Hawaiʻi Conference Committee Advances Bipartisan Legislation to Ban the Weapons of Choice for Mass Shooters 

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i chapter of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, issued the following statement after lawmakers in the Conference Committee advanced SB 401. 

“Today we are one step closer to protecting our islands from weapons that have turned far too many communities into war zones,” said Erica Yamauchi, a volunteer with the Hawai’i chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Assault weapons have been used to cause unimaginable harm in just seconds – in grocery stores, schools, and parades across the nation. We urge lawmakers to not wait for tragedy to strike before taking action and send this legislation to Governor Josh Green’s desk.” 

From 2009 to 2022, nine out of the 10 mass shooting incidents with the most casualties involved the use of at least one assault weapon. A 2021 study found that the federal prohibition on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was associated with a significant decrease in public mass shootings and related casualties, and prevented at least 11 public mass shootings during the 10 years it was in effect. 

Information on gun violence in Hawaiʻi is available here. To speak with a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, please reach out to [email protected].