Dear Senator Espero & Representative Cabanilla,


I am writing to urge you to vote against S.B. No 219. This bill punishes the law abiding citizens of Hawaii. They have done nothing against society, yet this bill would require them to surrender personal property because of a perception. The citizens of Hawaii that wish to own firearms already go through one of the most onerous processes in the country. I urge you not to make a decision based on feelings and guesses, but on fact. As a member of the Hawaii State government you have access to data that would take the average citizen months to compile. How many of the firearms listed in this bill were used in the commission of a crime? How many of those guns were legally owned?  This bill will not reduce the occurrences of gun related crimes in this state. It will not make anyone safer. It will only further burden the law abiding citizens of the State of Hawaii. That is not in keeping with the Second Amendment of the United States nor the Section 17 of the Hawaii State Constitution.

I would like to suggest that a bill be created to institute harsher punishment for those who would use a firearm in the commission of a crime; a law similar to Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. The law's name comes from three main mandatory sentences: 1) producing a firearm during the commission of certain felonies mandates at least a 10-year prison sentence; 2) firing one mandates at least a 20-year prison sentence; and 3) shooting someone mandates a minimum sentence of 25 years regardless of whether a victim is killed or simply injured. The maximum penalty is a life sentence. Laws that impose stiffer penalties will keep those inclined to commit crime out of society and act as a deterrent to those who might commit a crime.

It’s time that we stop punishing our law abiding citizens for the crimes that are committed by criminals. I strongly urge you to not vote for this bill or any other bill that would further erode the rights of the people of Hawaii.


Sincerely


Thomas D. Hopkins

Senator Espero replied to my letter. Senator Espero is a fellow gun owner and is on our side.

That's good to know

Done, both are democrats, but you got to let even those types know that Hawaii does not march in lock step.

Hi on float -- thanks for sharing the letter. May I borrow it to send a letter to my rep?

I have a question though.... God forbid that any of us have to use a firearm for self defense, does the law you suggest punish the would-be-victim of a crime?

Hi on float -- thanks for sharing the letter. May I borrow it to send a letter to my rep?

I have a question though.... God forbid that any of us have to use a firearm for self defense, does the law you suggest punish the would-be-victim of a crime?

No, because defending yourself is not a felony, or a crime at all, as long as the shoot is justified.

Dear Senator Espero & Representative Cabanilla,


I am writing to urge you to vote against S.B. No 219. This bill punishes the law abiding citizens of Hawaii. They have done nothing against society, yet this bill would require them to surrender personal property because of a perception. The citizens of Hawaii that wish to own firearms already go through one of the most onerous processes in the country. I urge you not to make a decision based on feelings and guesses, but on fact. As a member of the Hawaii State government you have access to data that would take the average citizen months to compile. How many of the firearms listed in this bill were used in the commission of a crime? How many of those guns were legally owned?  This bill will not reduce the occurrences of gun related crimes in this state. It will not make anyone safer. It will only further burden the law abiding citizens of the State of Hawaii. That is not in keeping with the Second Amendment of the United States nor the Section 17 of the Hawaii State Constitution.

I would like to suggest that a bill be created to institute harsher punishment for those who would use a firearm in the commission of a crime; a law similar to Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. The law's name comes from three main mandatory sentences: 1) producing a firearm during the commission of certain felonies mandates at least a 10-year prison sentence; 2) firing one mandates at least a 20-year prison sentence; and 3) shooting someone mandates a minimum sentence of 25 years regardless of whether a victim is killed or simply injured. The maximum penalty is a life sentence. Laws that impose stiffer penalties will keep those inclined to commit crime out of society and act as a deterrent to those who might commit a crime.

It’s time that we stop punishing our law abiding citizens for the crimes that are committed by criminals. I strongly urge you to not vote for this bill or any other bill that would further erode the rights of the people of Hawaii.


Sincerely


Thomas D. Hopkins

nice letter,  I wrote my representative and senator,  it wasn't quite as nice as your letter.   great job.

I used onfloat's letter as written.  Do not trust my bad temper, it does get away from me when typing.

Why I avoid communicating with liberals on various forums.  If they provoke an angry response, they think they have proof of something.

This letter was polite, calm, and to the point.  I sent it to the two democrats that "represent" me, knowing it will be ignored.