State of Hawaii Archives: on Gun Control


Ron Curtis: For mandatory background checks but wants minimum age 18

I support gun-control legislation that is not overly intrusive or too˙broad in scope. I support mandatory background checks for all means of gun purchases. We entrust our 18-year-olds with guns to defend our freedoms in our military, but many states ban them from owning a gun until they are 21. I don't like that hypocrisy. The minimum requirement to serve in the military is being 18 years old and having a high school diploma or GED. Make that the same for gun ownership.
Source: The Civil Beat on 2018 Hawaii Senate race Jul 1, 2018

Andria Tupola: Supporter of 2nd Amendment, it's a right not a privilege

I support 2nd amendment rights and have regularly helped the NRA oppose some of the legislation regarding gun control. We didn't have any last year. But the year before there were many bills introduced and I voted No on all the bills that took away gun rights.˙ I agree that the right to bear arms is in fact a right, and not a privilege that can be "curbed" by legislation.˙ I am firm in my stance to protect the second amendment.
Source: 2ahawaii.com blog on 2018 Hawaii gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2018

Tulsi Gabbard: Advocate for sensible gun control

Tulsi has a consistent record of advocating for sensible gun control. She has long called for reinstating a federal ban on military-style assault weapons and high capacity clips, requiring comprehensive pre-purchase background checks, closing the gun-show loophole, and making sure that terrorists are not allowed to buy guns. Tulsi is focused on building bipartisan solutions that can actually be passed into law, rather than using the issue as a partisan political football.
Source: VoteTulsi.com on Hawaii legislative voting records Nov 8, 2016

John Carroll: Hawaii has reasonable gun control laws; no federal bans

Q: What should the U.S. Congress do to reduce gun violence?

JC: At this point, Hawaii has reasonable gun control laws. Gun control bans should never be enforced on a national level, but should be handled on a state level.

Source: Maui Time on 2016 Hawaii Senate race Jun 27, 2016

John Carroll: Gun control bans should be handled on state level

Q: What (if anything) should the U.S. Congress do to reduce gun violence?

JC: At this point, Hawaii has reasonable gun control laws. Gun control bans should never be enforced on a national level, but should be handled on a state level.

Source: Maui Time on 2018 Hawaii Gubernatorial race Jun 27, 2016

Mark Takai: No military-grade weapons in homes; ban them

"I have a military background--that is why I don't understand why individuals need military grade weapons in their homes."

I believe citizens should be allowed to own guns for sport--guns without military applications like automatic firing capability. No one needs an Uzi to puncture paper targets or to bring down a pig during hunting season. These weapons are for killing and should be banned. military grade weapons in their homes.

I also believe that guns should be stored with mandatory trigger locks, that there should be mandatory training requirements, waiting periods for purchasing guns and universal background checks so that people with mental health or violent criminal records cannot legally buy a gun.

Source: 2014 Hawaii House campaign website, MarkTakai.com Nov 4, 2014

Cam Cavasso: Opposes more gun restrictions

Question topic: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.

Cavasso: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Eddie Pirkowski: Opposes more gun restrictions

Question topic: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.

Pirkowski: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Jul 2, 2014

Neil Abercrombie: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Jul 9, 2013

Cynthia Thielen: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Rep. Cynthia Thielen voted YES; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

Cynthia Thielen: Oppose background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Rep. Bob McDermott voted NO; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

David Ige: Require background checks to register gun from out of state

SB69: Requires county police departments under certain conditions to fingerprint, photograph, and perform background checks on individuals who wish to register a firearm that was procured out-of-state.

Hawai'i Free Press summary: These requirements are so onerous that if one acquired an antique firearm or an unusable or unserviceable firearm, then they would still have to undergo the entire background check, registration and fingerprinting process. Hunters and shooters beware, precious vacation, shooting and hunting time will be spent in long registration lines while fingerprinting, photographing and background checks are conducted on you and your already legally-possessed firearm!

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 23-1-1 on Apr/30/13; Sen. David Ige voted YES; Passed House 48-3-0 on Apr/30/13; Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on Jul/9/13

Source: Hawai'i Free Press on Hawaii legislative voting record SB69 Apr 30, 2013

David Ige: Supports background checks; opposes concealed carry

Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

A: Yes.

Q: Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?

A: Yes.

Q: Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?

A: No.

Q: Should a license be required for gun possession?

A: Yes.

Source: Hawaii Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Duke Aiona: Background checks & no concealed carry, within 2nd amendment

Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring a license for gun possession?

A: Yes.

Aiona adds, "As a former State judge, I understand the 2nd Amendment, which allows for the ownership of firearms."

Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Cam Cavasso: Never diminish a citizen's right to protect themselves

Former Rep. Cam Cavasso unveils campaign platform: "I will only vote for Supreme Court nominees who are strict constructionists. James Madison said that our greatest source of security as a republic was in having an "inviolable respect for the Constitution and the rule of law". As a United States Senator, I will fight against the confirmation of jurists who seek to legislate from the bench or who seek to use their political ideology to infringe upon the basic Constitutional rights of Americans. That includes my belief that the 2nd Amendment cannot be misinterpreted in any way to diminish a citizen's right to protect themselves."
Source: Hawaii Free Press on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Jul 11, 2010

  • The above quotations are from State of Hawaii Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Gun Control:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 12, 2021