Council considers sensitive places bill at special meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 10, 2022
Council considers sensitive places bill at special meeting
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I — Due to the recent Supreme Court Decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen (“Bruen”), the Honolulu City Council will consider the Mayor’s proposed legislation to create sensitive places where firearms will be restricted.
Bruen expanded gun owners’ right to carry firearms outside the home. The high court’s ruling invalidated a 170-year-old law in Hawai‘i that required firearms permit applicants to prove a special need to carry a concealed gun on their person. As such, the Honolulu City Council will convene a special meeting to take local action for local residents.
“This is one of the most crucial issues of our time. We want to ensure the safety of our keiki, kūpuna, and all residents, while upholding the legal rights of our citizens,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. “It is vitally important that we gather as a community to discuss this policy for O‘ahu with one another. Because we know this is such an important issue and want to make sure that all community members can be heard, we are scheduling this for a special meeting. I encourage all of our residents to submit their testimony in writing or orally.”
The Mayor’s proposed legislation seeks to create “sensitive places” where guns will not be allowed. The Mayor has just approved HPD’s rules related to carrying firearms on Oʻahu, and this bill will address those places where carrying firearms is restricted. This will be the Council’s first reading of this bill and as with all bills, will be followed by further committee and full Council action with public input welcomed each step of the way.
WHO: Honolulu City Council
WHAT: Bill 57 (2022) Relating to Public Carry of Firearms
WHEN: 10 a.m. Nov. 29, 2022
WHERE: Honolulu City Council Chamber, Honolulu Hale
WHY: Transparent policy-making amid public engagement relating to firearms
HOW: Attend in person; watch/record the proceedings live on honolulucitycouncil.org or via ‘Ōlelo Community Media Channel 54.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit written testimony and/or to register to provide live, oral testimony here.