A bill to strengthen gun control has been introduced in the state legislature.
House Bill 984 prohibits the possession of firearms in certain places and requires disclosure of licenses to carry firearms.
In addition, it is prohibited to leave a firearm in the vehicle while the driver is not there, and it is prohibited to drink alcohol or take drugs while carrying a firearm.
House Bill 426 authorizes the State Department of Justice and county prosecutor’s offices to bring civil action if the gun industry violates firearms laws.
Assemblyman David Tanas, chairman of the House Judiciary and Hawaii Affairs Committee, described both bills as a solid body of work, suggesting that the House is working very hard on them.
On March 8, pro-gun residents gathered in front of the state government building to speak out in support of the legislature’s regulatory efforts.
At a press conference held at the State Capitol, Senator Carl Rose, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the federal court’s decision last year that New York’s gun laws were unconstitutional, calling it a “horrible case” and stressed that legislation would be considered to minimize the damage caused. did.
State Assemblyman Scott Matayoshi said he is committed to reducing gun violence as a single father.
Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke shared her concerns, referring to her son, who is attending the University of Memphis, and that she worries every day about being exposed to gun violence.
The number of gun violence incidents at universities has quadrupled in the past 10 years, she said, adding that Hawaii’s universities need to be safe places where students can grow up free from gun concerns.
In addition, while Hawaii ranks third in the nation in gun-related safety index, it points out that 55 people die from gun violence each year, which is an unacceptable number.