Drop in on bombs on guns, instead of dropping bombs and shooting guns. Photo: Zak Noyle
Guns are designed to kill things. Plain and simple. No one brushes their teeth with guns. And as for things they’re designed to kill, it’s one of two: animals or humans.
Hawaii made history this week, enacting a series of gun laws aimed at promoting public safety. It is the first state to act since the shooting in Orlando that killed 49 people. One key component of the legislation is the creation of a database of Hawaiian firearm owners. The “Rap Back” system will be operated by the FBI, and will alert authorities if a gun owner commits a crime anywhere in the United States–allowing officials to then assess whether that person may continue to legally possess a firearm. That’s a good thing. Here’s why.
Beyond the fact that criminals probably should have more difficulty, and jump through more hoops to own a gun, Hawaii has at least done something. That’s more than the federal government or any other state can say.
In the past, not even surfing has been immune to the status quo. It may not happen as frequently, but gun violence and mass casualties have touched us. Remember the terror threat at the U.S. Open? And while they occurred in Brazil, surely there are lessons to be learned from pro surfers witnessing someone gunned down near the Rio Pro, or the shooting of Ricardo Dos Santos that can be applied in our country.
Hawaii seems to think so.
In spite of its rough and tumble exterior in the surf world – enter Da Hui, or books that claim to be gripping tell-alls of debauchery and lawlessness – Hawaii has the lowest gun death rate in the nation. Experts argue it has to do with the state’s progressive attitude toward gun legislation.
It’s difficult to imagine that after Orlando and the immense list of similar events preceding it that any sane person would say the frequency of such shootings is an acceptable reality. Doing nothing will only insure this is the new normal, so, really, there are only two potential courses of action: act to facilitate gun ownership, or act to limit gun ownership.
There is no evidence to suggest that facilitating gun ownership across the board in any country reduces mass shootings or gun violence. There is, however, evidence to suggest limiting gun ownership results in less casualties.
Now, there is obviously a lot more nuance here. Gun control isn’t just legislating. And even if it were, deciding the size and types of guns to restrict and from whom is worthy of hours of debate. But to remove the nuance for a second, when a different result is desired, it requires different inputs. In this case, to eliminate gun violence something needs to change. And thus far, Hawaii is the only state to go out on a limb and tighten gun restrictions.
So maybe in addition to this law just being common sense for the state, it will inspire other states to do something, anything.
