HONOLULU — Today, the Hawai’i chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement applauding Honolulu City’s Council for passing an ordinance outlining where firearms can be carried in public. This action comes in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s reckless ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, invalidating a critical part of Hawaiʻi’s laws limiting who can carry concealed firearms in public. Today’s action defines sensitive locations in Honolulu and would address the potential dangers posed by an increased number of people carrying concealed firearms, including places where guns aren’t allowed, such as schools, parks, public transit, and establishments that serve alcohol.
“As we await action from our state legislators, this ordinance gives local residents peace of mind as it ensures that firearms are kept out of places they don’t belong,” said April Ching, a volunteer with the Hawai’i Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “The Supreme Court’s Bruen decision opened up the floodgates for the possibility that more people will be carrying more guns all around Hawai’i, but today our Council is sending a message to protect local families and ensure we keep guns out of everyday life. We are proud to stand with our leaders today, and look forward to continuing to work together to protect all Honolulu families.”
This critical ordinance will provide protective measures that are essential for public safety after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision. The Bruen decision struck down an important provision of New York State’s concealed carry permitting law that required an individual to prove they had “proper cause” to carry concealed firearms in public. In doing so, it also invalidated a similar Hawai’i state law – lowering the bar for those who can carry a gun in public.
This month, Everytown for Gun Safety unveiled polling that found that almost all respondents, including a majority of gun owners, support stricter rules on who is eligible for a permit to carry a gun outside the home. More than 75% of Hawai’i residents support prohibiting guns in businesses open to the public like restaurants, hotels and shopping malls, and crowded venues like stadiums and concert halls. 90% of Hawai’i residents support prohibiting concealed carry of firearms in K-12 schools and playgrounds, establishments where alcohol is served, and government buildings such as courts and libraries.
Hawaii has some of the strongest gun laws in the country and leads the nation with the lowest rate of gun deaths a year, in large part due to its common-sense gun safety policies. In an average year, 61 people die by guns. With a rate of 4.2 deaths per 100,000 people, Hawaii has the 2nd-lowest rate of gun deaths in the US. Each year, gun violence costs Hawaii $901.4 million, $19 million of which is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Hawaii is available here.
If you have questions, or to request an interview with a volunteer from Hawaii Moms Demand Action about advocacy and gun violence prevention in the state, please reach out to [email protected].
