Report Title:

Firing Range; County

Description:

Provides for county regulation of firing ranges. Authorizes chief of police to issue permits.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1118

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO FIRing ranges.

 

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:

""Firing range" means any place or premises where facilities allow any firearm to be used for target shooting, practice, amusement, matches, or competition by any person. This shall also include situations where any person is compensated for the use of the firing range."

SECTION 2. Chapter 134, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the title of part II to read as follows:

"PART II. FIREARMS, DEALERS' LICENSES, AND FIRING RANGES"

SECTION 3. Chapter 134, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§134- Permit required to operate a firing range. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to establish, keep, conduct, or operate any firing range without a permit, or to assist in establishing, conducting, or operating any such firing range.

(b) The chief of police of each respective county shall control the issuance, regulation, and specification of all firing range permits within the applicable county.

(c) An applicant shall be twenty-one years of age or older; shall have been a resident of the State continuously for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the application; and shall not have been convicted, under indictment, or under investigation in this State or elsewhere of any felony or having committed or attempted to commit any crime of violence.

(d) Application for a permit shall be made in writing to the chief of police and shall be signed and verified under oath by the applicant, and accompanied by the permit fee. The application shall include:

(1) The applicant's name, address, sex, height, weight, date of birth, place of birth, social security number, and shall require the fingerprinting and photographing of the applicant;

(2) The occupation of the applicant;

(3) A full and complete description of the place and location of the firing range for which a permit is desired;

(4) The full name and address of the owner of the premises, if different from the person in control of the premises;

(5) The term for which the applicant desires a permit, that is, whether for one day, several days, a month, or a year; provided that in no case shall the permit be valid for more than one year;

(6) A statement that neither the applicant, nor any agent or employee connected with the firing range, has been convicted of any felony or any crime of violence or is under indictment or investigation for any felony or any crime of violence; and

(7) The number of shooting lanes proposed.

(e) If the applicant is a corporation, firm, association, or club, the organization shall first appoint an agent who shall be given full authority and control of the premises and of all matters involving the firing range. The appointment and authority shall be in writing and duly executed. The appointed agent shall then be sole applicant for the firing range permit. In addition to the information required in subsection (d), the applicant shall state the name of the business, the business address, and a full description of the operations of the business.

(f) No permit shall be issued to any person or corporation that has been convicted more than twice of violating any provisions of this section.

(g) All permits to operate a firing range shall be subject to all applicable laws and ordinances and to the following conditions, which shall be written and placed upon the permit:

(1) The applicant shall ensure that no present or future agent or employee connected with the firing range is under the age of twenty-one or has been convicted, under indictment, or under investigation in this State or elsewhere of having committed any felony offense or any crime of violence;

(2) The firing range shall be brightly lit at all times when it is open for business;

(3) The firing range shall operate only between the hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.;

(4) A ledger shall be kept of all persons entering the establishment. The ledger shall include the person's printed name, signature, date of birth, social security number, the date and time the person entered and exited the establishment, and the make, model, and serial number of all firearms the person brings into the establishment;

(5) A copy of the firearm registrations shall be presented for all firearms brought into the establishment;

(6) No person under the age of twenty-one shall be permitted to handle any firearm at the firing range, except under the supervision of a responsible adult;

(7) No person under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall be permitted to handle any firearms or to remain in the premises;

(8) No intoxicating liquor or any other illegal substance shall be consumed in or upon the premises;

(9) The permit holder, or its agent who is duly registered with the chief of police, shall be present within the premises at all times while it is open for business;

(10) No person shall be permitted entry into the area situated between the firing line and targets when firing is in progress;

(11) The area of the firing range shall not be used for any other purpose whatsoever, when firing is in progress;

(12) Only firearms meeting the manufacturer's safety standards of the range's construction shall be allowed; a visible sign shall be posted to inform customers of the maximum caliber capacity of the firing range; and the firing range manufacturer's specifications shall be conspicuously posted;

(13) Air ventilation for the firing range shall meet all requirements established by the state department of health;

(14) Additional safety precautions shall be taken, as required or approved by the chief of police, to prevent any injury to the public;

(15) The chief of police or designee, or any health, fire, or law enforcement officer of the county, State, or the United States, may at any time enter the premises for the purposes of inspection.

(h) A fee of $50 should be charged for each permit issued under this section. The fee shall be deposited into the general fund of the issuing county.

(i) The chief of police of each respective county may suspend or revoke permits under this section at any time for a violation by the holder of the permit of any applicable law, rule, or county ordinance.

(j) In the event the permit holder discontinues the operation of the firing range, notice of the discontinuance immediately shall be given in writing to the chief of police and the permit surrendered to the chief of police within five days.

(k) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to lessen or invalidate any requirement, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, prescribed by any other law, rule, or ordinance.

(l) No permit shall be transferable.

§134- Penalty. Any person who violates any of the provisions of section 134- shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

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. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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By Request