THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2703
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to firearms.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that although the State has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation, individuals prohibited from possessing a firearm who are able to steal, find, or otherwise illegally acquire a firearm can purchase unlimited ammunition without undergoing any form of background check. For example, on January 19, 2020, a gunman killed two Honolulu police officers in the Diamond Head area of Honolulu with a firearm not registered in his name. Requiring sellers of ammunition to verify that purchasers own a legally registered firearm will make it more difficult for individuals prohibited from possessing a firearm to acquire ammunition while still allowing lawful gun owners to purchase ammunition for their registered firearms.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the sale of ammunition to a buyer unless:

(1) The buyer has a legally registered firearm presented together with a government-issued identification; and

(2) The caliber of ammunition is compatible with the buyer's registered firearm.

SECTION 2. Chapter 134, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§134-   Sale of ammunition; requirements; exemptions; penalty. (a) No person shall sell ammunition for any firearm to any person unless:

(1) The person presents a valid firearm registration pursuant to section 134-3, together with a government-issued identification; and

(2) The caliber of ammunition is compatible with the person's firearm that is registered pursuant to section 134-3.

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to:

(1) Law enforcement officers as defined in section 701‑118;

(2) Wardens, superintendents, and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails, and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of an offense; and

(3) Members of the armed services or reserve forces of the United States or the Hawaii National Guard, while performing their official duties or while traveling to or from their places of duty.

(c) Any person violating subsection (a) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Firearms; Ammunition; Sale; Requirements; Prohibition; Penalty

Description:

Requires a person selling ammunition to require the buyer to provide proof of a valid firearm registration together with a government-issued identification. Prohibits sellers of ammunition from selling ammunition to a buyer of a caliber not compatible with a buyer's registered firearm.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.