Rep. Ing introduces “Kollin Elderts” bill

HB1129 seeks to prohibit law enforcement officers from consuming any amount of alcohol while in the possession of a firearm. The measure comes as a result of a tragic incident in which U.S. State Department special agent Christopher Deedy, who was in Hawaiʻi to provide security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, fatally shot Kollin Elderts in the Kuhio Avenue McDonald’s restaurant in the early morning of November 5, 2011. He was off duty and drunk at the time.

The measure was introduced by Representative Kaniela Ing (House District 11, Kīhei, Wailea, Makena) at the request of the Elderts’ family.

“While no legislation can heal the pain that the Elderts’ family has endured, we need to take action to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future,” Ing said during a press conference held at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on February 13, 2015, to call attention to the bill. “No matter where you stand on the Deedy trial, we can all recognize the dangers of carrying a firearm while intoxicated. This is a common sense bill that will save lives.”