Gun safety, concealed carry permits highlighted in West Oahu town hall

KAPOLEI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Amid a recent rash of violent crimes, more West Oahu families worried about violence are wondering if it’s time to get a gun.

Hawaii’s state lawmaker Rep. Diamond Garcia, who represents portions of Varona Village, Ewa and Kapolei, brought police and residents together to talk about self-defense at a town hall meeting at Honouliuli Middle School Tuesday night.

Unlike other town halls on crime, this one taught residents about their right to conceal a firearm and how to apply for a permit.

Garcia said residents have flooded his office with calls asking for information to apply for a license to carry.

“We want to make sure that people understand what it means to be a responsible gun owner,” Garcia said.

From December last year to this past August, HPD approved over 400 concealed carry permits

Corp. Roland Pagan of HPD’s District 8 Community Policing said it’s important to get the word out to the communities about gun safety.

“You know, getting a gun because people have guns is not always the safest idea,” said Pagan explained. “Every time you bring a gun to a fight, you’re the one that’s going to have a firearm there, even if the other person doesn’t have one, so it’s always a concern when there’s guns out there.”

Three weeks ago at the Kapolei Skate Park a 19-year-old was nearly stabbed to death, and a man with a knife robbed a 64-year-old man.

And in early October, a man’s neck was slashed at a restaurant in Ka Makana Alii.

“That is very alarming,” said Iwalani Laybon McBrayer, President of Kaupea Homestead Association. “You don’t feel safe with your children like we used to 16 years ago.”

McBrayer and her neighborhood security watch group are hoping to get firearm training from either HPD or a private security company.

“Having a gun doesn’t make you safe. You have to know how to carry it and maintain it, and these are the things that we as women are looking and seeking to learn to protect ourselves right now in today’s society,” McBrayer explained.

Kapolei resident Larry Partida has two licenses to carry.

“I think it’s important that people understand that just because you have a license to carry does not give them the supernatural police powers to detain and enforce the law,” said Partida.

“It should be used primarily for protection of family.”

Partida says he wants to see lawbreakers held more accountable.

“At least on the community side, we’re not seeing follow through in terms of accountability, like sentences,” said Partida.

Rep. Garcia said rather than making “stricter” gun laws the state should enforce more penalties for those who break the law.

“You can pass all the laws you want, criminals don’t follow the law,” said Garcia. “What we need is stricter penalties for those who are using illegal firearms here.”

For any questions, you can call HPD’s Firearms Division at 808-723-3188.