Hawaii lawmakers are on the verge of passing what some are calling the most extreme gun control legislation in the country. Senate Bill 401 (SB401), formally titled “Relating to Firearms,” has passed through multiple committees and a joint House-Senate conference. It now awaits a final vote in the state legislature. According to the official description on the Hawaii State Legislature website, SB401 establishes new prohibitions on “assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms,” while also expanding the state’s longstanding ban on high-capacity magazines.
The law, if enacted, will take effect on January 1, 2026, and may reshape legal gun ownership across the islands. As of April 30, 2025, the bill was recommitted to a conference committee for final changes, but legislative momentum indicates it could pass imminently. With support from key lawmakers like Senator Karl Rhoads and Senator Brandon Elefante, Hawaii is doubling down on its already restrictive gun laws.
More Than Just .50 Cal – A Dramatic Expansion
Initially introduced in January, SB401 only targeted .50 caliber rifles. But as Pew Pew Tactical reported, the bill morphed during the legislative process, ultimately absorbing failed proposals from another gun control effort, HB 893. That maneuver expanded SB401 into a sweeping ban on a range of common firearms, including semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines, semi-automatic shotguns holding more than five shells, and any handgun capable of holding more than ten rounds.
Senator Rhoads defended the bill by invoking mass shootings, claiming AR-15-style rifles with large magazines are the weapon of choice for “mass murderers” due to their high capacity and rapid firing ability. However, this justification has been hotly contested by gun rights advocates, who argue that the bill criminalizes everyday firearms owned by responsible citizens.
The Hawaii Firearms Coalition Warns of Overreach
Local Second Amendment groups, such as the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, have been sounding the alarm since the bill’s rewrite. In a strongly worded social media post, the coalition declared, “Modern hunting rifles and shotguns are targeted – Hawaii hunters will lose many of their tools.” They further emphasized that the language banning these firearms was never given a full Senate hearing, calling the legislative strategy “a betrayal of the public.”
Their biggest concern? That the House added the revised language at the last minute using a maneuver called “gut and replace” – effectively swapping the bill’s entire contents without reopening it for public testimony. To critics, this silenced residents on one of the most consequential gun bills in state history.
“No Testimony Allowed” Sparks Backlash
Gun rights YouTuber Jared Yanis of Guns & Gadgets didn’t hold back in his coverage of SB401. In his recent video, Yanis blasted the bill as a prime example of “cowardly” lawmaking. “No public testimony was allowed,” he said. “None. We don’t care about you, you scumbag citizens. That’s what they’re saying.”
Yanis went on to explain that the bill makes it illegal to possess or transfer a wide swath of firearms and magazines. If a resident currently owns a newly prohibited gun, their options are bleak: render it inoperable, turn it in to the government, or somehow remove it from the state – an almost laughable suggestion considering Hawaii’s geography.
Detachable Magazines and Semiautos in the Crosshairs
One of the most controversial aspects of SB401 is its language regarding detachable magazines. According to both Pew Pew Tactical and the Hawaii State Legislature site, the bill targets not only rifles and shotguns but handguns capable of holding more than ten rounds. This effectively bans most modern pistols, used every day by law-abiding citizens for self-defense, competition, and recreation.
Even though existing owners will be “grandfathered in” under the bill, they’ll face strict transfer restrictions. A legally owned AR-15, for example, can’t be sold to another Hawaii resident unless it’s a family member, and even then, only under specific conditions. This places severe limitations on gun owners and raises serious questions about constitutional rights under the Second Amendment.
A Blueprint for Other States?
Jared Yanis emphasized that Hawaii’s SB401 isn’t just a local issue. “This is a test case,” he warned. “If it works in Hawaii, you better believe the same strategy will spread to other blue states.” Yanis pointed out that Hawaii’s approach, including its refusal to allow public comment and its broad definitions of banned weapons, could be replicated across the U.S. if left unchecked.
He also warned that law enforcement officers who choose to enforce such laws are “on the wrong side of history,” calling the potential enforcement of SB401 “a betrayal of the people they swore to protect.”
Political Symbolism or Legislative Threat?
Although some might dismiss the bill as political grandstanding in a solidly blue state, the truth is far more serious. Hawaii has long been a bellwether for restrictive gun legislation. As Pew Pew Tactical noted, the state passed a semi-automatic pistol ban all the way back in 1992. Now, the legislature is turning its sights on rifles and shotguns – potentially setting the precedent for similar measures on the mainland.
Supporters say SB401 is “common sense” legislation aimed at saving lives, but critics say it overreaches, disregards due process, and punishes law-abiding gun owners.
Public Opposition Silenced
One of the most disturbing parts of this story is the way the bill was modified. As noted by the Hawaii Firearms Coalition and echoed by Yanis, the bill’s controversial language was added after the original version had already passed through most of the legislative process. That means residents never got to testify or challenge the changes in public hearings.
This legislative sleight-of-hand, known as “gut and replace,” is often criticized even in less contentious bills. But when used on an issue as divisive and constitutionally significant as gun control, it erodes public trust and transparency.
Where Things Stand Now
As of April 30, 2025, the Hawaii State Legislature website shows SB401 is recommitted to conference committee under the final designation CD2. It’s unclear whether further amendments will be made, but the bill has already passed through most procedural hurdles. A vote could occur at any time.
According to vote tallies published online, the bill has deeply divided lawmakers, with multiple senators and representatives voting “No” or expressing reservations. The final outcome is still uncertain, though observers on both sides believe it will likely pass.
Legal Challenges on the Horizon
If SB401 becomes law, gun rights groups are expected to sue immediately. The Hawaii Firearms Coalition stated unequivocally: “We will 100 percent challenge this in court.” Their argument rests on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which clarified that firearm restrictions must align with the historical tradition of gun regulation in America – a test that many say SB401 fails.
Jared Yanis also cited the Hawaii Supreme Court’s own history of interpreting gun rights more narrowly than federal precedent, suggesting the state’s courts may not protect gun owners. This adds urgency to potential federal litigation.
A Dangerous New Standard?
From a constitutional perspective, Hawaii’s SB401 isn’t just aggressive – it may be unprecedented. Few states have gone so far in defining and banning such a wide range of firearm types based solely on features, magazine capacity, or cosmetic configuration. And the tactic used to pass the bill, quietly replacing the language of a failed bill, may be as controversial as the law itself.
The real question now is not just whether SB401 passes, but what happens next: Will the courts uphold it? Will other states copy it? And will voters, gun owners, and the wider public stand by as their rights are narrowed without a vote, without a voice?
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.