The state House Judiciary Committee today fell short of a quorum to move a bill that would have banned .50-caliber Browning machine gun rifles and cartridges.

Earlier this month, the committee deferred the bill. But committee leaders agreed to try to round up votes after the Honolulu Police Department said it was a priority for it. A committee hearing today did not attract enough lawmakers for a quorum, so the bill could not go forward.

A similar bill in the state Senate has also failed to move as the deadline for bills to cross over between chambers approaches next week. Lawmakers said the idea is essentially dead for the session.

The HPD purchased four of the high-powered rifles to help deal with suspects who might use vehicles as weapons or in other volatile situations. Police have argued that the weapons are not useful for recreational target shooting and hunting, and that they could pose a threat to civil aviation.

Gun enthusiasts have said the weapons are used for target shooting and that the threat to civil aviation is remote.