Hawaii Joins Washington and Tennessee in Passing Laws to Help Law Enforcement Catch People With Dangerous Histories Who Illegally Attempt to Buy Guns
House Bill 459 Will Strengthen the Background Check System in Hawaii by Giving Law Enforcement More Tools to Keep Guns Away from People Who Are Not Allowed to Have Them
HONOLULU – The Hawaii chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today stood with Governor Ige as he signed House Bill 459, legislation that will make sure all relevant law enforcement officials and prosecuting attorneys are notified each time a person who is not allowed to have guns applies for a purchase permit and fails the background check – providing law enforcement with the information they need to arrest unlawful purchasers before they can get a gun another way.
Hawaii joins Washington and Tennessee as the third state to enact similar legislation to enforce laws already on the books, giving law enforcement the information they need to help prevent the next crime from happening – to keep families and communities safe.
STATEMENT FROM BENNETT CALE, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE HAWAII CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Today, we applaud Governor Ige for signing House Bill 459 into law. This legislation will help protect public safety in Hawaii by enforcing current law and giving law enforcement the tools they need to prevent gun violence. Currently, when a person who’s not allowed to have guns, such as a convicted felon or domestic abuser, attempts to obtain a permit to buy a gun but is stopped by a background check, that information may go nowhere – allowing that person the time to get a gun somewhere else. House Bill 459 would require law enforcement be notified when unlawful purchasers try – and fail – to obtain a permit to purchase a gun. The simple steps enforced by HB 459 will help prevent the gun violence that kills more than 90 Americans and injures hundreds every day. We’re proud of the Hawaii legislature and Governor Ige for taking action to prevent gun violence in Hawaii and enacting House Bill 459.”