STAND. COM. REP. NO. 831

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 607
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No.
607, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to repeal, under certain
conditions, the prohibition for non-resident aliens on bringing
firearms into the State.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii has a relatively low rate
of violence involving firearms due to its strict controls on the
possession and use of firearms within the State.  However, your
Committee also finds that allowing non-resident aliens to bring
firearms into the State would have the desirable effect of
expanding the State's visitor industry by developing niche
markets such as recreational hunting.

     Testimony in support of this measure, with certain
amendments, was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural
Resources, the Honolulu Police Department, and three
organizations supporting shooting sports.  No testimony was
received in opposition to this measure.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this
measure to reflect the changes proposed by the Department of Land
and Natural Resources and the Honolulu Police Department, by:

     (1)  Removing the requirement of proof of ownership; 

 
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     (2)  Accommodating visitors invited to shoot on private
          land; and

     (3)  Limiting the length of time and number of weapons
          allowed to be registered by non-resident aliens.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No.
607, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass second
reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 607, S.D. 1, and
be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary,



                                   ______________________________
                                   AVERY B. CHUMBLEY, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   MATTHEW M. MATSUNAGA, Co-Chair

 
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