Committee hears department proposal to narrow H.231 firearm language to air and pneumatic rifles

Committee members reviewed draft language from the implementing agency that narrows H.231’s reach to certain mechanically propelled rifles and arrows rather than handguns.

An agency representative told the committee the department withdrew a broader provision that had raised Second Amendment concerns and is now proposing language that focuses on "air rifles, arrow rifles, [and] pre‑charged pneumatic rifles," with definitions intended to limit the coverage to devices that propel a projectile solely by compressed gas. "The department instead is proposing the new language that would focus on the specific types of weapons... air rifles, arrow rifles, pre charged pneumatic rifles," the representative said.

The draft would continue to ban possession of specified loaded rifles or shotguns in vehicles and would exclude the handgun language that had provoked opposition in the House. The department also intends to define pre‑charged pneumatic rifles and other terms to avoid overbreadth. The representative said one line in the agency draft incorrectly cited a statutory cross‑reference (47‑05(e)) and the department will correct that citation before formal drafting is completed.

Committee members discussed safety comparisons to muzzleloaders and the practical difficulty of defining when a pneumatic device is ‘‘loaded’’ or ‘‘uncapped.’’ One member noted existing law has long prohibited a loaded rifle or a shotgun in a motor vehicle and that the department’s narrower language returns to that long‑standing rule. The agency representative said that posture was intended to address illegal off‑season hunting enabled by devices that can be kept in a state ready to fire.

The committee did not adopt language during the hearing; staff said the department will supply corrected and clarified text and come back to the committee for further review.