All six candidates vying for the Democratic nomination of Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District seat said they would support legislation that would make it more difficult to obtain, if not create an outright national ban on, high-capacity magazines for semiautomatic weapons.

The candidates’ answers on the KHET-TV show “Insights” Thursday night came nearly seven days after a gunman killed 12 people and injured 58 others in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater.

Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard said the gun reform measure introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., should have been passed years ago. “If we’d taken action back then, then perhaps this terrible tragedy which just occurred a few days ago could possibly have been prevented.”

Hawaii is one of the few states that restrict magazine capacity.

Hilo attorney Bob Marx said he supports limiting magazine capacity on high-powered rifles. “I wouldn’t have any trouble with that,” he said, noting however that he is a hunter who owns a shotgun and is a strong believer of gun rights. “I have a respect for the 2nd Amendment … you have a right to bear arms.”

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann echoed Marx’s comments. “It’s clear that the status quo is clearly unacceptable,” he said. “But you have to find that balance.” While the rights of recreational gun users need to  be respected, he said, “these tragedies are happening much too frequently.”

Longtime congressional aide and political advocate Esther Kia’aina said “it is regrettable” that the election season has delayed Capitol Hill from dealing with gun control issues. “I hope that they make it a priority when Congress reconvenes in January.”

Financial investor Miles Shiratori called Aurora “a real tragedy” and said he cannot see how the gunman was able to accumulate as much firepower as he did. “I don’t know how got a hold of 6,000 rounds,” he said. “I believe we should establish a much tougher system.

Rafael Del Castillo, an attorney and health care advocate, said gun owners and the National Rifle Association need to brought into the discussion if nationwide legislation limiting gun magazine sizes is to pass. “One thing that I found is that gun owners are as much concerned about the problem as anybody.”

Earlier today, Hubert Williams, president of the Police Foundation and chairman of the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, announced his groups’ support for a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Lautenberg’s proposal to ban high capacity magazines was first introduced last year after the shooting of then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., in January 2011 but to date has not gained enough support to pass.

Tonight’s fast-paced, hour-long forum was the last of several televised debate for the candidates in the hotly contested 2nd District Democratic primary. It was the first to include lesser-known candidates Del Castillo and Shiratori.

The primary election is Aug. 11. The Second District’s incumbent, Rep. Mazie Hirono, is running for the Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.