HB 392: Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package; Criminal Offenses; Firearms; Ghost Guns

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 134-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Ghost gun" means a firearm, including a firearm frame or firearm receiver, that has not been imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer.  "Ghost gun" does not include a firearm that has been rendered permanently inoperable."

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§706-     Sentence of imprisonment for use of a ghost gun in a felony.  (1)  A person convicted of a felony, where the person had a ghost gun in the person's possession or threatened its use or used the ghost gun while engaged in the commission of the felony, whether the ghost gun was loaded or not, may in addition to the indeterminate term of imprisonment provided for the grade of offense be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation the length of which shall be as follows:

     (a)  For murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree—up to fifteen years;

     (b)  For a class A felony—up to ten years;

     (c)  For a class B felony—up to five years; and

     (d)  For a class C felony—up to three years.

The sentence of imprisonment for a felony involving the use of a ghost gun as provided in this section shall not be subject to the procedure for determining minimum term of imprisonment prescribed under section 706-669; provided that a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution as provided in this subsection shall become subject to the parole procedure as prescribed in section 706-670 only upon the expiration of the term of mandatory imprisonment fixed under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d).

     (2)  A person convicted of a second or subsequent ghost gun felony offense as provided in subsection (1), where the person had a ghost gun in the person's possession or threatened its use or used the ghost gun while engaged in the commission of the felony, whether the ghost gun was loaded or not, shall in addition to the indeterminate term of imprisonment provided for the grade of offense be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation the length of which shall be as follows:

     (a)  For murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree—twenty years;

     (b)  For a class A felony—thirteen years, four months;

     (c)  For a class B felony—six years, eight months; and

     (d)  For a class C felony—three years, four months.

The sentence of imprisonment for a second or subsequent felony offense involving the use of a ghost gun as provided in this subsection shall not be subject to the procedure for determining a minimum term of imprisonment prescribed under section 706-669; provided that a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution as provided in this subsection shall become subject to the parole procedure as prescribed in section 706-670 only upon expiration of the term of mandatory imprisonment fixed under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d).

     (3)  Any person convicted of a ghost gun felony offense as provided in subsection (1) who has previously been convicted of a felony offense involving the use of a firearm under section 706-660.1, shall in addition to the indeterminate term of imprisonment provided for the grade of offense be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation the length of which shall be as follows:

     (a)  For murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree—twenty years;

     (b)  For a class A felony—thirteen years, four months;

     (c)  For a class B felony—six years, eight months; and

     (d)  For a class C felony—three years, four months.

The sentence of imprisonment as provided in this subsection shall not be subject to the procedure for determining a minimum term of imprisonment prescribed under section 706-669; provided that a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution as provided in this subsection shall become subject to the parole procedure as prescribed in section 706-670 only upon expiration of the term of mandatory imprisonment fixed under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d).

     (4)  In this section:

     "Firearm" has the same meaning defined in section 134-1.

     "Ghost gun" has the same meaning defined in section 134-1."

     SECTION 3.  Section 134-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§134-8  Ownership, etc., of automatic firearms, silencers, etc., prohibited; penalties.  (a)  The manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of any of the following [is] shall be prohibited:  assault pistols, except as provided by section 134-4(e); automatic firearms; rifles with barrel lengths less than sixteen inches; ghost guns; shotguns with barrel lengths less than eighteen inches; cannons; mufflers, silencers, or devices for deadening or muffling the sound of discharged firearms; hand grenades, dynamite, blasting caps, bombs, or bombshells, or other explosives; or any type of ammunition or any projectile component thereof coated with teflon or any other similar coating designed primarily to enhance its capability to penetrate metal or pierce protective armor; and any type of ammunition or any projectile component thereof designed or intended to explode or segment upon impact with its target.

     (b)  Any person who installs, removes, or alters a firearm part with the intent to convert the firearm to an automatic firearm shall be deemed to have manufactured an automatic firearm in violation of subsection (a).

     (c)  The manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of detachable ammunition magazines with a capacity in excess of ten rounds [which] that are designed for or capable of use with a pistol [is] shall be prohibited.  This subsection shall not apply to magazines originally designed to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition [which] that have been modified to accept no more than ten rounds and [which] that are not capable of being readily restored to a capacity of more than ten rounds.

     (d)  Any person violating subsection (a) or (b) shall be guilty of a class C felony and shall be imprisoned for a term of five years without probation.  Any person violating subsection (c) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor except when a detachable magazine prohibited under this section is possessed while inserted into a pistol in which case the person shall be guilty of a class C felony.

     (e)  In any prosecution for the manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of a ghost gun, it shall be an affirmative defense that the person holds a current license to sell and manufacture firearms for sale under section 134-31, or that the person is a dealer licensed by the United States Department of Justice, or that the firearm is not required to have a serial number under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968."

     SECTION 4.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 5.  If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package; Criminal Offenses; Firearms; Ghost Guns

Description:

Prohibits the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns.  Establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that gun violence is a growing concern in Hawaii.  In particular, ghost guns are a major concern.  The number of ghost guns, used in the commission of crimes, confiscated by the Honolulu Police Department on Oahu from January 1, 2024, to November 2024 is eighty-four compared with thirty-four for the same time period.  Currently, the law prohibits the possession or acquisition of firearm parts with the purpose of assembling a firearm.  But this law does not prohibit the possession, transfer, or sale of an already‑assembled ghost gun.

     Further, ghost guns are inherently problematic because they do not have serial numbers.  Without serial numbers, guns are untraceable.  When a gun with a serial number is recovered at a crime scene, it can be traced back to its manufacturer based on the serial number.  This tool aids law enforcement in investigating and solving crime.  Another problem with ghost guns is that they can be bought and transferred without the background check necessary to ensure those with guns are safe owners.  It is therefore necessary to criminalize the possession or transfer of a ghost gun in order to deter and decrease the proliferation of these guns to people who should not be in possession of them.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to criminalize the possession, transfer, or sale of assembled ghost guns.

     SECTION 2.  Section 134-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Ghost gun" means a firearm, including a firearm frame or firearm receiver, that has not been imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer.  It does not include a firearm that has been rendered permanently inoperable."

     SECTION 3.  Section 134-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§134-8  Ownership, etc., of automatic firearms, silencers, etc., prohibited; penalties.  (a)  The manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of any of the following is prohibited:  assault pistols, except as provided by section 134-4(e); automatic firearms; rifles with barrel lengths less than sixteen inches; ghost guns; shotguns with barrel lengths less than eighteen inches; cannons; mufflers, silencers, or devices for deadening or muffling the sound of discharged firearms; hand grenades, dynamite, blasting caps, bombs, or bombshells, or other explosives; or any type of ammunition or any projectile component thereof coated with teflon or any other similar coating designed primarily to enhance its capability to penetrate metal or pierce protective armor; and any type of ammunition or any projectile component thereof designed or intended to explode or segment upon impact with its target.

     (b)  Any person who installs, removes, or alters a firearm part with the intent to convert the firearm to an automatic firearm shall be deemed to have manufactured an automatic firearm in violation of subsection (a).

     (c)  The manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of detachable ammunition magazines with a capacity in excess of ten rounds which are designed for or capable of use with a pistol is prohibited.  This subsection shall not apply to magazines originally designed to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition which have been modified to accept no more than ten rounds and which are not capable of being readily restored to a capacity of more than ten rounds.

     (d)  Any person violating subsection (a) or (b) shall be guilty of a class C felony and shall be imprisoned for a term of five years without probation.  Any person violating subsection (c) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor except when a detachable magazine prohibited under this section is possessed while inserted into a pistol in which case the person shall be guilty of a class C felony.

     (e)  In any prosecution for the manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of a ghost gun, it shall be an affirmative defense that the person holds a current license to sell and manufacture firearms for sale under section 134-31, or that the person is a dealer licensed by the United States Department of Justice, or that the firearm is not required to have a serial number under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968."

     SECTION 4.  Chapter 706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§706-     Sentence of imprisonment for use of a ghost gun in a felony.  (1)  A person convicted of a felony, where the person had a ghost gun in the person’s possession or threatened its use or used the ghost gun while engaged in the commission of the felony, whether the ghost gun was loaded or not, may in addition to the indeterminate term of imprisonment provided for the grade of offense be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation the length of which shall be as follows:

     (a)  For murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree—up to fifteen years;

     (b)  For a class A felony—up to ten years;

     (c)  For a class B felony—up to five years; and

     (d)  For a class C felony—up to three years.

The sentence of imprisonment for a felony involving the use of a ghost gun as provided in this section shall not be subject to the procedure for determining minimum term of imprisonment prescribed under section 706-669; provided further that a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution as provided in this subsection shall become subject to the parole procedure as prescribed in section 706-670 only upon the expiration of the term of mandatory imprisonment fixed under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d).

     (2)  A person convicted of a second ghost gun felony offense as provided in subsection (1), where the person had a ghost gun in the person’s possession or threatened its use or used the ghost gun while engaged in the commission of the felony, whether the ghost gun was loaded or not, shall in addition to the indeterminate term of imprisonment provided for the grade of offense be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation the length of which shall be as follows:

     (a)  For murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree—twenty years;

     (b)  For a class A felony—thirteen years, four months;

     (c)  For a class B felony—six years, eight months; and

     (d)  For a class C felony—three years, four months.

The sentence of imprisonment for a second felony offense involving the use of a ghost gun as provided in this subsection shall not be subject to the procedure for determining a minimum term of imprisonment prescribed under section 706-669; provided further that a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution as provided in this subsection shall become subject to the parole procedure as prescribed in section 706-670 only upon expiration of the term of mandatory imprisonment fixed under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d).

     (3)  Any person convicted of a ghost gun felony offense as provided in subsection (1) who has previously been convicted of a felony offense involving the use of a firearm under section 706-660.1, shall in addition to the indeterminate term of imprisonment provided for the grade of offense be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation the length of which shall be as follows:

     (a)  For murder in the second degree and attempted murder in the second degree—twenty years;

     (b)  For a class A felony—thirteen years, four months;

     (c)  For a class B felony—six years, eight months; and

     (d)  For a class C felony—three years, four months.

The sentence of imprisonment as provided in this subsection shall not be subject to the procedure for determining a minimum term of imprisonment prescribed under section 706-669; provided further that a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution as provided in this subsection shall become subject to the parole procedure as prescribed in section 706-670 only upon expiration of the term of mandatory imprisonment fixed under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d).

     (4)  In this section:

     "Firearm" has the same meaning defined in section 134-1.

     "Ghost gun" has the same meaning defined in section 134-1."

     SECTION 5.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 6.  If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

     SECTION 7.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 8.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package; Criminal Offenses; Firearms; Ghost Guns

Description:

Prohibits the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns.  Establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1370

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 392

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 392, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Prohibit the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns; and

     (2)  Establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and four individuals.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Patriot Republicans, and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee finds that ghost guns pose a significant threat to public safety in the State.  Ghost guns are firearms that lack serial numbers and can be assembled from kits or created using 3D printers, making them virtually untraceable by law enforcement.  Without serial numbers or registration requirements, ghost guns allow individuals who would otherwise be prohibited from legally purchasing firearms to circumvent background checks and obtain firearms that cannot be traced.

Your Committee further finds that the existence of unregistered ghost guns creates a dangerous gap in firearms regulations in the State and that additional legal mechanisms are necessary to address this emerging threat to public safety.  Accordingly, this measure defines a ghost gun as a firearm, prohibits the unlawful possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns, and prescribes sentencing enhancements for ghost guns that parallel similar provisions for firearms.  The establishment of mandatory minimum sentences for using ghost guns in felony offenses serves as both a deterrent and an appropriate punishment for those who use these weapons to commit serious crimes. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 392, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  827

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 392

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 392 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony; and

     (2)  Prohibit the manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of ghost guns.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu; Giffords; and ten individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the National Rifle Association; Hawaii Rifle Association; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will strengthen Hawaii's firearms laws and enhance public safety in the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting the preamble;

     (2)  Clarifying that the penalties for a subsequent conviction for a ghost gun felony offense are the same as the penalties for a second ghost gun felony offense; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 392, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 392, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,