She definitely blames the gun
HB-31
Submitted on: 3/29/2021 4:20:40 PM Testimony for JDC on 3/30/2021 9:45:00 AM
Submitted By Organization
Testifier Position
Present at Hearing
No
Andrea Ilima DeCosta Individual Oppose
Comments:
Aloha and mahalo for allowing me the opportunity to submit this testimony regarding HB-31, which would require owners of firearms to safely store their firearms when anyone in the home is age 18 or younger.
On November 5, 2015, my adult daughter, Elizabeth, was found dead in her bathroom - she had been shot in the back of the head with her military spouse’s loaded and unlocked gun.
Raising the age of safe storage from 16 to 18 years of age would not have saved Elizabeth’s life.
Instead of laws targeting persons of a certain age, as a survivor of gun violence, I propose that a mandatory safe storage law for gun owners - regardless of age - as well as mandatory gun owner education and a gun owner liability law would do more to prevent access to lethal means and accidental deaths.
An owner of a firearm who knows that they can be held criminally and civilly liable for their failure to properly store their firearms would be more likely to take steps to secure their firearm(s) and mitigate their own liability.
It’s time to respect responsible gun owners and hold those who are negligent or irresponsible with their firearm(s) liable for their actions. Mahalo.
P.S. Zippz/HIFICO and the Public Defenders Office had some good testimony on this bill
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2021/testimony/HB31_TESTIMONY_JDC_03-30-21_.PDF