| According to the Violence Policy Center (VPC), The | | | | • Persons who wish to purchase firearms must |
| Aloha state has fewer deaths by gunfire per 100,000 | | | | apply for a permit from the county chief of police, |
| residents than any other state. The VPC attributes | | | | who "enforces the federal purchaser prohibitions." |
| this to a no-nonsense attitude by state officials | | | | Then 14 days later the purchaser can pick up the |
| concerning the purchase, registration, licensing, | | | | gun. |
| transportation and use of all types of firearms. | | | | • Magazines of 10 rounds or more are banned. |
| VPC statistics show that in Hawaii, household gun | | | | • Assault rifles and assault pistols are banned. |
| ownership is estimated at 9.7 percent, lower than | | | | • No person shall be issued a permit for the |
| any other state. The reduced number of guns | | | | acquisition of a pistol or revolver unless the person |
| translates directly into a gunfire death rate of only | | | | has completed a six-hour firearms safety training |
| 2.2 per 100,000 residents. Stated differently, fewer | | | | course. |
| guns on the street mean fewer people being killed by | | | | • All firearms and ammunition must be registered |
| gunfire every year. | | | | with the chief of police of the county where the gun |
| This conclusion is contrary to the position of the | | | | owner resides. |
| National Rifle Association (NRA) which has for years | | | | • It is unlawful to possess or carry a loaded |
| contended that more, not fewer, guns should be in | | | | firearm on any public highway without a permit to |
| circulation to "ensure the safety of law-abiding | | | | carry. |
| citizens." | | | | • When firearms are sold, even privately, the |
| The most dangerous state is Louisiana, where an | | | | transferor is required to provide the name of the |
| estimated 45.6 percent of households have at least | | | | person to whom the firearm was transferred and a |
| one firearm. The death rate there per 100,000 is an | | | | description of the firearm to the chief of police via |
| astounding 19.04-almost ten times higher than the | | | | registered mail within 48 hours. |
| rate in Hawaii. Other states with high rates of gun | | | | • A gun owner is guilty of "criminally negligent |
| ownership and corresponding high gunfire death rates | | | | storage of a firearm" if he or she keeps it where a |
| include Alaska, Montana, Tennessee and Alabama. | | | | minor is likely to have access to it. |
| Virginia (my state) ranks somewhere near the middle, | | | | • All gun licenses must be renewed annually. |
| with a household firearm ownership rate of 35.9 | | | | • During a national emergency, all firearms held |
| percent, and a gunfire death rate of 11.7 per 100,000. | | | | by dealers may be seized and held in possession by |
| Still, that is five times more than the islands that | | | | the state. |
| make up the state of Hawaii. | | | | When asked about the VPA report and |
| Rules concerning firearms in Hawaii are strict. | | | | accompanying statistics, Maxwell Cooper, legislative |
| According to the Legal Community Against Violence | | | | co-chairman for the Hawaii Rifle Association (loosely |
| (LCAV), they include: | | | | affiliated with the NRA), told the Honolulu |
| • No person may carry a concealed or | | | | Star-Bulletin, "I think that VPC has juggled the |
| unconcealed pistol or revolver without a license to do | | | | statistics to support themselves." He added that, in |
| so; however, permits for concealed weapons are | | | | his opinion, "Strict laws have no relationship to criminal |
| rarely approved. | | | | abuse of firearms because criminals don't respond to |
| • Hawaii has no provisions allowing concealed | | | | laws." |
| weapons permit holders from other states to carry | | | | Still, visitors to Hawaii as well as residents have little |
| concealed firearms. This includes police officers from | | | | to fear from gun violence. Thoughtful citizens can |
| other states who are in Hawaii on official business. | | | | attribute that to whatever they wish. |