Makes use of a "bang stick" in the commission of a crime a class C felony. Subjects "bang sticks" to limited firearms regulation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 134, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§134- Contact-fire powerheads, "bang sticks"; exemptions; penalty. (a) Contact-fire powerheads, commonly referred to as "bang sticks", which are permanently affixed to a shaft not less than twenty-six inches in length shall be subject to subsection (c) but shall be otherwise exempt from the requirements and prohibitions of this chapter.

(b) Contact-fire powerheads less than twenty-six inches in length shall be deemed a firearm and subject to the requirements and prohibitions of this chapter.

(c) Any person who knowingly possesses a contact-fire powerhead or intentionally uses or threatens to use a contact-fire powerhead while engaged in the commission of a crime shall be guilty of a class C felony."

SECTION 2. Section 134-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read:

""Contact-fire powerheads", or "bang sticks", means any device capable of firing a single round of ammunition where the barrel must be removed to chamber a cartridge and is fired by a contact mechanism."

2. By amending the definition of "firearm" to read:

""Firearm" means any weapon, for which the operating force is an explosive, including but not limited to pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, automatic firearms, noxious gas projectors, mortars, bombs, [and] cannon[.]; and contact-fire powerhead."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.