Hawaii Concealed Carry Firearm Permit Initiative
by Chris Baker, www.hawaiiccw.com
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” This quote of the Second Amendment, until recent times, had little meaning to many states within the United States. That is until a legal case, challenging the handgun ban in the District of Columbia, was brought to the Supreme Court of the United States.
In 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Heller v. District of Columbia that the possession of a firearm, for the purpose of self-defense, was an individual right found within the Second Amendment to the U.S. constitution. Following Heller, on June 28th, 2010, the Supreme Court decided on another case which challenged the Chicago gun ban; this ban was also ruled unconstitutional, and the decision affirmed that the Second Amendment applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. The right to keep and bear arms was also determined to be a fundamental constitutional right, putting it on par with the freedom of speech and religion. Therefore, citizens of our state should be authorized to exercise this right, safely and responsibly in all non-sensitive places.
The City and County of Honolulu have consistently restricted and continue to burden the right to keep and bear arms, especially in non-sensitive public places. For a timeline exceeding fifteen years, no citizen has been allowed to carry a firearm to defend themselves or their family. Many citizens have fallen victim to this violation of their constitutional rights, some paying the ultimate price.
Additionally, many believe that Hawaii businesses are afforded more protection than most citizens. By carrying a loaded and openly displayed firearm, many banks and other business are authorized to protect their assets out in public. These assets are commonly serialized and documented ensuring that they can be replaced and tracked. Most of the time these assets are also insured by either government agencies or private companies — protecting the company from any real loss; yet they are still authorized to carry weapons, because it deters criminals. Your children and family, however, are not serialized; your children and family are not insured by the government, nor can your child, family member, or friend be replaced.
Lastly, in an effort to change these broken laws, a local group, Hawaii Concealed Carry, was formed in 2010 to promote the safe and responsible bearing of firearms, for the purpose of self-defense. They are based on Oahu, and are working to assist all Hawaiian islands in the restoration and exercise of their fundamental right to keep and bear arms. Hawaii residents are encouraged to exercise their fundamental right by applying to their local City and County Police departments for a permit to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, for the purpose of protecting yourself and your family.
All downloads are available here: Concealed Carry Guide (PDF)
Information on applying for your Hawaii concealed or open carry permit can be found at www.hawaiiccw.com