STAND. COM. REP. NO.995

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 548

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 548 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that lawful possession of a rifle or shotgun for hunting or target shooting is limited to "lawful" hunting or "lawful" target shooting.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Maui County Farm Bureau, Kauai County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., Ulupalakua Ranch, Inc., Maui Cattlemen's Association, and a concerned citizen. Testimony in opposition to the measure was received from the Hawaii Rifle Association, Lessons in Firearms Education, and thirteen concerned citizens. The Board of Agriculture provided comments.

Your Committee finds that agricultural theft is a chronic problem, and an agricultural theft task force has been formed to determine ways to combat this serious problem. The intent of this bill is to close a loophole that exists in the criminal trespass laws that allows a poacher to claim to be hunting or target shooting. Your Committee finds, however, that there are viable competing views that merit further discussion during this legislative session.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 548 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair