Brought to you by the Hawaii Firearms Coalition - www.hifico.org
Updated 10/8/2018

The 2019 legislative session is coming up fast and you should be ready, willing, and able to fight for your gun rights.  Opening day is on January 16, 2019.   Prior to January you should be talking to your legislative representatives.  Here is what you need to get educated on the legislative process and how you can do your part to protect gun rights.  These things are fairly simple and don't take up much time.  We need a large collective effort and have everyone do their part to protect the 2nd amendment.

****VOTE!****  Vote for candidates that support the 2nd amendment.  You can register to vote all the way up to the General Election on November 6th.  https://elections.hawaii.gov/frequently-asked-questions/voter-registration/

1.  Tour the State Capitol
Tours are free and you can find out where everything is located.  Ask your tour guide for help finding your House and Senate representative's office.  Also visit the Public Access Room in room #401 for help on the legislative process.  Tour information can be found at https://governor.hawaii.gov/hawaii-state-capitol-tours/.

2.  Talk to your district legislative representative and their staff.
Find out who your House and Senate representative is by using this search by street name (don't enter your street number or the words street, road, place, etc).  https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/findleg.aspx.  Call or email them to make an appointment to see them at the State Capitol.  If you don't have time during the workday, then try the weekends over lunch or coffee, at a special event, or at a neighborhood board meeting.  If you're not able to do those, then talk to them over the phone or write them a letter or email.  You don't have to be technical and don't talk to them about common knowledge, ie the 2nd amendment is an individual right.  Tell them about unique experiences and points of view.  Some suggestions are:
  a.  How did you get into firearms and why you do it.
  b.  Stories about your experiences.  A hunting trip, shooting competition, teaching your children how to shoot.
  c.  Are you or someone close to you affected by crime?  Afraid to be a victim?
  d.  Your frustrations with the restrictive firearm laws
  e.  Solutions.  How can laws be changed to benefit you while keeping the community safe.
  f.   Let them know if you're an instructor, gunsmith, firearms historian, experienced shooter, collector, etc.
  g.  Ask them if they have any questions and what are their concerns.
Here's more helpful tips:  http://lrbhawaii.org/par/pub/tipscomleg.pdf

3.  Talk to the legislative committee members.
They have the most influence whether a bill pass or fails.  You can find their information at http://lrbhawaii.org/par/legfyi.html.  The important ones you want to talk to are Senate Judiciary (JDC) and Public Safety (PSM) and the House Judiciary (JUD) and Public Safety (PBS).  Just like the above, make an appointment to see them and have a good conversation.

4.  Take someone to the range
Offer to take your family members, friends, and coworkers to the range.  Also your legislative representative and their staff.  Many people will be hesitant thinking it's a dangerous activity, so ease their fears that it's a safe sport.  After all the minimum age to shoot at Koko Head is 9 years old.  Show them how to handle a gun safely and responsibly.  Be sure they take notice of the diversity of shooters and types of shooting, and how safe and responsible they are.  Tell them how they can take a firearms class if they enjoy it.

5.  Attend a legislative workshop.
The workshops cover the basics of how government works, the passage of a bill through the legislature to become law, and what you can do to make your voice heard through testimony.  The Advanced course covers lobbying and the fine behind the scenes work that can help you plan and be more effective.  If you can't make the course, you can download slides and view the video presentation at http://lrbhawaii.org/par/.

Maui:

Oct 15 Monday	Makawao Public Library 1159 Makawao Ave	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Oct 16 Tuesday	Kihei Public Library 35 Waimahaihai St	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Oct 17 Wednesday	Akaku Community Media 333 Dairy Road, Suite 104	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Oct 18 Thursday	Wailuku Public Library 251 S. High St	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Kauai:

Oct 23 Tuesday	Hanapepe Public Library 4490 Kona Rd, Hanapepe	Beginner 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.  Advanced 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Oct 24 Wednesday	Princeville Public Library 4343 Emmalani Dr, Princeville	Beginner 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  Advanced 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Oct 24 Wednesday	Kapaa Public Library 4-1464 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Oct 25 Thursday	Lihue Neighborhood Center 3353 Eono St, Lihue	Beginner 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  Advanced 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Big Island:

Oct 29 Monday	West Hawaii Civic Center Bldg A 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kona	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Oct 30 Tuesday	Thelma Parker Memorial Library 67-1209 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Oct 31 Wednesday	Ocean View Community Center 92-8924 Leilani Circle, Ocean View	Beginner 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  Advanced 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Nov 1 Thursday	Pahoa Community Center Kauhale St, Pahoa	Beginner 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  Advanced 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Nov 1 Thursday	Aging and Disability Resource Ctr Training Room 1055 Kino'ole St, Hilo	Beginner 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Advanced 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Oahu:
Please email your RSVP for this session to info@hifico.org

Dec 15 Saturday

Aiea Public Library 99-374 Pohai Pl, Aiea

2a Meeting and lunch 11:30am to 1pm Beginner 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  Advanced 2:30pm to 3:30pm tentative

6.  Track and testify on legislative bills
The legislative session starts in mid January and ends  in May.  Track bills at www.hifico.org and be familiar with the pros and cons of each.  Committee hearings will be scheduled to review the bill where the public can provide their input through testimony.  Testimony can be written through email, handwritten or typed letter, or through the legislature's website at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov.   You can also appear at the hearings in person and provide your testimony orally before the committee which ensures your voice is heard and you made the effort to attend.  Testimony can be as quick as checking a checkbox or saying "I support/oppose" or longer if you wish to write a few paragraphs with your experiences, facts, and opinions.  You may have to do this several times for each bill and on short notice, so hang in there.

7.  Encourage others to participate
Talk to others about current legislation and your experiences.  Encourage and mentor them to participate.


Attachments:
Kauai legislative workshops 2018
Maui legislative workshops 2018

Please make recommendations on changes and additions for grassroots activism. Also post your experiences on doing these things.

Check the attachment to see which legislative representatives may change in the general election on November 6th

Bad news, looks like we'll have an even harder time next legislative session with Karl Rhoads and Lee in charge of the committees.  Expect to see more bills for gun control.  This is the reason we have to start preparing now and sign up for HIFICO!  Call your reps and talk to them so we can counter the gun control influence early.

Gun control advocates to lead key committees

"State Sen. Karl Rhoads is expected to take over as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and state Rep. Chris Lee is expected to become head of the House Judiciary Committee in a leadership shuffle at the Legislature that could shape the debate on gun control in Hawaii in the years ahead."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/10/11/hawaii-news/gun-control-advocates-to-lead-key-committees/?HSA=a3c2dcca1dde62231cede16c1dfef06eccee78f0

Oahu workshop schedule is posted.  The Gun Rights Workshop on Saturday Dec 15 is a similar class but focused on gun rights (https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=32778.0).  The classes below are good if you aren't able to make the Dec 15th class.