In a stunning change of events, Hawaii state Senators send Senate Bill 401 back to committee with no time to be revived this legislative session.
Last week, SB 401 was debated on the Senate floor in an effort to send the sweeping so-called “Assault Weapons” Ban to Governor Josh Green’s (D) desk.
Reportedly, State Senators in rural districts and gun rights supporters swarmed the capital to show their grassroots power, arguing this bill would disarm people who need such firearms to take on feral pigs or other invasive species, as well as harming hunters who own standard-capacity magazines.
Most of the opposition to SB 401 came in the form of a floor amendment from Sen. Lynn DeCoite.
The amendment would have allowed licensed firearms dealers statewide to continue to service, repair, and transfer weapons for lineal descendants, who, under the proposed legislation, would be able to pass along so-called “assault weapons” before a January 1st deadline.
Democrat State Senator Joy Buenaventura had been a long-time supporter of gun control, but changed her mind when speaking against SB 401:
“We are actually making [gun owners] criminals by possession of magazines that we had legalized before they bought it. Now, by their mere possession, because we decide to pass this bill, we decide to label them as criminals and that to me, it’s unethical and should not be tolerated by this body.”
After much debate, the bill was recommitted to committee, effectively deeming the bill dead with no time to bring the bill back to the floor for a vote.
The Hawaii State Legislature adjourned for the 2025 session on Friday, May 2nd.
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