SB 401 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Summary

Establishes prohibitions on assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms. Expands the ban on high-capacity detachable magazines. Allows possession of an assault rifle, assault shotgun, or detachable magazine with a capacity greater than ten rounds when certain conditions are met. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD2)

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Apr 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB401_SD1 → SB401_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

SB 401 was revised to expand firearm prohibitions by adding shotguns to the list of banned weapons with high-caliber ammunition capacity, while also creating a grandfather clause for legally owned firearms. The bill now prohibits possession of any firearm (not just rifles) that can fire ammunition of fifty caliber or higher, except for antique pistols, revolvers, and muzzleloaders. A new exemption allows individuals to keep firearms legally obtained before the effective date of January 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from only covering rifles to include shotguns and all firearms with high-caliber ammunition capacity, while adding a grandfather clause for pre-existing legal ownership.

SCOPE

Shotguns are now included in the prohibited weapons list when they have the capacity to fire ammunition of fifty caliber or higher

ELIGIBILITY

New grandfather clause exempts firearms legally obtained before January 1, 2026 from the prohibition

DEFINITION

Clarified that the prohibition applies to any firearm with high-caliber capacity, not just rifles

TIMELINE

Effective date remains January 1, 2026, but now includes transition provisions for existing legal ownership

SB401_CD1_SFA15 → SB401_CD2 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands Hawaii's firearm restrictions by adding new definitions for assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms, and imposes a ban on their possession starting January 1, 2026. It also strengthens the ban on high-capacity detachable magazines and clarifies where registered firearms may be legally carried. The changes affect both new definitions and enforcement rules while maintaining grandfather provisions for lawfully possessed weapons.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of prohibited firearms by adding three new categories (assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms) to existing prohibitions, while also clarifying where registered weapons may be carried.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for '.50 caliber firearm', 'antique firearm', 'assault rifle', 'assault shotgun', 'detachable magazine', 'fixed magazine', and 'muzzleloader' to clarify what weapons fall under the law.

Modified the definition of 'assault pistol' to include specific characteristics like magazine placement, barrel threading, shrouds, weight, and length, while excluding antique firearms and curio/relics.

TIMELINE

Established January 1, 2026 as the effective date for bans on assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms, with a 90-day window for registration before that date.

REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 134-8 to specify exactly where registered assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms may be carried (private property, licensed ranges, or while traveling to/from these locations), with the requirement that they be unloaded in an enclosed container during transport.

Added new provisions requiring registration of assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms with the county chief of police by July 1, 2026, and requiring secure storage in locked safes.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified penalty provisions to clarify that possessing prohibited magazines while inserted into a firearm constitutes a class C felony, while other violations are misdemeanors.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions for lawful subsistence hunting and invasive species control when using assault rifles, assault shotguns, or high-capacity magazines.

FISCAL

Added provision requiring the state to provide just compensation to registered owners if the state requires surrender of lawfully possessed firearms or magazines before January 1, 2026.

SB401_CD1 → SB401_CD1_SFA15 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This amendment replaces the original SB 401 with a new version that significantly expands firearm regulations by adding definitions for .50 caliber firearms and assault weapons, while simultaneously creating a registration and possession framework for these weapons. The bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transfer of assault rifles, shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms, but establishes a grandfathering provision allowing lawfully possessed weapons to remain legal if registered by July 1, 2026. The amendment also includes exemptions for hunting, invasive species control, and licensed dealers.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from undefined firearm regulations to specific prohibitions on assault weapons and .50 caliber firearms, with new registration requirements and grandfathering provisions for existing owners.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for .50 caliber firearm, assault rifle, assault shotgun, and detachable magazine to clarify what weapons are regulated under the bill.

REQUIREMENT

Established a registration requirement for assault rifles, assault shotguns, and detachable magazines with more than ten rounds, with a deadline of July 1, 2026.

TIMELINE

Created a grandfathering provision allowing lawfully possessed weapons before January 1, 2026, to remain legal if registered by July 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions for lawful subsistence hunting, invasive species control, and licensed firearms dealers operating in the state.

ENFORCEMENT

Established penalties including class C felony charges for violations, with specific provisions for possession of prohibited magazines when inserted into a firearm.

FISCAL

Added a provision requiring the state to provide fair market value compensation to registered owners if firearms or magazines are surrendered, seized, or prohibited.

SCOPE

Changed the bill from undefined firearm regulations to specific prohibitions on assault weapons and .50 caliber firearms with detailed possession restrictions.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Committee

Recommitted to Conference committee as amended in CD 1 with none voting no and Representative(s) Cochran excused.

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Committee

Recommitted to Conference Committee.

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Report filed.

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Separated Committee Report.

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment adopted as amended (CD 2) following Roll Call vote: Ayes, 13. Ayes(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 12 (Senator(s) Chang, Dela Cruz, Elefante, Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Ihara, Inouye, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Lee, C., Moriwaki, Rhoads). Excused, 0 (none).

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment No. 15 offered.

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 85) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25.

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 85).

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 2 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Todd; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Rhoads, Chang, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-25 4:30PM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 578).

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Kila, Kong, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (8) and Representative(s) Cochran, Kapela, Marten excused (3). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Shimizu; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 150) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 20; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Aquino, McKelvey, Richards, San Buenaventura. Noes, 5 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCoite, DeCorte, Fevella, Gabbard). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) Gabbard, San Buenaventura; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 552) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM, JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor