Hawaii Concealed Carry          http://hawaiiccw.com
Permit Initiative

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” This quote of the Second Amendment, until recent times, had little meaning to many states within the United States. That is until a legal case, challenging the handgun ban in the District of Columbia, was brought to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Heller v. District of Columbia that the possession of a firearm, for the purpose of self-defense, was an individual right found within the Second Amendment to the U.S. constitution. Following Heller, on June 28th, 2010, the Supreme Court decided on another case which challenged the Chicago gun ban; this ban was also ruled unconstitutional, and the decision affirmed that the Second Amendment applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. The right to keep and bear arms was also determined to be a fundamental constitutional right, putting it on par with the freedom of speech and religion. Therefore, citizens of our state should be authorized to exercise this right, safely and responsibly in all non-sensitive places.

The City and County of Honolulu have consistently restricted and continue to burden the right to keep and bear arms, especially in non-sensitive public places. For a timeline exceeding fifteen years, no citizen has been allowed to carry a firearm to defend themselves or their family. Many citizens have fallen victim to this violation of their constitutional rights, some paying the ultimate price.

Additionally, many believe that Hawaii businesses are afforded more protection than most citizens. By carrying a loaded and openly displayed firearm, many banks and other business are authorized to protect their assets out in public. These assets are commonly serialized and documented ensuring that they can be replaced and tracked. Most of the time these assets are also insured by either government agencies or private companies -- protecting the company from any real loss; yet they are still authorized to carry weapons, because it deters criminals. Your children and family, however, are not serialized; your children and family are not insured by the government, nor can your child, family member, or friend be replaced.

Lastly, in an effort to change these broken laws, a local group, Hawaii Concealed Carry, was formed in 2010 to promote the safe and responsible bearing of firearms, for the purpose of self-defense. They are based on Oahu, and are working to assist all Hawaiian islands in the restoration and exercise of their fundamental right to keep and bear arms. Hawaii residents are encouraged to exercise their fundamental right by applying to their local City and County Police departments for a permit to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, for the purpose of protecting yourself and your family
Information on applying for your Hawaii concealed or open carry permit can be found at www.hawaiiccw.com.

Aloha,
Christopher Baker
www.hawaiiccw.com

Downloads available here: http://hawaiiccw.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/CCW-Request-Guide.pdf

Yes! This is what I've been waiting for! My letter is all done...

I have duty the next 2 days, but I will be there on Friday with my application, $19.25, and notebook in hand.

Chris, I was thinking about putting together an information packet with a CCW application template (already addressed to the Chief of Police and the different "blocks" of information delineated...i.e., "1) General Background:" followed by some blank space for people to fill in; "2) Demonstration of Moral Character:", "3)Qualifications and Training:", "4) Reason(s) for Request:".), and instructions on filling out the application, and a 2aH sticker (of course). We could hand these out at Koko Head and gun shops this weekend and try to get as many applicants as possible.

What are your thoughts on this?

- Alex

My letter was done with a specific design and purpose.  Unless someone has a really crazy reason, I don't think they will approve anyone regardless of the format.

 That doesn't mean its not a fantastic idea! If someone can print out 50-60 of these and a gun store will pass them out we would certainly appreciate it. We need as large a pool as possible.

I concur that no one should expect to get approved. I just copied your format (not content) when I put together my letter because it was very well done.

I will go ahead and put together the packet tomorrow and print out a bunch that I can pass out at a couple of the gun shops (other than OGC...since Carter is on here, he can print out his own!  ). I will also make electronic copies of everything available to anyone who is interested if they want to go ahead and print out some as well and pass them around at KHSC, gun shops nearby, and to friends.

- Alex

Thanks Alex!  Yeah if OGC and the other shops could pass out some info it will be beneficial. Even if they don't do it to support "us" if they pass it out to support themselves in the future it's a win-win situation.

Great move Chris. So this is officially being supported by the HRA?

Great move Chris. So this is officially being supported by the HRA?

I can't say for HRA if they are 'officially' supporting me saying to get permits. I was told by HiCarry the NRA think's its a good idea, and said I would get the word out -- he said he would too.. I just beat him to the punch =).  If I am mistaken I am sure HiCarry will tell me, and I will change it.
Regardless, HCCW can still use more plaintiffs to expand the current pool.

  I think I beat them to the punch putting this out based off some conversations between some of the NRA reps and HRA.

This is just our first step, it helps to have more then one available plaintiff and ensure that they can't say "well, no one applied!"

Great news.

Can you give a step-by-step of what I should expect?

Just walk up to the window and tell them I want to apply for a CCP?

Is there a mail in option?


BTW I drove all the way to Young Guns today and I saw a flyer there about rising up about the KHSC new hours. Dunno if it's their own flyer or someone else's but a good sign anyway.

If I get word that HRA is behind this action, it will be included in the December issue of the Hawaii Rifleman.  To date, I've not heard anything from the other board members about this.

If I get word that HRA is behind this action, it will be included in the December issue of the Hawaii Rifleman.  To date, I've not heard anything from the other board members about this.

This would be pretty hot off the press, mostly from the NRA luncheon and Friends of NRA Dinner from information and conversation between HiCarry, myself, Ms. Sandy Froman and Carolyn L. Herbertson.
Like I said I am not sure if it's officially endorsed by them. Their 'official' stance may be that they want to wait for the next legislative session; that may not be the stance of individual members though. That stance is certainly not mine. Currently, Hawaii Concealed Carry and it's supporters are behind this action and request.
 

 

Like I said I am not sure if it's officially endorsed by them. Their 'official' stance may be that they want to wait for the next legislative session; that may not be the stance of individual members though.

Then might I observe, without intending to offer offense, that in the initial post and the highlighted box currently on the forum home page, that you have spoken on behalf of the HRA?  I'm sure you are simply excited and eager to get the ball moving. 

Hrm... not sure why that post didn't update (The one on the front page).   This action is by Hawaii CCW and it's supporters; and I believe this action will help anything the HRA decides to do officially, if anything, in the future. (It certainly can't hurt)  I was in talks with some people, but then sought further clarification and yes I was little misunderstood on the "HRA's" position. I kind of should have known people would nit-pick every word and should have accounted for that in my post. Thanks Tom for pointing out the suggested stance given by my tone.

Don't take it as the HRA said do this.  I am trying to have that front page altered, it doesn't appear to be directly linked to the post above, but I guess a highlight of what I originally put up.

Based on Article II of the Hawaii Rifle Association's Bylaws, I would think that they would be more than happy to officially support the push for increased applications for Concealed Carry Permits here in Hawaii. 

- Alex

HRA's board has to meet to decide to support any cause or issue.. Which would probably be a while from now. I apologize for the confusion! =p.

Regardless, we still need plaintiffs. People have to fill out the permits and either be approved or denied to have legal standing.

Based on Article II of the Hawaii Rifle Association's Bylaws, I would think that they would be more than happy to officially support the push for increased applications for Concealed Carry Permits here in Hawaii. 

It is explicit in the objectives of the organization to pursue the carry and use of firearms.  You're right, says so right there in the HRA bylaws.  I'm not saying HRA does or does not support this course of action in furtherance of that objective.  I am saying that the HRA board has not discussed it, and pending such a discussion, any declarative statements about the HRA's position are premature. 

Working on getting it fixed... 2a is the only one at this current time who can do that. We should lobby with each other    not against! Ill fix it tom.

I'm out for the evening got a lot of work to do and things to prepare.  Maybe the board can call each other on the phone and have a impromptu meeting or opinion.  I have been devoting significant amounts of time and financial support to this don't really have time to waste.

We should lobby with each other    not against!

You're preaching to the choir, brother! 

I've updated the home page.

For those who don't know or don't check in that often, Funtimes has done a great job of getting in touch with many people from the NRA, HRA and other various organizations. While those organizations might not have an official stance, I'm willing to bet they will come out in support shortly. Thank you for the massive amount of work you have put in not only applying and setting up a possible lawsuit in persuit of concealed carry in Hawaii, but also for networking and bringing more people to the cause.

Thank you for being quick to fix update our stuff =).  If it weren't for the ground work you (and all the others here) have laid, I probably would have never been interested.

Let's be clear...part of this action is based on several conversations Funtimes and I have had offline. He has tirelessly been trying to get something started here and we both agreed that we'd need to consider long and short term stategy. I have been trying to get info on the possible negitive aspects of a "apply for a CCW" campaign and after speaking to as meany people as I can, I came to the concusion that there was no appreciable down side to this. Based on this assessment, I suggested that if individuals wanted to apply for a CCW in anticipation of some future legal action, that there didn't seem to be a reason to advise them not to do so.

This is not an official recommendation from the HRA. As Tom mentioned, the goals of the HRA is to promote gun advocacy. I am sure the HRA would be supportive of your, and anyone's right to apply for a CCW. But as an organization it needs to have that discussioni among its leadership and allow the members to decide. And, remember, while the HRA may be supportive of your efforts, it doesn't necessarily mean it will put out an endorsement of this type of action. It may, but we won't know until we can meet to discuss this.

So, while it may not be endorsed by HRA at this point, it doesn't mean it isn't a good idea....you have to decide what works best for you and what you are willing to do. I think that in the near future we may get some support from HRA and possibly the NRA, your decision to do this needs to be independent of that possibility and based on your independent assessment of the benefits and risks.

And, despite any confusion based on the initial statment by Chris, I think he deserves a lot of credit for his efforts. Thanks Chris!

Aloha,