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

from HiFiCo, January 24, 2022

While fighting our lawsuit to overturn Hawaii's ban, one of the major points of contest that needed clarification was if we would be able to carry tasers and stun guns for self-defense, defense of others, and defense of property. The Attorney General's office said that we would be able to. In fact, they even wrote so in their reply brief to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Nothing in Act 183” (now HRS134-8x) “limits the carrying or possession of electric guns in specific locations. The primary limitation on the use of electric guns is that they must be used for self-defense, defense of another person, or protection of property, which can occur anywhere."

The AG's office says that the need for a defensive tool to stop crime could "occur anywhere," but here we are, before you can even purchase a taser or stun gun, and legislators are already moving to make it so that you can’t carry them in your day-to-day lives.

SB2738 and HB1732, if passed, would make it nearly impossible for any regular person to be able to carry a taser or stun gun during their daily activities.

The proposed bill reads: "It shall be unlawful for any person to carry or possesses an electric gun in or near an airport, passenger transportation terminal, commuter operations area, state or county government building, or any meeting place required to be open to the public."

This would mean that a person who catches the bus to work, takes their kids to school, works in or walks past any public building, or wants to attend a meeting open to the public would have to leave their right to self defense at home. Even someone out walking their dog at night that has to pass one of the listed locations would be prohibited from carrying a taser or stun gun.

Our legislators want to treat tasers and stun guns as deadly and dangerous weapons just as they did with their previous ban, but with the courts knocking down that previous scheme, they are now looking for a roundabout way to deny the people of Hawaii the right to self-defense.

These arms are not deadly or dangerous. They are not used in random attacks. No mass causally event has ever been caused by a taser or stun gun. The attempt to change the law to ban their possession in or near a random list of places is asinine and fulfills no need.

Criminal possession and use of a taser or stun gun is already illegal. If a person is willing to ignore the law, then making tasers and stun guns doubly illegal is not going to stop them. The only people that will follow this law are would-be victims because they complied and left their means of self-defense at home.

We need you, the law-abiding people of Hawaii, to be ready to fight these bills. This means calling legislators, emailing, submitting testimony, and being heard.

Follow our Facebook page, visit our website and join our email list to stay updated on WHEN AND HOW you can get involved.

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You can call and complain to your legislators at the numbers below. Ask them why you shouldn't be able to defend yourself.

For HB1732 call Representative Gregg Takayama: 808-586-6340

For SB2738 call

Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran: 808-586-7344

Senator Chris Lee: 808-587-8388

Senator Karl Rhoads: 808-586-6130

DONT FORGET TO LEAVE A MESSAGE.

Our website: www.hifico.org

PDF: AG reply brief

HB1732: Text, Status

SB2738: Text, Status  

HiFiCo: Senator Karl Rhoads doesn't think there is a need to carry tasers for self defense and if Senate Bill 2738 passes, he will effectively get his way.

VIDEO: As we reported earlier this week, Hawaii legislators are already trying to ban the carry of tasers in public.