THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

882

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to firearms.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 134-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:

     "(g)  Effective July 1, 1995, no person shall be issued a permit under this section for the acquisition of a pistol or revolver unless the person, at any time prior to the issuance of the permit, has completed:

     (1)  An approved hunter education course as authorized under section 183D-28;

     (2)  A firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency of the State or of any county;

     (3)  A firearms safety or training course offered to law enforcement officers, security guards, investigators, deputy sheriffs, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement by a state or county law enforcement agency; or

     (4)  A firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state certified or National Rifle Association certified firearms instructor or a certified military firearms instructor that provides, at a minimum, a total of at least two hours of firing training at a firing range and a total of at least [four] fourteen hours of classroom instruction, which may include a video, that focuses on:

          (A)  The safe use, handling, and storage of firearms and firearm safety in the home; [and]

          (B)  Education on the firearm laws of the State[.];

          (C)  Situational awareness;

          (D)  Best practices when encountering law enforcement;

          (E)  Conflict de-escalation;

          (F)  Use of deadly force;

          (G)  Suicide prevention; and

          (H)  The basic principles of marksmanship.

          An affidavit signed by the certified firearms instructor who conducted or taught the course, providing the name, address, and phone number of the instructor and attesting to the successful completion of the course by the applicant shall constitute evidence of certified successful completion under this paragraph."

     SECTION 2.  Section 134-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The chief of police of each county shall adopt procedures to require that any person granted a license to carry a concealed weapon on the person shall:

     (1)  Be qualified to use the firearm in a safe manner;

     (2)  Appear to be a suitable person to be so licensed;

     (3)  Be required to demonstrate proficiency by scoring a minimum of eighty per cent correct answers on a written test for the curriculum required in section 134-2(g)(4);

     (4)  Be required to demonstrate that the applicant is of good moral character and sufficient mental competence by:

          (A)  Participating in an in person interview with the chief of police of the appropriate county, or the chief's designated representative;

          (B)  Providing the names and contact information for the applicant's current spouse, domestic partner, and any other adults residing in the applicant's home, including any adult children of the applicant;

          (C)  Indicating whether there are minors residing, full time or part time, in the applicant's home;

          (D)  Providing names and contact information of not less than four character references who can attest to the applicant's good moral character and that the applicant has not engaged in any acts or made any statements that suggest they are likely to engage in conduct that would result in harm to themselves or others;

          (E)  Providing a list of former and current social media accounts of the applicant from the past three years to confirm the information regarding the applicant's character and conduct; and

          (F)  Providing such information required by the chief of police of the appropriate county that is reasonably necessary and related to the review of the licensing application;

    [(3)] (5)  Not be prohibited under section 134-7 from the ownership or possession of a firearm; and

    [(4)] (6)  Not have been adjudged insane or not appear to be mentally deranged."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Firearms; Permit; Background Check; Concealed Carry; Police

 

Description:

Increases the minimum classroom instruction time for state certified or National Rifle Association certified firearm safety courses from four to fourteen hours.  Requires firearm safety courses to include additional subject matter.  Requires applicants for a license to carry a concealed firearm to pass a written test, participate in an in person interview, and provide information to demonstrate that the applicant is of good moral character and sufficient mental competence.

 

 

 

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