My submitted letter to the committee:
Aloha,
I would like to register my opposition to this bill. Even though it has not come up for a formal hearing yet, it should even be heard. Should this bill pass it will instantly criminalize hundreds, perhaps even thousands of law abiding citizens in the state.
Those of us gun owners who enjoy shooting modern firearms every weekend with our friends and families would instantly become felons. We are the kinds of people that you run into crossing Punchbowl street, who pay their fair share of taxes, vote, and serve their community. We watch out for our kupuna - help them with their grocery shopping and errands and honk our horn to let the other guy know it's ok to merge into our lane...does this sound like the behavior of a felon? Does this sound like the kind of person who belongs in jail with thieves, robbers, and rapists? This is what will happen if this bill passes.
If the committee wants to do good for the community, there are other ways. Fight for funding for our police officers - why should the HPD have to rely on donations to get a bullet resistant vests for their K-9's? I'm positive we could find $10,000 somewhere in the budget to pay for those. I also urge the committee to work closely with the Attorney General to strengthen our existing laws wherever possible. Consider restoring funding to mental health service programs that have been cut or reduced. No family that struggles with mental illness should have to "go it alone".
I urge you not to forward this bill to the senate, but instead offer three bills that would, 1) increase funding to HPD for needed equipment - an Urgent Needs Request (UNR), 2) strengthen existing laws that are already in place, 3) restore funding to mental health programs across the state.
I hope that you will take some of what I said to heart and find it within yourselves to not forward this bill.
Mahalo for your time,
********* (Bota CS-1)