Here is a response from HRA in an email to one of our club members
This NRA/ILA Alert contains some inaccuracies. SB69HD1 is not a "gun registration" bill. If it is killed, persons bringing in firearms from out of state will still be required to physically present themselves and their firearms at the county police HQ's to register them per existing statute.
The line at HPD is now down to 1.5 hours. By the time this bill would take effect, June, 2013, it will probably be back to the usual 45min, not "one to two days."
There is no mention in this alert that the 3-day window for out of state registration is extended to 5 days by this bill, allowing for three day weekends.
HRA is working with Honolulu City Council and Mayor Caldwell to see if appropriations from this bill can be used to open registration and permits in Kapolei, and establish Sat. hours.
This bill would require the PD's to do NICS checks on persons bringing firearms into the state, something they are already doing because FBI tells them they must. They do not need statutory authorization to do so. Any LE entity and FFL's can request a NICS background check and act on the information. It would authorize the PD's to collect the once-in-a-lifetime floating FBI fee, currently $16.50, as permitted under existing statute for in-state acquisitions.
NRA used to support instant checks. HRA still does. Criminals do apply for permits and arrests are made. I feel NRA has over-reacted to this bill. The Senate took all the "onerous" language and requirements out of it before it crossed to the House. HRA supports the current draft. I'll be testifying for HRA in support today. This is the first Hawaii Legislative session for our new NRA/ILA Rep in Sacramento. He's a fine young attorney who took over the job 3 mos. ago. He's caught up in the current NRA effort to keep Hawaii type statutes from passing nationally. Unfortunately this disagreement is confusing our supporters, encouraging our opponents, and interfering with our long term HRA goals of improving the Hawaii statutes. Fence-sitting legislators are raising eyebrows.
If the bill passes JUD today, it will have a House WAM hearing and then Conference Committees. I would consider it personal favor if you would consider HRA's position on the bill. We are the boots on the ground here.
Very respectfully,
Max