HB893 amends the Hawaii Revised Statutes to prohibit the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, or importation of "assault weapons," defined as certain semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols with specific features such as detachable magazines or pistol grips. This legislation allows existing owners to register their “assault weapons” with county police by January 1, 2026, and imposes criminal penalties for unregistered firearms, while exempting law-enforcement and military use.
The Hawaii House of Representatives passed HB893 on March 4, 2025 by a vote of 39 to 9. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation violates the Second Amendment and undermines individual liberty. The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution explicitly protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. By banning a broad category of commonly used firearms, HB893 infringes on this fundamental right. State governments must reject laws that violate constitutional protections. Furthermore, the bill’s registration requirement creates a framework that would facilitate future firearm confiscation.
