Hawai‘i has become the first state in nation to enroll gun owners into a centralized information system.
Yesterday, Governor David Ige signed senate bill 2954 that authorizes county police departments to enroll firearm applicants and owners into a criminal record monitoring system.
The service is provided by the FBI and is better known as the “rap back system.” It alerts authorities when a gun owner is arrested for a criminal offense anywhere in the country. It will help law enforcement evaluate whether or not the individual can keep their weapon. Attorney General Doug Chin says the measure will help keep communities safer.
Gov. Ige also signed two additional acts that disqualify stalkers as well as people with significant behavioral or mental disorders from owning a firearm.
HB 625 specifies that harassment by stalking and sexual assault are among the offenses that disqualify a person from owning, possessing or controlling any firearm or ammunition.
HB 2632 requires firearms owners to surrender their firearms and ammunition to the Chief of Police if they have been disqualified from owning a firearm and ammunition for the following reasons: Diagnosis of significant behavioral, emotional, or mental disorder, or emergency or involuntary hospitalization to a psychiatric facility. This measure authorizes the Chief of Police to seize firearms and ammunition if a disqualified firearms owner fails to surrender the items after receiving written notice.