Gun Control

Gov. Josh Green has signed legislation that will allow more people to carry concealed firearms. At the same time, the measure prohibits people from taking guns to a wide range of places, including beaches, hospitals, stadiums, bars that serve alcohol and movie theaters.

Senate Bill 1230 is the state Legislature’s encompassing gun legislation measure, which would define where concealed carry firearms are not allowed and adds new provisions on concealed carry laws.

Starting May 1, the City and County of Honolulu's Bill 57 goes into effect, letting businesses choose if they will allow guns on their property with proper signage. The bill was signed into law by Mayor Rick Blangiardi on March 31.

Hawaiʻi residents across the state can carry a concealed gun on them in public, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last summer. But rules for obtaining a concealed carry permit vary county by county, as do the restrictions on where those guns can go. Guest host Yunji de Nies led a round table about the topic.

Senate Bill 1230 passed out of the House Finance Committee on Thursday as the Legislature’s encompassing concealed carry and sensitive places bill that outlines how firearms may be acquired and where they can be taken.

The broadly-defined places include most city-owned areas, schools and child care facilities, public parks, public transportation, businesses serving alcohol, and within 100 feet of most public gatherings. The bill also lets businesses choose if they will allow guns on their property with proper signage. HPR's Sabrina Bodon has more.

Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi outlines his plans for two major issues — a new landfill and staffing shortages; Contributing Editor Neal Milner highlights varying results of gun control laws; HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote examines bills funding the fight against invasive species; Professional musicians in tandem with UH students prepare for a series of contemporary Korean concerts

State lawmakers are considering several measures dealing with guns in public and on private property. Those include bills recognizing "sensitive places" — creating a statewide law on where firearms are or are not allowed. HPR’s Sabrina Bodon reports on the efforts.

All four county police departments in Hawaiʻi are officially processing and signing concealed carry weapons licenses. The Honolulu Police Department was the last to begin issuing permits.

Local governments across the country are discussing laws to establish “sensitive places,” where concealed firearms are not allowed. One bill has already passed through the Hawaiʻi County Council, and a similar bill was introduced at the Honolulu City Council.