News Release from Todd Yukutake, Hawaii Firearms Coalition, June 30, 2022
Aloha. Great news in the Supreme Court win in Young v Hawaii along with many other cases. The future is looking bright for Hawaii though there will still be many fights ahead.
YOUNG V HAWAII & OTHER SCOTUS DECISIONS
Today the US Supreme Court issued decisions in other 2A cases after the historic NYSRPA v Bruen win last week. Young v Hawaii (for open carry) was sent back to Federal District Court in Honolulu with instructions it should be decided based on Constitutional Text analyzed through History & Tradition, a one part test at the highest legal standard. This will result in an eventual win allowing for carry in Hawaii though it will take some time for it to conclude in the court. Additionally, the court may decide to delay it’s ruling to allow time for police departments to prepare or that additional legislation is needed prior to implementation. Any delays shouldn’t be needed as the Hawaii Attorney General had, a couple years ago, stated in their appeals testimony that the legislation is already in place and urged the Chiefs to issue carry permits.
This morning the new Honolulu PD Chief Joe Logan on radio stated the department is not ready to issue permits. They need to receive guidance from the Attorney General’s office, enact some legislation, and train officers in an environment where the public can carry guns. Maui has the potential to be the first one to issue permits as they have a more 2A moderate Chief, but issues need to be addressed.
Other related cases remanded to lower courts by SCOTUS are:
Bianchi v Frosh – Maryland’s assault weapons ban. Hopefully this will stop future attempts at an AWB.
Duncan v Bonta – California’s magazine ban. A decision in this case will be reflected in Hawaii’s Abbott v Connors lawsuit in Federal District Court.
ANJRPC v Brunk - Like Duncan for New Jersey's magazine ban.
WV v EPA – Limits Federal agencies ability to make rules & regulations that exceede those given by Congress's. Should reign in ATF's power to regulate things like bump stocks and 80% receivers.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Congratulations on getting these 2 bills passed:
HB3298 Big Island shooting range planning group.
HB1872 Recognizing game mammals and birds as a important food source.
These bills passed through the legislature with your support. HB3298 was signed into law yesterday and HB1872 was not placed on the Intent to Veto list. The Big Island range project has been in the works for over 10 years by On Target Hawaii and has faced setbacks, but the work continues on thanks to this bill. Thanks to Hawaii County GMAC and hunters for introducing HB1872 to protect hunting traditions in Hawaii.
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This hunting bill is on the Governor’s Intent to Veto List:
SB3179 Bounty for Axis deer management offers cash incentives to hunters to control the overpopulation in Maui county. The Governor believes bounties are ineffective and will lead to fraud and trespass. Please contact the Governor's office with your comments https://governor.hawaii.gov/contact-us/.
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Anti-gun bills passed:
HB2075 Requiring in-person inspection/registration for firearms acquired from out of state, person to person, or assembled with engraved registration numbers. This bill was signed into law by Governor Ige on June 3rd and is effective immediately. It conflicts with the Federal District Court's ruling in Yukutake v Connors which struck down the requirement as unconstitutional. Honolulu Police Department has updated their website to reflect the changes. It is unknown if other counties are following. Firearms acquired through FFL's may still be registered remotely and are exempt from the in-person inspection/registration requirement
We are confident that we will prevail in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Yukutake v Connors.
FREEDOM ON THE 4TH CELEBRATION
We have more to celebrate this weekend at our July 4th celebration at Koko Head with the SCOTUS decision on Young v Hawaii. Everyone owes a debt of gratitude to our attorneys Alan Beck and Stephen Stamboulieh, along with our team of Hawaii attorneys fighting for your 2A rights. I didn’t realize how many lawsuits Alan has filed until I compiled this listing. Come by and shake his hand and say thank you for the thousands of hours he dedicated to the people of Hawaii. Lunch and presentations will begin at 11am.
4. HIFICO ZOOM WEBINAR Q/A
Watch our panel discussion go over the Young v Hawaii and other SCOTUS decisions and how they will affect Hawaii along with a q/a session.
Saturday July 2 7pm
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86179354364?pwd=c0hlMmh6SEx2ZkxLdWhodGw0cVNCZz09
Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/hificoorg
5. GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
The State GMAC held a public meeting on Tuesday to discuss the hogstop pig contraceptive and the bovine tuberculosis affecting Molokai and other hunting issues. A person from the bushwackers club filmed the meeting for all to watch. https://www.instagram.com/p/CfYDLCZFrbq/
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PDF: List of Hawaii Second Amendment Lawsuits
HNN: 9th Circuit to take up Hawaii firearms case again following Supreme Court decision
KITV: George Young wins his case in the U.S. Supreme Court that Hawaii has unconstitutional gun laws
KHON: Hawaii one step closer to carrying a gun in public
AP: Supreme Court says several gun cases deserve a new look
SA: High court topples Hawaii cutoff for carrying a gun in public
Big Q: Do you support Hawaii’s restrictive policies on carrying a gun in public?
CB: You May Soon See People Openly Carrying Guns In Hawaii