Submitted via recoverynavigator.hawaii.gov —>
Hello - as an supporter of the 2nd Amendment and the shooting sports, I humbly urge Mayor Caldwell, Governor Ige, and the City and County of Honolulu to re-open Koko Head Shooting Complex. Upon the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, gun stores across the country were suddenly flooded with prospective buyers looking to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights and purchase firearms. Subsequently, the Federal government and President Trump have deemed gun stores ‘essential businesses’ to remain open during the Covid-19 pandemic. Even Honolulu saw a spike in firearms purchases and registration in preparation for the later stages of the pandemic and the potential need personal protection and self-defense.
Unfortunately, due to the lockdowns, many public facilities, including Koko Head Shooting Complex, were forced to close. This is a severe problem as the thousands of new gun owners are now unable to perform simple yet necessary safety checks on their newly-acquired firearms, including proper function, ammo compatibility, accuracy, and most importantly proper instruction on the safe handling and operation of the firearm under the supervision of qualified range instructors, range safety officers, or well experienced friends and family. I do realize that there are a couple of private indoor ranges, but unfortunately the cost to access these facilities is often cost-prohibitive for many individuals, and Koko Head Shooting Complex was the only place on Oahu where they could safely practice with and handle firearms. Without proper instruction/training, the now-armed individual runs a greater risk of accidental discharge and not being able to neutralize the threat should the need arise, and please forgive my bluntness, but allowing an ill-intentioned criminal to threaten my life or property is not an option.
As these legally-acquired firearms and likely ammunition are now in hundreds of thousands of households, the only viable option that does not infringe on any individuals civil liberties is to re-open the Complex. Many in the firearms community have been in long web-based public discussions regarding enacting safety measures at the range, including social distancing between patrons, having hand sanitizer available at all shooting bays, and limiting the number of shooters per session. As target shooting is an individual sport, interaction between individuals is already at a minimum. As patrons check-in with each range session, any potential spread of Covid-19 can be more easily traced from range logs.
Many in the firearms community are ready, willing, and able to assist in minimizing the spread of Covid-19, but are frustrated by the lack of progress in the re-opening of Koko Head Shooting Complex and being unable to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights. Once again, I humbly request our elected officials to re-open Koko Head Shooting Complex.
I request an acknowledgement and response to my request at your earliest convenience.
Thank you.