House Bill 459 Seeks to 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 applauded lawmakers in the Senate and House for passing House Bill 459, legislation that would make sure all relevant law enforcement 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.
The bill now moves to Governor Ige’s desk.
STATEMENT FROM BENNETT CALE, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE HAWAII CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Today, we applaud our lawmakers for passing House Bill 459 – legislation that will help protect public safety in Hawaii by enforcing the law. Currently, when a person who’s not allowed to have guns attempts to obtain a permit to buy a gun but is stopped by a background check, that information may go nowhere. House Bill 459 would require law enforcement be notified when unlawful purchasers try – and fail – to obtain a permit to purchase a gun. This simple step could help law enforcement prevent convicted felons and domestic abusers from obtaining guns. We’re proud of our leaders voting to close this dangerous loophole in our state’s gun laws and urge Governor Ige to sign it into law.”