Interpretation is never something that can be completely avoided. It would be both unreasonable and nearly impossible to word a law so carefully so that no law had any gray are that an LEO would have to interpret. So when it comes to the word detachable they are going to have to draw the line somewhere. Judges may later rule if the officer interpreted it correctly. Ideally laws will be written to minimize areas open to interpretation but sooner or later cops, and even prosecutors, have to do some amount of interpreting.
Even you are applying an interpretation when you say if a tool is needed then it is removable but not detachable. (unless there is some law that specifically says that and I am just unaware of that law) [see below] You could of course argue one over the other but if not defined by law or precedence it will still be an interpretation. BTW I have heard many people say remove the magazine from the gun but never heard anyone say detach it from the gun. Not trying to debate you but just give an example of issues where different definitions would come into play, legal, commons, and technical.
When I said logic, what I was referring to was the set of standards they were giving to base their interpretation on. So not the logic of their interpretation but the logic of applying their interpretation. What I was explaining was what they explained to me in how they interpret the section.
I agree that there will always be interpretation. But the Burden of Proof is on HPD and other Hawaii police departments to prove that it does not meet the requirements. Because the magazine was
DESIGNED to be released from the receiver by only pushing a button, the adding of a "Bullet Button" or other method to increase the difficulty of removing the magazine to require a tool or breaking the action,
substantially changes the design and no longer fits the "detachable" definition. Now if the State wants to change the language then they need to do that. HPD cannot state that that's the way they want it (because they do not interpret the law as stated by Capt. Nilsen). By using this standard, it would be no different than a traffic cop issuing a ticket for failing to stop by stating you didn't stop for 5 seconds at a stop sign. The law states a full and complete stop. If the wheels aren't turning, you're stopped. I mean they can, but they're wrong. and are open to civil suit by making people do otherwise.
But again, there is no logic when interpreting the Law. Either it is or it isn't. And if they say it isn't, then they have to provide the statutory evidence that it isn't (meaning in writing), not that my boss said it's supposed to be that way.
Laws defining detachable magazine from around the country
Connecticut State Laws and Published Ordinances -
https://www.atf.gov/file/117176/download (4) “Detachable magazine” means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed without disassembling the firearm action;
Maryland State Laws and Published Ordinances -
https://www.atf.gov/file/117251/download (i) "Detachable magazine" means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from a firearm without requiring disassembly of the firearm action or without the use of a tool, including a bullet or cartridge.
Illinois Compiled Statutes -
https://www.atf.gov/file/117216/download(2) “detachable magazine” means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed from a firearm without disassembly of the firearm action.
California -
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/regs/chapter39.pdf(a) "detachable magazine" means any ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from the firearm with neither disassembly of the firearm action nor use of a tool being required. A bullet or ammunition cartridge is considered a tool. Ammunition feeding device includes any belted or linked ammunition, but does not include clips, en bloc clips, or stripper clips that load cartridges into the magazine.