Honolulu City Council Passes Bill Banning Guns From Schools, Hospitals, And 11 Other “Sensitive Places”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2023
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 57 (2022) today, restricting the public carry of firearms in certain places, including schools, hospitals, and polling places.
Bill 57 was drafted in response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling - N.Y. State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen (“Bruen”) - in which gun regulations were broadly relaxed. The Bruen decision struck down a New York law requiring concealed carry applicants to show “proper cause” to carry a handgun in public. Consequently, the public carry of firearms was allowed throughout the United States, including Honolulu. In response, the Honolulu Police Department amended its rules to provide for concealed carry permits in accordance with the Supreme Court decision. Due to individuals being able to concealed carry, the Honolulu City Council enacted Bill 57 to designate sensitive places where gun carry is restricted.
“Hawaiʻi historically has had low rates of gun violence, and we need to keep it that way,” said Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Chair of the Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs. “Over the course of five hearings, we listened to the public and identified what we as a community would consider to be ‘sensitive places,’ like schools and hospitals. We also worked to make clear rules that the licensees could follow. Bill 57 is a step toward keeping our island home safe from the violence and tragedies we see on the mainland.”
Bill 57 designates thirteen (13) sensitive places in which the carry of firearms is prohibited: City-owned buildings; State and federally-owned buildings; schools and child care facilities; public parks; shelters, including homeless and domestic violence shelters; places frequented by children, including the Waikīkī Aquarium; polling places; public transit; businesses that serve alcohol; large public gatherings, including protests; concert venues; cannabis dispensaries; and hospitals.
The bill also requires that in any interaction with a law enforcement officer, persons carrying a firearm have a duty to inform law enforcement officers that they are currently carrying and present their license.
“As a City Council, our kuleana is health and safety, and passing Bill 57 today was crucial to ensure the safety of our communities,” said Council Chair Tommy Waters. “While the Legislature is at its halfway mark in Session, we cannot wait for them to act. There is no certainty that any State bills will pass, and even if one does, the counties are still able to legislate to protect their residents. With approximately 55 already issued by the Honolulu Police Department, and over 800 applications pending, establishing ‘sensitive spaces’ is paramount. This is an issue of public safety, and I appreciate the hard work this body has demonstrated to fulfill our kuleana and uphold the safety and well-being of our residents.”
A poll conducted by Ward Research found strong public support in Hawaiʻi for the restriction of public carry in certain sensitive places. The bill also received strong support from a number of Hawaiʻi organizations, including the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and the Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
If signed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Bill 57 would be effective on May 1, 2023.
Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters represents District 4, which includes Hawaiʻi Kai, Kuliʻouʻou, Niu Valley, ʻĀina Haina, Wailupe, Wai‘alae Iki, Kalani Valley, Kāhala, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī, portions of Kapahulu, Diamond Head, Black Point, Waikīkī and Ala Moana Beach Park.
Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam represents City Council District 6, which spans from Kakaʻako to Kalihi, and includes portions of Kakaʻako, Chinatown, Downtown, Punchbowl, Papakōlea, Pauoa Valley, Nu‘uanu, Iwilei, Liliha, ‘Ālewa Heights, Kalihi and Kalihi Valley.
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