In advance of hearings scheduled Tuesday at the Hawaii State Capitol, the NRA has sent out an action alert.

Amy Hunter, a group media liaison, lists the bills and the NRA’s arguments against them.

House Bill 625 would expand prohibited possessors to include certain misdemeanor crimes.

The NRA says: “Under this bill, sending unwanted text messages and emails could qualify someone for misdemeanor stalking and possibly result in an individual being denied a constitutional right. … 

“Further, by including a new category of prohibited possessors for certain misdemeanor crimes some citizens who may have taken a plea deal years ago will also become prohibited overnight and not been apprised of this additional penalty when taking their deal or fighting their case.”

The Capitol.
The Capitol. Cory Lum/Civil Beat

House Bill 626 would establish a petty misdemeanor for drinking alcohol while possessing a firearm.

The NRA says: “HB 626 does not set a limit for the amount of alcohol an individual can legally consume while in possession of a firearm. Without this specification, any amount of alcohol consumption while in possession of a firearm could constitute a crime. Individuals who possess a firearm and have had a couple sips of wine or anything containing alcohol, like Nyquil, could be in violation of the law.”

House Bill 2629 would expand the existing registration requirement to implement a federal biometric registry of Hawaii gun owners.

The NRA says: “Positive hits in this system have not necessarily been adjudicated and could cause issues with an individual’s ability to exercise their constitutional rights. … “

Arguments in favor of each of these bills can be read by clicking on the bill links. But, generally, supporters say the legislation promotes public safety.

 

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