HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan signed the County’s very first license to carry a concealed firearm in Honolulu County, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
Gun advocates said it’s about time.
Andrew Namiki Roberts, Hawaii Firearms Coalition said, “It’s taken way too long to get here, though, you know, we’re looking at six months already if they had a drag that out much longer than this. That would have been devastating. I mean you know, the supreme court’s ruled that we have a right to bear arms for self-defense, and it shouldn’t take this long to get them.”
Namiki said now that HPD is issuing licenses, he is predicting that there will be a big increase in applications.
“I’m glad to hear they are going out,” said Kekai.
Kekai is one of more than 600 people who applied for a license with HPD. Though he said his application was denied, he said this gives him hope.
“If more people can get it, I feel that it’s a big win for us.”
Honolulu is one of the last counties in the state to approve a concealed carry permit. Maui was the first to issue a license in August-since then, they’ve issued at least 18. Hawaii County leads the pack with more than 89 licenses issued. And Kauai issued its first open carry license in November, but KPD has not confirmed if they’ve issued any concealed carry yet.
Roberts said this is just the beginning, predicting a surge of applications in Honolulu.
“I can see dozens, if not hundreds of people applying over the next few days. And if we go with what the national average is, it’s going to be thousands of people applying every month.”
Not everyone is excited about the news. Gun control advocate Sen. Chris Lee has concerns.
“We have an obligation, both the counties and the state, to figure out what this means going forward and how we can create a process that is actually functional,” Lee explained. “Especially one that protects the public.”
One such process is still in the works. Bill 57, originally proposed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, would designate certain areas, considered sensitive, off-limits to concealed carry. The bill passed its first reading in late November by Honolulu City Council but it still has a ways to go before it would become law.
808 Gun Club owner Tom Tomimbang is glad to see the concealed carry process moving forward but has a message to share.
“With great power comes great responsibility and everyone should take head of that when getting this license if you’re approved,” Tomimbang said. “Using deadly force should be the last resort, the last option.”
This application includes a firearm registration, a medical and mental health waiver, a valid ID and completion of a four-hour training course.
Click here for information about the concealed carry application process
