In advance of hearings scheduled Tuesday at the Hawaii State Capitol, the NRA has sent out an action alert.

Amy Hunter, a group media liaison, lists the bills and the NRA’s arguments against them.

House Bill 625 would expand prohibited possessors to include certain misdemeanor crimes.

The NRA says: “Under this bill, sending unwanted text messages and emails could qualify someone for misdemeanor stalking and possibly result in an individual being denied a constitutional right. …

“Further, by including a new category of prohibited possessors for certain misdemeanor crimes some citizens who may have taken a plea deal years ago will also become prohibited overnight and not been apprised of this additional penalty when taking their deal or fighting their case.”

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

House Bill 626 would establish a petty misdemeanor for drinking alcohol while possessing a firearm.

The NRA says: “HB 626 does not set a limit for the amount of alcohol an individual can legally consume while in possession of a firearm. Without this specification, any amount of alcohol consumption while in possession of a firearm could constitute a crime. Individuals who possess a firearm and have had a couple sips of wine or anything containing alcohol, like Nyquil, could be in violation of the law.”

House Bill 2629 would expand the existing registration requirement to implement a federal biometric registry of Hawaii gun owners.

The NRA says: “Positive hits in this system have not necessarily been adjudicated and could cause issues with an individual’s ability to exercise their constitutional rights. … “

Arguments in favor of each of these bills can be read by clicking on the bill links. But, generally, supporters say the legislation promotes public safety.