Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 545 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to reduce the problem of agricultural theft involving firearms by clarifying that the possession of a rifle or shotgun and ammunition is limited to lawful hunting or lawful target shooting.

The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation (Farm Bureau) and the Department of Agriculture testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Rifle Association opposed this bill.

According to the Farm Bureau, ranchers are constantly faced with weapons-carrying trespassers who steal or kill livestock. Unless these trespassers are caught in the act, they are only charged with criminal trespass which is a petty misdemeanor that serves as no deterrent at all.

This bill seeks to discourage violations such as poaching by making the possession of firearms while engaged in unlawful hunting or target shooting susceptible to stiffer penalties.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 545 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.