H.B. 2465 Summary

• Adds U.S. nationals (including persons born in American Samoa who are not citizens but owe permanent allegiance to the U.S.) to those eligible to obtain firearm acquisition permits from county police chiefs in Hawaii.

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 134-2(d) to authorize permits for "citizens and nationals of the United States" age 21 or older who otherwise meet applicable criteria.

• Adds definition of "national of the United States" to Section 134-1, HRS, referencing Title 8 United States Code Section 1101.

• Finds that the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 does not explicitly prohibit U.S. nationals from firearm ownership and that federal firearms transaction forms recognize U.S. nationals as eligible purchasers.

• Takes effect upon approval and does not affect rights, duties, or proceedings that began before its effective date.