Honolulu City Council To Take Up Restricting Guns In ‘Sensitive Places’
The City Council is scheduled to hold a special meeting Nov. 29 to hear a bill that would restrict weapons from being carried in schools and other public places.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed revised concealed carry gun permit rules last week that will allow permitted applicants on Oahu to carry guns in public places.
But the mayor also wants to place restrictions on certain sensitive places including聽schools, government buildings, parks and on public transportation and聽has asked the that would make it illegal to have concealed guns in those areas.
Now that the revised rules have been approved, the Honolulu Police Department is expected to begin issuing permits soon to the some 575 applicants on the waiting list that qualify.
The City Council has scheduled a first reading of the bill for 10 a.m. Nov. 29 in the council chambers at Honolulu Hale. The proceedings will be broadcast live on honolulucitycouncil.org or via Olelo Community Media Channel 54.
will be accepted on the measure.
Sensitive places has become an issue nationwide after a recent聽U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that a concealed-carry weapons law was unconstitutional. The ruling expanded gun owners鈥 right to carry firearms outside the home
Permits for people to carry concealed weapons are already being issued in Maui, Kauai and Hawaii counties. The Hawaii County Council is also considering a sensitive places bill and state lawmakers are considering introducing legislation next session to restrict where concealed guns can be carried.
鈥淭his is one of the most crucial issues of our time. We want to ensure the safety of our keiki, kupuna, and all residents, while upholding the legal rights of our citizens,鈥 Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters said in a press release. 鈥淚t is vitally important that we gather as a community to discuss this policy for Oahu with one another.鈥
