State of Hawaii Archives: on Gun Control


Jill Tokuda: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary:  These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; State Sen. Jill Tokuda voted YES; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

Andria Tupola: Supporter of 2nd Amendment, it's a right not a privilege

I support 2nd amendment rights and have regularly helped the NRA oppose some of the legislation regarding gun control. We didn't have any last year. But the year before there were many bills introduced and I voted No on all the bills that took away gun rights. I agree that the right to bear arms is in fact a right, and not a privilege that can be "curbed" by legislation. I am firm in my stance to protect the second amendment.
Source: 2ahawaii.com blog on 2018 Hawaii gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2018

Bob McDermott: Oppose background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Rep. Bob McDermott voted NO; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

Brian Schatz: Ban assault weapons, for universal background checks

Americans are demanding we take action on gun violence, and I've pushed for reforms since joining the Senate. I support banning military-style assault weapons and establishing universal background checks. I fought to demilitarize police forces by reforming the program that allows for the transfer of military equipment from the Department of Defense to state and local police, and introduced legislation to prevent youth suicide, which includes measures to keep guns out of the hands of our kids.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Senate race Jun 22, 2022

Cam Cavasso: Never diminish a citizen's right to protect themselves

Former Rep. Cam Cavasso unveils campaign platform: "I will only vote for Supreme Court nominees who are strict constructionists. James Madison said that our greatest source of security as a republic was in having an "inviolable respect for the Constitution and the rule of law". As a United States Senator, I will fight against the confirmation of jurists who seek to legislate from the bench or who seek to use their political ideology to infringe upon the basic Constitutional rights of Americans. That includes my belief that the 2nd Amendment cannot be misinterpreted in any way to diminish a citizen's right to protect themselves."
Source: Hawaii Free Press on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Jul 11, 2010

Cam Cavasso: Opposes more gun restrictions

Question topic: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.

Cavasso: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Cynthia Thielen: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Rep. Cynthia Thielen voted YES; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

David Ige: Supports background checks; opposes concealed carry

Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

A: Yes.

Q: Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?

A: Yes.

Q: Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?

A: No.

Q: Should a license be required for gun possession?

A: Yes.

Source: Hawaii Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

David Ige: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Sen. David Ige voted YES; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

Duke Aiona: Background checks & no concealed carry, within 2nd amendment

Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring a license for gun possession?

A: Yes.

Aiona adds, "As a former State judge, I understand the 2nd Amendment, which allows for the ownership of firearms."

Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Eddie Pirkowski: Opposes more gun restrictions

Question topic: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.

Pirkowski: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Jul 2, 2014

John Carroll: Hawaii has reasonable gun control laws; no federal bans

Q: What should the U.S. Congress do to reduce gun violence?

JC: At this point, Hawaii has reasonable gun control laws. Gun control bans should never be enforced on a national level, but should be handled on a state level.

Source: Maui Time on 2016 Hawaii Senate race Jun 27, 2016

John Carroll: Gun control bans should be handled on state level

Q: What (if anything) should the U.S. Congress do to reduce gun violence?

JC: At this point, Hawaii has reasonable gun control laws. Gun control bans should never be enforced on a national level, but should be handled on a state level.

Source: Maui Time on 2018 Hawaii Gubernatorial race Jun 27, 2016

Josh Green: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; State Sen. Josh Green voted YES; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

Mark Takai: No military-grade weapons in homes; ban them

"I have a military background--that is why I don't understand why individuals need military grade weapons in their homes."

I believe citizens should be allowed to own guns for sport--guns without military applications like automatic firing capability. No one needs an Uzi to puncture paper targets or to bring down a pig during hunting season. These weapons are for killing and should be banned. military grade weapons in their homes.

I also believe that guns should be stored with mandatory trigger locks, that there should be mandatory training requirements, waiting periods for purchasing guns and universal background checks so that people with mental health or violent criminal records cannot legally buy a gun.

Source: 2014 Hawaii House campaign website, MarkTakai.com Nov 4, 2014

Neil Abercrombie: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Jul 9, 2013

Ron Curtis: For mandatory background checks but wants minimum age 18

I support gun-control legislation that is not overly intrusive or too broad in scope. I support mandatory background checks for all means of gun purchases. We entrust our 18-year-olds with guns to defend our freedoms in our military, but many states ban them from owning a gun until they are 21. I don't like that hypocrisy. The minimum requirement to serve in the military is being 18 years old and having a high school diploma or GED. Make that the same for gun ownership.
Source: The Civil Beat on 2018 Hawaii Senate race Jul 1, 2018

Tulsi Gabbard: Advocate for sensible gun control

Tulsi has a consistent record of advocating for sensible gun control. She has long called for reinstating a federal ban on military-style assault weapons and high capacity clips, requiring comprehensive pre-purchase background checks, closing the gun-show loophole, and making sure that terrorists are not allowed to buy guns. Tulsi is focused on building bipartisan solutions that can actually be passed into law, rather than using the issue as a partisan political football.
Source: VoteTulsi.com on Hawaii legislative voting records Nov 8, 2016

  • The above quotations are from State of Hawaii Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Gun Control:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023