STAND. COM. REP. NO.  451

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 248

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 248 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to repeal the ten round capacity limit on detachable ammunition magazines designed for or capable of use with a pistol.

     The bill would also prohibit magazines not authorized for use with the pistol by its manufacturer.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Attorney General and the chiefs of police of the City and County of Honolulu and the County of Hawaii.  Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Hawaii Historic Arms Association, the Hawaii Rifle Association, Lessons in Firearm Education, the Mid-Pacific Practical Pistol League, the Puuloa Rifle and Pistol Club, the Rhat Rhat Boyz Gun Club, one business, and numerous private citizens.  Two individuals provided comments.

     Your Committee finds that while the ban on large capacity ammunition magazines was intended to reduce the lethality of firearm violence, the ban has instead impacted law-abiding citizens, especially those engaged in shooting sports whose competitiveness is diminished by the need to reload.  Moreover, the federal government has allowed a similar limitation to expire.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 248 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair