If enacted, SB11 will necessitate revisions to Section 134-2 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which governs gun permits. This amendment will require that the background check for prospective gun owners includes a query to the Terrorist Screening Center. Proponents of the bill assert that by filtering out individuals who are regarded as possible threats to public safety, the state can better protect its citizens from potential gun violence.
Summary
Senate Bill 11 aims to enhance the background check process for gun permits in Hawaii by integrating a notification requirement to the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center. This initiative stems from the findings that individuals listed on the Terrorist Screening Database have attempted to purchase firearms numerous times, raising significant public safety concerns. The bill responds to these issues by ensuring that the presence of an applicant on the watchlist is taken into account during the gun permit application process, potentially restricting firearms access to those deemed risky based on this database.
Contention
While the bill is seen as a necessary step for public safety by its supporters, there are concerns regarding its implications for individual rights and due process. Critics may argue that simply being on the watchlist does not equate to criminal behavior and that the legislation may unfairly target innocent individuals who are wrongfully included on such lists. Furthermore, the practicality of implementing such checks and their effectiveness in preventing gun violence has been debated among lawmakers and advocacy groups.