Suit claims proposed restrictions on stun guns in Maui County violate 2nd Amendment
WAILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A new lawsuit claims Maui County is trying to violate their Second Amendment rights by making it harder for businesses to sell stun guns.
Maui lawmakers want to impose a pricey insurance requirement, but the suit seeks to block them.
Wailuku resident Christy Kajiwara-Gusman said she was excited at the start of the year because she thought she would finally be able to purchase a personal stun gun for self defense.
“A couple years ago I was a victim of an assault and a robbery,” said Kajiwara-Gusman, DC Project Hawaii state director. “And just the fact that women, especially smaller stature like myself, will be able to defend themselves, because you don’t carry a cop in your back pocket.”
The electric shock weapons became legal in Hawaii on New Year’s Day.
Maui Ammo and Gun Supply owner Mark Redeker purchased all the equipment and was ready to sell.
However, the county is now debating new legislation that would require a multi-million-dollar insurance policy for stun guns.
“Insure the County of Maui for $3 million for Tasers … they’re not even real guns,” Redeker said.
“So, it became again very, very evident that the county is doing everything in their power to stop the public from exercising their Second Amendment right.”
The proposal passed its first council reading on Friday.
Redeker says the regulations would be tougher than the ones currently in place for firearms.
Hawaii already has the strictest gun laws in the country.
“We’ll do everything that is required by the law and we’re set to do that. But right now, county said no,” said Redeker.
The next court hearing for the lawsuit is in June.
“The reason for these kinds of laws is so that we can protect ourselves and get away and get help from the police because the police are not always there,” Kajiwara-Gusman said.
A spokesperson said the County of Maui does not comment on pending litigation.
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