Hawaii could be the first state to put gun owners into a federal database, according to The Blaze. A new bill introduced by Sen. Will Espero would require gun owners to be listed in a database that will notify police if a Hawaii resident is arrested in another state.
In other states, people in “positions of trust,” such as teachers and bus drivers, are entered into a database. However, no state has added gun owners to that list of monitored individuals until now.
Supporters of the bill said it would make Hawaii a leader in gun control laws.
However, responsible gun owners argue that possession of a firearm should not raise federal alarm.
Amy Hunter of the National Rifle Association said, “This is an extremely dangerous bill. Exercising a constitutional right is not inherently suspicious. Hawaii will now be treating firearms as suspect and subject to constant monitoring.”
The bill will undergo a review process by the Attorney General’s Office. If approved, Gov. David Ige can decide to sign it into law.
Publication date: May 25, 2016
