Hawaii Creates Federal Database for Gun Owners
Hawaii signed a bill to become the first state to enter gun owners into an FBI database that will automatically notify police if an island resident is arrested anywhere else in the country.
The system, also known as the “Rap Back” system, is a service of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that provides continuous criminal record monitoring for authorized government agencies such as law enforcement agencies, said the Governor's office. The service notifies the agencies when a firearm owner is arrested for a criminal offense anywhere in the country. This will allow county police departments in Hawaii to evaluate whether the firearm owner may continue to legally possess and own firearms. The law also authorizes the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to access firearm registration data.
“This is about our community’s safety and responsible gun ownership. This system will better enable our law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of all Hawai‘i residents and visitors to our islands. This bill has undergone a rigorous legal review process by our Attorney General’s office and we have determined that it is our responsibility to approve this measure for the sake of our children and families,” said Gov. David Ige.
Most people entered in the "Rap Back” database, are in “positions of trust,” the Governor's office said, such as school teachers and bus drivers. Hawaii is the first to add gun owners.
Governor Ige also signed a measure that gives police the power to seize firearms and ammunition if the homeowner has been disqualified because of mental problems.
