City Council approves bill to create gun-free ‘sensitive areas’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The City Council on Wednesday approved a measure that would prohibit people from carrying firearms into “sensitive locations,” including schools, hospitals and polling places.

The measure is a response to a Supreme Court decision that expanded gun rights.

Following the ruling, the HPD chief received hundreds of confidential requests and accepted 38.

A bill approved by the City Council on Wednesday would establish places where concealed weapons are not allowed — even under the Supreme Court’s broader interpretation.

The full list includes:

• Buildings owned by the city;
• State and federal buildings;
• schools and child care institutions; public parks;
• Shelters, including homeless and domestic violence shelters;
• Places visited by children include the Waikiki Aquarium;
• Election places;
• Public transit;
• Enterprises that serve alcohol;
• Large public gatherings, including protests;
• Concert fields;
• Cannabis dispensaries;
• And hospitals.

The bill also states that persons in possession of firearms are required to report any encounter with a law enforcement officer.

“As a City Council, our priority is health and safety, and passing Bill 57 today was critical to ensuring the safety of our communities,” Council President Tommy Waters said in a news release.

‘One set of rules’: Counties look to state lawmakers for uniformity on firearms

“Although the Legislature is halfway through, we can’t wait for them to act. There is no certainty that any state laws will pass, and even if they do, counties will be able to pass laws to protect their residents. .”

The measure will now go to the mayor’s desk. If he signs it, the bill will take effect on May 1.

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