In 2012, two major events shook America to its core, enough to strike a move to look again at America’s gun control laws, which soon after brought thought to the words and meaning of the Second Amendment.
“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,” according to the Cornell University Law School website.
Events like the shooting at the Aurora Theater in Colorado during a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises,” and recently at Sandy Hook Elementary, prompted discussions on gun control, with the option of banning military-style assault weapons, like the AR-15, and high capacity magazines.
Pres. Obama’s new plan, “Now is the Time,” aims to protect communities and children across the nation, by implementing certain “common-sense” steps.
According to the plan, the common-sense steps consist of closing background check loopholes to be sure guns are kept out of dangerous hands; banning of the military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines; making schools safer; and increasing access to mental health services.
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which was created as a result of the Brady Act, has helped to keep 1.5 million guns out of dangerous hands, according to the president’s plan.
This background check system is able to make 92 percent of its checks instantly. It will extend to private sellers, who are currently exempt from the requirement of running background checks. This way they can sell their guns through licensed dealers so that a background check can be completed.
Students at KCC had their own opinions on who’s buying guns in the country.
“I do think they should restrict on who’s buying guns,” said Melissa Reyes, 20.
In having restrictions on who’s buying guns and what guns are being sold, the focus on the type of gun has been prominent in the news –the banning of the military-style assault weapons. A example of a weapon like this would be the AR-15, which is a semi-automatic, .223 caliber and equivalent to an M16, used by the military. The AR-15 is sold to the public.
Left: .22, model closer to a hunting rifle
Right: .22, looks more like an assault rifle.
They both have the same caliber and can do the same amount of damage.
Some gun owners and those who frequent shooting clubs think there is more to banning guns, specifically, assault weapons, that it won’t help to reduce crime.
“I’m up in the air about that (assault weapon ban),” said Jeff Tarumi, NRA certified instructor, and works at the Royal Hawaiian Shooting Club.
Tarumi is a gun owner and has been shooting for about 25 to 30 years, and in total, has worked with the shooting club for about 10 or 12 years.
“It’s probably a good thing to have, but whether it’ll work or not, reduce crime or reduce anything, I certainly don’t think so.”
Since Obama became president again, gun registration lines at the Honolulu Police Department have gotten longer, and those registering guns have been waiting for at least three hours, Tarumi said.
“A lot of people get killed on the street, we got problems with guys speeding … Let’s ban all sports cars,” he said in a discussion about the right to own a firearm. “You don’t need a car that goes 200 mph (in Hawai’i) but it’s your right (to own one).”
Then again, Tarumi said, a lot of gun owners know what they’re doing.
“They think that [everyone who owns a gun] is violent,” Tarumi said. “You need discipline, you need to be calm, for one. … It takes a lot of discipline to actually shoot well.”
The news of President Obama’s plan and the shootings have made way to Hawaiʻi school faculty, staff and students.
“I think it will have little affect on us here,” said Devan Tatemichi, 22, a marine biology major. “I heard it on the news. Obama made it big in his speeches. … I don’t think the whole bill will pass.”
Other schools around the island have been communicating with each other to plan out and clarify lockdown procedures and safety polices.
“We, fortunately, have been working hard on our lockdown procedures over the last couple of years,” said Jerry Hubbard, associate pastor and administrator at Kaimuki Christian School.
The events have heightened the schools awareness even though it was an incident on the Mainland.
“We have a great relationship with the library staff at Kaimuki,” he said. “Having good communication with those around the neighborhood (helps).”
Hubbard said that if something were to happen they have the cooperative attitude of those in the neighborhood and can call them if anything.
Bill Kato, retired HPD Officer, and security manager at ‘Iolani School explained in an email correspondence, that he thinks Kalani High School has the best procedure.
“Safety is always a priority here at Kalani,” Sheli Suzuki, Kalani High School Vice Principal said. “Safety and security actually.”
She mentioned that prior to the shootings that occurred on the mainland, this type of situation has always been a concern for Kalani, mainly because of their close proximity to the highway. Having access to the information on who possess a gun, if it’s needed, would be helpful, Suzuki explained.
“Stricter laws would help to ensure that our kids are safe and protected,” she said. “We’re prepared if something like this (shootings) were to happen.”
“Now is the Time” is a move to do something about gun violence, according to the White House website, with a plethora of issues being touched upon.
“Not at all (if banning assault weapons will solve gun violence),” Tarumi said. “It’s just a style of gun … If you break it down, assault weapons and rifles…internally work the same way, they share the same components, it just looks different.”
More information on shooting classes, visit http://www.rhshooting.com/en/.
Detailed information on Obama’s “Now is the Time” initiative can be viewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/preventing-gun-violence.