VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Surrounded by Hawaiʻi Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Volunteers, Governor Josh Green Signs Measure to Strengthen Concealed Carry Laws 

Throughout the Legislative Session, Moms Demand Action and Student Demand Action Volunteers Have been on the Forefront of Advocating for the Passage of this Bill, Testifying and Taking over 500 Actions to Contact Lawmakers 

HONOLULU —  Hawaiʻi Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after joining Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green as he signed  SB 1230, which strengthens the state’s concealed carry laws following the Supreme Court’s reckless decision in Bruen. The bill signing event kicks off this year’s Wear Orange weekend in Hawai’i which honors the lives of those affected by gun violence and elevates gun violence prevention efforts nationwide. 

“When the Supreme Court recklessly struck down part of a hundred-year-old gun safety law, Hawaiʻi lawmakers faced a choice—roll over or respond,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “By strengthening Hawaiʻi’s concealed carry law, lawmakers are addressing the dangerous situation created by the Court. We’re grateful to Governor Green and the Hawaiʻi legislature for taking swift action to keep our communities safe.”

“Last year the Supreme Court recklessly opened the floodgates for more guns in more places – but with today’s signing, Hawai’i has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting families from the threat of gun violence,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action. “This victory was not handed to us overnight – it was hard won thanks to the dedicated efforts of Moms Demand Action volunteers who testified and advocated throughout the entire process, leading to the passage of this critical bill. We are grateful to our gun sense champions in the legislature and to Governor Green for their unwavering leadership in making this possible.”

“Today marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect Hawaiʻi from the threat of gun violence,” said Rachel Logan, a volunteer with the Hawaiʻi Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “During the past summer, we witnessed the unfolding consequences of a Supreme Court ruling that sought to put more guns in places we all agree they simply shouldn’t be, from playgrounds to local businesses. Today, thanks to the steadfast support and unwavering commitment of our legislature and Governor Josh Green this bill becomes law. We look forward to continuing to work together to keep Hawai’i communities safe from gun violence.” 

This critical law updates and strengthens the portions of Hawaiʻi’s concealed carry permit law that were weakened by the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen decision. The new law requires that people carrying guns in public receive sufficient training, including specific training on topics including safe firearm handling, secure storage in vehicles, conflict management, and where firearms are not allowed to be carried in public. It also sets forth standards to prevent people who pose a risk of danger to themselves or others from getting a license to carry a gun in public. Finally, it addresses the potential dangers posed by an increased number of people carrying concealed firearms in the state, including by defining sensitive locations where guns aren’t allowed, such as schools, playgrounds, public transit and establishments that serve alcohol.

Hawaiʻi has some of the strongest gun laws in the country, and with a rate of 4.2 deaths per 100,000 people, has the 2nd-lowest rate of gun deaths in the U.S., in large part due to its common-sense gun safety policies. In an average year, 61 people die by guns. Each year, gun violence costs Hawaiʻi $901.4 million, $19 million of which is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Hawaiʻi is available here.