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Bill

HB 279

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 15 co-sponsors

Hawaii HB 279 addresses firearms policy but was deferred by committee and carried to 2026 without specific provisions disclosed in legislative records.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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Bill Summary · HB 279

Legislative bill overview

HB 279 is a firearms-related bill introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives that has been carried over to the 2026 legislative session without advancement. The bill was referred to the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) and Finance (FIN) committees, where the JHA committee recommended deferral in February 2025. The specific provisions of HB 279 are not publicly detailed in the action summary provided.

Why is this important

Firearms legislation is consistently among the most contentious policy areas in American legislatures, affecting public safety, constitutional rights, and law enforcement practices. Hawaii has some of the nation's strictest gun regulations, making any firearms bill potentially significant for the state's regulatory framework and serving as a model or cautionary example for other jurisdictions.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment balance: Firearms bills typically pit constitutional rights advocates against public safety proponents regarding what regulations are permissible
  • Hawaii's regulatory environment: The state already maintains strict gun laws, so the bill's specific provisions could either expand restrictions further or modify existing regulations in ways that draw opposition
  • Committee deferral signal: The JHA committee's recommendation to defer suggests internal disagreement or concerns about the bill's current form, indicating substantive controversy among legislators

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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