Legislators Vote to Ban Carrying Tasers

From HiFiCo, Feb 25, 2022

Today HB1732 ended its house hearing and six legislators decided that passing a bill to ban the carrying of tasers in many public places was a good idea.

Despite overwhelming opposition to the bill, including that of the Honolulu Police Department, the legislators voted to move the bill forward.

This new bill would remove the ability for government employees (30% of Hawaii's employed adults) to carry electric arms for self-defense. It will ban people from carrying tasers in parking lots attached to government buildings, schools, and airports. It will also ban people who ride the bus, plan to use rail, or receive government services from having the right to self-defense.

This bill will leave a large portion of Hawaii's population without a meaningful method of self-defense in their day-to-day lives.

The bill will now move to a floor vote before being sent to the Senate for more hearings.

The six legislators responsible for moving this bill forward are: Nakashima, Matayoshi, Ichiyama, D. Kobayashi, Lowen, and Takumi. We encourage you to contact them and let them know how you feel about the way they voted regarding your right to self protection.

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Background: Tasers were made legal in Hawaii on January 1st, and a new law has already been proposed to ban carrying them.

HB1732: Text, Status