02-05-2025
Democrats Vote Against Gun Control in Surprise Move
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A gun control measure in Hawaii failed by a narrow vote this week, after several state Democrats crossed the aisle to vote against it.
The defeat of Senate Bill 401, which sought to ban assault-style rifles in the state, shows an unexpected division in a party typically unified on gun control.
Kainoa Kaku, president of the Hawaii Rifle Association, checking one of his personal firearms while at his home, June, 23, 2022, in Honolulu. This is not the sort of firearm which was protected by the...
Kainoa Kaku, president of the Hawaii Rifle Association, checking one of his personal firearms while at his home, June, 23, 2022, in Honolulu. This is not the sort of firearm which was protected by the recent ruling. More
Marco Garcia, File/AP Photo
Why It Matters
The vote marks a rare instance of Democratic lawmakers breaking with their party on a high-profile gun measure, especially as Democratic Governor Josh Green was prepared to sign the bill if it passed through the Senate.
Assault rifles such as AR-15s and AK-47s are the types of guns which have been used in some of the most high-profile school shootings. They will remain legal in Hawaii for now, although assault pistols are not legal in the state.
What To Know
On Wednesday, the state Senate blocked the bill after some Democrats raised concerns about its effects on gun owners.
Hawaii state Senator Joy Buenaventura, who is typically a supporter of gun control measures, said the bill would criminalize existing owners of assault rifles, per Hawaii News Now.
She said: "Now, by their mere possession, because we decide to pass this bill, we decide to label them as criminals and that to me, it's unethical and should not be tolerated by this body."
However, Senate Judiciary chair Karl Rhoads disagreed with this take on the bill saying it allowed for "grandfathering."
He supported the bill saying its prohibition on the number of bullets a gun can fire at a time would limit fatalities in the event of a shooting, and would allow the police to get to the scene before more people could be killed.
The bill also made it illegal for guns to be given to anyone who did not purchase them directly. The gun used in the most recent fatal school shooting at Florida State University did not belong to the chief suspect.
The bill failed in a 13-12 vote, which not only went against typical Democratic positions, but also countered Hawaiian polling which shows 75 percent of Hawaiians support a ban on military-grade rifles.
Assault style weapons and hand guns for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply on Jan. 16, 2013, in Springfield, Illinois.
Assault style weapons and hand guns for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply on Jan. 16, 2013, in Springfield, Illinois.
Seth Perlman, File/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
Erica Yamauchi, a volunteer with the Hawaii chapter of the gun control advocacy group Moms Demand Action, said in a statement: "Today, lawmakers had an opportunity to right a wrong—instead they doubled down by allowing the weapon of choice for mass shooters to continue to be sold across our islands. Whenever tragedy strikes next, we'll ask ourselves what could have we done to prevent it. That moment of reckoning? It was right now. The answer was passing SB 401. Instead, Senate lawmakers caved to the pressure of the gun lobby and our communities will pay the price."
Democrat State Senator Joy Buenaventura said on the Senate floor: "But we are actually making [gun owners] criminals by possession of magazines that we had legalized before they bought it. Now, by their mere possession, because we decide to pass this bill, we decide to label them as criminals and that to me, it's unethical and should not be tolerated by this body."
What Happens Next
While Hawaii Democrats voted against this gun control measure, Democrats in the Senate in Washington DC introduced a federal Assault Weapons Ban of 2025. This bill will likely not go through as the Republicans control both chambers of Congress.
