HONOLULU — Today, the Hawaiʻi joint Senate committees on Consumer Protection and Judiciary, and joint Senate committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary advanced life-saving legislation to create a state office of gun violence prevention and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s secure storage laws. The measures now head to the Senate floor for consideration.
Here’s a snapshot of the gun safety legislation advanced to the Senate floor today:
- Require All Firearms to be Securely Stored (HB 125, Tarnas): legislation to require gun owners keep all firearms securely stored when not in use. The bill also requires firearm dealers to provide secure storage information with each gun sale or transfer.
- Create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention (HB 664, Kila): legislation to create a statewide office to support the state’s gun violence prevention goals at multiple stages – from gun violence data collection that can inform policymaking, to evaluating the implementation of existing laws, to administering grants for community violence intervention.
Local gun safety advocates volunteers submitted written testimony urging lawmakers to advance HB 125. Among the testimonies considered by lawmakers was a statement from Erica Yamauchi, who lives in the Kaimukī area and is a volunteer with Moms Demand Action. Erica wrote to lawmakers that: “Keeping guns securely stored at home is one of the most effective steps we can take to prevent unintentional shootings, youth gun violence and school shootings, as well as gun thefts.” Erica also shared her personal connection with gun violence, sharing how she lost a friend in high school when he gained access to an unsecured firearm at home.
Lawmakers also received testimonies for HB 664 from local Moms Demand Action volunteers who wrote to lawmakers that an Office of Gun Violence Prevention could be vital to ensure thorough implementation of the state’s gun laws and tackle the gun violence crisis with a holistic approach that saves lives.
Hawaiʻi has one of the lowest rates of gun deaths—and among the strongest gun laws—in the country. In an average year, 64 people die by guns. With a rate of 4.4 deaths per 100,000 people, Hawaiʻi has the 2nd-lowest rate of gun deaths in the US. Gun violence costs Hawaiʻi $901.4 million each year, of which $19.0 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Hawaiʻi is available here.
To speak to a local Moms Demand Action volunteer about gun safety and the legislation in consideration this session, please reach out to [email protected].