Everytown, Hawaii Moms Demand Action Applaud Senate Committee Vote in Favor of Legislation That Would Require State Law Enforcement Officials be Alerted When Criminals Break the Law and Try to Obtain Guns

HONOLULU – The Hawaii chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and the Committee on Government Operations for voting in favor of Senate Bill 1037, legislation that would make sure all relevant law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys are notified each time a person who is not allowed to have guns applies for a purchase permit and fails the background check – providing law enforcement with the information they need to arrest dangerous people before they can get a gun another way.

In Hawaii, it is illegal for a person who is prohibited from buying firearms to apply for a permit to acquire a firearm by lying about his prohibited status on the application form.

STATEMENT FROM BENNETT CALE, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE HAWAII CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“Today, we applaud our lawmakers for voting in favor of Senate Bill 1037 – legislation that will help protect public safety in Hawaii. Plain and simple: This bill is about enforcing the law. It’s simply unacceptable that when a dangerous person attempts to obtain a permit to buy guns – that information goes nowhere. This legislation would require law enforcement be notified when dangerous people try – and fail – to obtain a permit to purchase and could help prevent dangerous people from obtaining guns. We’re proud of our lawmakers for working to strengthen our gun laws and for standing up for the safety of our families and communities.”