agenda, SB 2437, relating to electric guns. I confess total ignorance on that subject, and therefore do not offer testimony on it. Again, thank you for taking on these issues. Respectfully Submitted, Harry Kim MAYOR County of l-Iawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.