Hawaii: Anti-Gun Bills Pre-Filed as Legislative Session Convenes

News release from NRA-ILA, Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Today, January 15th, the Hawaii Legislature began the 2025 legislative session with several anti-gun bills already pre-filed. As in 2024, gun control advocates will continue to push their agenda in Honolulu. Gun owners and sportsmen throughout the state must stay actively involved to defend freedom.

Bills that have been pre-filed or are pending introduction:

House Bills 125, 136 and 138 impose firearm storage mandates, such as requiring firearms to be stored in a locked box, safe or with a trigger locking device. These misguided bills ignore the U.S. Supreme Court decision in D.C v. Heller which argued that storage requirements that prevent gun owners from easily accessing their firearms are unconstitutional.

House Bill 150 prohibits an individual from lending a firearm to another individual, with very limited exceptions. If passed, HB 150 would restrict the loaning of a firearm to another unless the individual already has a firearm permit or possesses a registered firearm, and in the case of rifles or shotguns, the duration of the loan is less than 12 hours.

Senate Bill 174 imposes egregious restrictions on the purchase and possession of ammunition. Under SB 174, individuals would be required to show their firearm registration when purchasing ammunition and would only be allowed to purchase ammunition for their permitted firearms. Possession of ammunition of a caliber that is different from your registered firearm would be a criminal offense. SB 174 would also require a license to sell or transfer ammunition.

Senate Bill 128 removes an individual’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms for the conviction OR mere prosecution of trespassing on agricultural land. Due process limits restrictions on constitutional rights to only serious convictions—SB 128 removes a constitutional right for a petty misdemeanor offense and doesn’t even require a conviction.

Senate Bill 308 expands Hawaii’s existing ban on detachable magazines capable of accepting more than 10 rounds to all firearms, not just for pistols. A violation of the magazine ban, under current law, is punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines if the magazine is found inserted into a firearm.

Additional anti-gun bills are expected to be filed now that the session is underway. Your NRA will continue to fight to promote and protect your right to keep and bear arms and hunting heritage. Our members remain the most powerful political force in American history, and together, we will secure the Second Amendment for present and future generations.

Please continue to check www.NRAILA.org and your email inbox for NRA-ILA alerts on the latest action items. NRA-ILA will keep you updated on Second Amendment and hunting-related legislation.