Honolulu Mayor Proposes Prohibiting Firearms in Certain Public Spaces

Strategic Insights -

As the city prepares to allow citizens to carry guns in public, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is urging the Honolulu City Council to adopt a draft ordinance banning firearms in schools, government buildings, parks, voting locations, and public transportation. The proposed measure, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, aims to reduce confusion and confrontations in public spaces. The city's police department is already hosting a public hearing to consider draft rules guiding the issuance of firearm permits and licenses.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Honolulu City Council is considering a draft ordinance proposed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi that prohibits firearms in schools, government buildings, parks, voting locations, and public transportation.
  • The proposed measure is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, which requires the city to allow public carrying of firearms.
  • Over 400 applications to carry a gun in public are currently pending approval by Honolulu police Chief Arthur "Joe" Logan.
  • The city's police department is hosting a public hearing to consider draft rules guiding the issuance of firearm permits and licenses.
  • Mayor Blangiardi is asking the City Council to adopt a default rule that bans guns in private businesses and charitable organizations, but allows property owners to decide whether to allow guns on their premises.
  • The city wants to maintain one of the lowest gun-violence rates in the country, which it has achieved despite restricting public carrying of firearms for nearly 170 years.

Statistics:

  • 400: The number of applications to carry a gun in public awaiting approval by Honolulu police Chief Arthur "Joe" Logan.
  • 170 years: The length of time Hawaii has restricted public carrying of firearms, resulting in one of the lowest gun-violence rates in the country.
  • 10 a.m.: The time when the Honolulu police department's public hearing on draft rules guiding the issuance of firearm permits and licenses is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

Sources:

  • [1] The Honolulu Star-Advertiser: "Honolulu mayor proposes gun ban in schools, government buildings"
  • [2] Tribune Content Agency: "Honolulu Mayor Proposes Prohibiting Firearms in Certain Public Spaces"