Oppose Bill 220 - Gun Carry Ban in “Sensitive Places”
from Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Oct 1, 2022
Hawaii County have introduced Bill 220 which bans the carry of guns in many places. This would be an unprecedented law where something is banned unless allowed. The intent of this law is clear – to ban and discourage the carry of guns in the community while attempting to slither away from expected legal challenges. This law is a “feel good” law that does nothing to stop crime while infringing on your 2nd Amendment rights.
This bill will ban carry at:
- Stores, public events, schools and training events, churches and religious services, any restaurant that serves alcohol, etc
- Schools, playgrounds, educational training, places where children gather
- Any private property open to the public unless a “guns allowed” sign is posted.
- Public transit – the bus
- Government buildings and accompanying parking lots.
- Places where people are assembled for an event that requires a permit.
- And more!
The County of Hawaii's proposed ordinance compels businesses to speak out about a highly contentious issue in order for their patrons, friends and family to exercise their constitutional right. Gun rights is a very divisive issue. Any store owner that puts up a sign endorsing handgun carry is likely to lose business. A small business owner should not have to decide whether he should face losing money so that his customers, friends and family can exercise what the Supreme Court has said is a constitutional right.
A business also faces liability from putting up a sign. In the event of a unlawful discharge or even a lawful shooting, someone could say that the store owner encouraged the shooter to carry and thus is liable alongside the firearm user. A small business should not have to choose between financial liability and letting his customers, friends and family exercise a constitutional right.
Finally the law is unconstitutional both on Second Amendment grounds and because the law violates the free speech rights of store owners by compelling speech in order to exercise a constitutional right. In order for a business owner to allow his customers to exercise a constitutional right a business owner is required to speak out on a political issue. That is unconstitutional. Business owners have a right to not speak on a controversial subject.
SUBMIT TESTIMONY VIA EMAIL, ZOOM, OR LIVE
Oppose Bill 220 Gun Carry Ban in Sensitive Locations
Hawaii County Council – Committee on Public Safety
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii
October 4th, 2022 at 9am
Email: counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov (due by 12pm October 3rd)
Remote Zoom: Request a Zoom access by emailing councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov (due by 12pm October 3rd)
In-person: Arrive on hearing day in Hilo or remote video conference in Pahoa & Waimea Centers
Testimony information: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=1044055
Bill 220: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/0/doc/1043976/Page1.aspx
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Want to know more about "Sensitive Locations" bans? Watch the webinar this weekend.
HIFICO Webinar on CCW Ban in Sensitive Locations
7:30pm on Sunday Oct 2.
Learn more about "Sensitive Locations" bans and how to testify.
FB Live: www.fb.com/hificoorg
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88039102798
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