February 6, 2021 TO: Chair Rhoads and Members of the JDC
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AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC OFFICERS DIRECTORS MAILING ADDRESS John Bickel, President Melodie Aduja John Miller Bill South P.O. Box 23404 Alan Burdick, Vice President Juliet Begley Jenny Nomura Zahava Zaidoff Honolulu Dave Nagajji, Treasurer Stephanie Fitzpatrick Stephen O’Harrow Hawaii 96823 Doug Pyle, Secretary Jan Lubin Lyn Pyle __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ February 6, 2021 TO: Chair Rhoads and Members of the JDC Committee RE: SB 307 Relating to Firearms Support for hearing on Feb. 9 Americans for Democratic Action is an organization founded in the 1950s by leading supporters of the New Deal and led by Patsy Mink in the 1970s. We are devoted to the promotion of progressive public policies. We support SB 307 as it would Include any firearm or rifle with the capacity to fire ammunition of fifty caliber or higher in the list of prohibited weapons. Any measures to reduce the damage of a malicious shooter should be done as it could save lives. Thank you for your favorable consideration. Sincerely, John Bickel, President jjma SB-307 Submitted on: 2/6/2021 7:27:01 PM Testimony for JDC on 2/9/2021 9:15:00 AM Testifier Present at Submitted By Organization Position Hearing Testifying for HAWAII Chad Dias Oppose No RIFLE ASSOCIATION Comments: I oppose SB-307 Submitted on: 2/7/2021 3:08:12 PM Testimony for JDC on 2/9/2021 9:15:00 AM Testifier Present at Submitted By Organization Position Hearing Testifying for Hawaii Donna P. Van Osdol Federation of Oppose No Republican Women Comments: Dear Members of the Judiciary Committee: This bill would ban all shotguns capable of firing ammunition a round 0.5 Inches or larger which include ALL 12 gauge shotguns with the diameter of a 12 gauge slug being 0.79 Inches.. For the same reason all 12 gauge shotguns would be banned under this bill, most muskets and black powder firearms would be banned, including those used in the Revolutionary War! Most importantly, this bill would ban the possession of firearms used by a great number of hunters to hunt fowl, deer, and big game. For this reason alone, I strongly oppose this bill. The legislature needs to put its resources to helping failing businesses as a result of the Coronavirus rather than focusing on the taking of legal property from law abiding and responsible gun owners. SB-307 Submitted on: 2/7/2021 10:00:38 PM Testimony for JDC on 2/9/2021 9:15:00 AM Testifier Present at Submitted By Organization Position Hearing Testifying for Pacific Chase Cavitt Oppose No Arms Co. LLC Comments: Hi, I am writing today to express why my business adamantly opposes SB307 and to urge all of you to please not pass any such bill in Hawaii. As a business owner in the state of Hawaii I seek to abide by all laws and to ensure safe practices for the sake of our community and especially regarding the materials offered through my business. I do not plan to have to relocate my business but if this bill were to become law, I would be forced to close a portion of my services or move my business to another state. I feel strongly that this type of bill is a threat to all firearm ownership in Hawaii, as it is a snowball effect from here to appease the feelings of those who do not appreciate or fear firearms. I do not wish for my business or our interests to cause a disturbance amongst our community or to be putting anyone in unnecessary risk and I go above and beyond to ensure that people are educated of safety practices and have access to researching laws. I know that the customers purchasing, using and working with 50 caliber firearms are some of the most experienced and respectable people we have amongst our community. It is not an inexpensive hobby or something that just anyone can get involved with overnight and I would be surprised to hear of any instances of Hawaii firearm owners of 50caliber firearms that have used them in the act of committing a crime. Another point to consider is the potential unintended effect of this bill regarding the use of shotguns and slug ammunition that is 50 caliber. This would take the use of responsible hunting loads used by hunters with shotguns such as slugs and make them illegal to use. Currently slugs are the only shotgun ammunition allowed to be used at the Maui Ukumehame firing range when using the club target stands, so it is the most commonly used shotgun ammunition at the range each weekend. What good does removing 50 caliber firearms do for Hawaii, our citizens or the businesses that sell product related to this potential ban? What would the bill have prevented if it were to have been in place in the past? This bill is beyond an overreach of government power and is quite disturbing that it is even considered by those who have sworn an oath to uphold the constitution. The 2nd amendment is clear and indisputable and it is not your duty to change it. This bill should be thrown out and not considered simply for its blatant ignoring of the constitution. Pacific Arms Co. LLC is adamantly opposed to SB307 and we humbly ask you to please consider our company, our Hawaii based clients and the firearm owners of Hawaii when considering this unconstitutional bill. Thank you, Chase Cavitt (808)298-3508 Pacific Arms Co. LLC [email protected] SB-307 Submitted on: 2/7/2021 11:39:09 PM Testimony for JDC on 2/9/2021 9:15:00 AM Testifier Present at Submitted By Organization Position Hearing Testifying for Young Dale Hayama Oppose No Guns Comments: Dear Honorable Senators of the Judiciary Committee, I am one of the proprietors of a local Gun Shop, Young Guns and I would like go on record as being Strongly Opposed to Senate Bill SB307. Being in the firearms business for almost 25 years, I can tell you that we have sold many of the firearms that is being proposed to be banned under this Bill. There are many law abiding citizens that have them and use them for various reasons. Banning them comes from a totally misguided, misunderstood and uninformed reasoning. It is just the agenda of someone that would like to take away all of our 2nd Amendment Rights, one piece at a time. Many of us hunt with large caliber rifles and handguns, as often times it would be the most humane way to put the game down quickly, compassionately and to not wound an animal with a cartridge that wasn't adequate enough. I have an older friend (one of many) that hunts feral pigs here in Hawaii with a .500S&W revolver. The 350gr. bullet that he uses, puts his game down quickly, humanely, has enough energy to do the job, and it gives him the distance that he needs. He is 77 years young and is still an active hunter. If this bill passes, he will become an instant felon! He and many other law- abiding firearms owners, who owns similar large caliber firearms, would instantly classified the same as terrorists with bombs and machine guns. The bill is ludicrous! SB307 would group large caliber firearms (.50 and up) together with machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, hand grenades and bombs, just to name a few. Under this bill, revolvers, rifles, (whether they be single shot or a 100 year old fine double rifle used for hunting), that many of us senior citizens have and use, would be no different than bombs, explosives, machine guns, silencers, sawed-off shotguns, etc., etc.. The Bill is totally flawed. It will turn many law-abiding citizens in felons with the slash of the pen. It would be like a bill that bans all vehicles with more than 6 or 8 cylinders, just because the author doesn't like cars with bigger engines. Criminals do not use large caliber firearms to commit crimes. The larger caliber firearms are usually much higher priced and purchased by more affluent and discerning customers that tend to be on the much older side. The firearms that are being proposed to banned under this Bill is totally misunderstood and banning them would just turn many law abiding citizens in felons overnight. Would the State compensate the owners for their losses? Some of these firearms are very collectible and are worth tens of thousands of dollars. I see many law suits in the future if it passes. Please kill this bill. Sincerely, Dale Hayama President Young Guns The Honorable Karl Rhoads, Chair The Honorable Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice Chair Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs State Capitol, Video Conference Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 HEARING: Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 9:15AM RE: SB307 Firearms; Gun Safety; High Caliber Guns Aloha Members of the Senate Committee, The Hawaii Firearms Coalition OPPOSES SB307.. The Hawaii Firearms Coalition opposes this bill that seeks to ban the ownership of firearms capable of firing a cartridge equal to or greater than 0.5inches in diameter (50 caliber). HIFICO opposes this bill: 1. This bill would ban ALL commonly owned shotguns. Caliber is a unit of measure for the diameter of a given projectile, not the name of a specific type or set of cartridges. Below is a diagram of the various bore sizes 2. This bill would also ban all of the muskets used in the Revolutionary War. This would also restrict blackpowder firearms that are commonly used for hunting.