IN AUGUST, POLICE ARRESTED A WAIANAE MAN FOR KILLING HIS  NEIGHBOR WHO HE SAYS STORMED ONTO HIS PROPERTY AND SHOT  FIVE PEOPLE.

NO CHARGES WILL BE BROUGHT IN THIS CASE, BUT MANY WERE  WONDERING WHY THE MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE CLAIMED  SELF‑DEFENSE.

THE INCIDENT HAS SPARKED  DISCUSSIONS ON WHAT IS CONSIDERED SELF‑DEFENSE IN  HAWAII AND IF OUR CURRENT LAW SHOULD BE STRENGHTHENED.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS  HAWAI’I START NOW.

¶¶  ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS  ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M LAUREN DAY.

THE RECENT MASS SHOOTING IN WAIANAE HAS BROUGHT THE  STATE’S SELF‑DEFENSE LAW TO THE FOREFRONT.

IT STATES THE USE OF FORCE UPON OR TOWARD ANOTHER PERSON  IS JUSTIFIABLE WHEN THE ACTOR BELIEVES THAT SUCH FORCE IS  IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING HIMSELF  AGAINST THE USE OF UNLAWFUL FORCE BY THE OTHER PERSON ON  THE PRESENT OCCASION.

THAT SELF‑PROTECTION IS  JUSTIFIED AGAINST THE THREAT OF DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY  INJURY, KIDNAPPING, RAPE, OR FORCIBLE SODOMY.

HOWEVER, USE OF DEADLY FORCE IS NOT JUSTIFIED IF IT CAN BE  AVOIDED WITH COMPLETE SAFETY BY RETREATING OR BY  SURRENDERING POSSESSION OF A THING TO A PERSON ASSERTING A  CLAIM OF RIGHT THERETO OR BY COMPLYING WITH A DEMAND THAT  HE ABSTAIN FROM ANY ACTION WHICH HE HAS NO DUTY TO TAKE.

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL DISCUSS OUR CURRENT LAW FOR ENGAGEMENT  AND IF IT SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S  SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR  QUESTIONS AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT  PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

STEVE ALM IS THE PROSECUTING  ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

HE WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE POSITION IN 2020.

PRIOR TO THAT, HE SERVED AS A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE FOR 15  YEARS PRESIDING AT MORE THAN 200 JURY TRIALS.

SAMANTHA DECORTE IS THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR‑ELECT FOR  DISTRICT 22 ON OAHU.

SHE’LL BE REPRESENTING  CONSTITUENTS IN KO OLINA, NANAKULI, MAILI,  WAIANAE, MAKAHA AND MAKUA.

KEVIN O’GRADY IS A PRACTICING  ATTORNEY FOCUSING ON CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI DEFENSE AND CIVIL  RIGHTS LITIGATION.

HE HAS MORE THAN TWO DECADES  OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE UNITED  STATES ARMY RESERVE AS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL JUDGE  ADVOCATE.

AND CHRIS MARVIN IS THE  FOUNDER OF A STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS FIRM.

HE SERVED AS A U.S. ARMY OFFICER AND BLACK HAWK  HELICOPTER PILOT AND IS ON THE EVERYTOWN VETERANS ADVISORY  COUNCIL, WHICH WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR GUN VIOLENCE  PREVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

TWO MINUTES AGO, READ OFF HAWAII'S VERY   SMALL PART OF HAWAII'S SELF‑DEFENSE LAW.

A LOT OF LEGAL JARGON IN THERE.

CAN YOU SIMPLIFY IT FOR THE  AVERAGE JOE LIKE MYSELF.

WHEN IS THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE NOT JUSTIFIED.

>> FOCUS ON DEADLY FORCE.

IF SOMEBODY IS USING DEADLY FORCE AGAINST YOU, YOU  HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THEM.

IF IT'S IN AND OUT PUBLIC, IF YOU CAN RETREAT, AND  NOT ENGAGE, SAFELY, YOU'RE EXPECTED TO DO THAT.

IF YOU CAN'T, SOMEBODY IS HOLDING UP ROBBERY,  YOU HAVE AT RIGHT TO USE DEADLY FORCE AGAIN.

THE TWO REALLY IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS ARE IF YOU'RE  IN YOUR HOME, WHICH IS SOMETIMES CAN CALLED CASTLE   DOCTRINE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO RETREAT ANY MORE.

YOU'RE IN YOUR HOME, IN YOUR PLACE OF WORK   YOU DON'T HAVE TO RETREAT AND  USE DEADLY FORCE RIGHT THERE.

SO OUT IN PUBLIC, EXPECTED TO RETREAT.

>> IF YOU CAN DO THAT WITH SAFELY.

OTHERWISE, DEADLY FORCE CAN BE USED.

>>Lauren: CAN YOU CHIME IN.

COURT OF LAW HOW DO YOU PROVE WHETHER OR  NOT SOMEONE WAS GOING TO RETREAT SAFELY.

>> FALLS UPON PROSECUTORS' LANE.

BECAUSE ONCE A PERSON ARRESTED FOR   USING DEADLY FORCE, RAISES SOME EVIDENCE OF BEING  ABLE TO USE SELF‑DEFENSE AND A JUSTIFIED MANNER,   PROSECUTION MUST DISPROVE THAT, PROVE  BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, I BELIEVE.

LANGUAGE, THAT STRONG, TALKING ABOUT WHICH YOU  TALKED ABOUT, SOME SPECIFIC WORDS IN THERE.

>> STATUTE SAYS, THAT IF YOU KNOW YOU  CAN RETREAT, AND BE IN COMPLETE SAFETY,   THAT'S VERY HIGH STANDARD.

I'M NOT SURE THAT SOMEBODY WHO   ENCOUNTERS SITUATION OUT IN PUBLIC WHERE THEY  HAVE TO SUDDENLY DECIDE TO USE DEADLY FORCE,   WHETHER OR NOT IT'S REASONABLE, SHOULD BE TRYING  TO THINK WHAT IS SMALL CHANCE DO I KNOW THAT I   CAN COMPLETELY AVOID THIS SITUATION.

THAT'S WHAT THE STATUTE REQUIRES.

IS THAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN COMPLETELY  AVOID THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE.

THEN YOU MUST RETREAT OR  SURRENDER AN ITEM, WHICHEVER.

SO I THINK THAT THE BURDON FALLS ON THE  PROSECUTION, THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT   YOU WOULD HAVE THAT BURDON TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE AT ITS BASE, HERE IT'S A REASONABLE USE   OF DEADLY FORCE US.UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

LEGAL JARGON, COUPLE DIFFERENT STATUTES GOING   TO BE, WERE YOU REASONABLE  IN YOUR USE OF DEADLY FORCE?

AND THAT GOING TO BE PARTLY  BASED UPON WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE   EXPECTING DEADLY FORCE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SOMEBODY THREATENS YOU WITH DEADLY FORCE.

>>Lauren: WHERE DO YOU STAND HAWAII'S DEFENSE LAW.

START WITH YOU AND BACK OVER TO STEVE ALM.

>> LAWS ON THE BOOKS, ARE SUFFICIENT  FOR WHAT WE WANT AS A COMMUNITY.

WE SAID, THERE IS NO REASON THAT YOU CAN'T  DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST DEADLY FORCE IN ANY   SITUATION AND IN YOUR HOME AND WORK YOU HAVE  MORE THAN ABILITY TO USE THAT DEADLY FORCE.

AND WE SEE IT WORK WELL RECENT INSTANCES.

>> I THINK THAT MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT   CITIZENS UNDERSTAND THAT WE  HAVE A GOOD LAW ON THE BOOKS.

EXISTS AND MANY STATES ON THE MAINLAND, THAT  HAVE SIMILAR GUN SAFETY LAWS, TO HAWAII, AND THAT   THAT'S GOING TO BE SUFFICIENT BECAUSE ULTIMATELY,  WE MAKE OUR LAWS BASED ON VALUE JUDGMENTS.

PROTECTIONS AND MAKE OF LAWS  INTERPRETATION OF LAWS VERY DIFFICULT   IF OUR LANGUAGE EVERY DAY CITIZENS UNDERSTAND.

VALUES ARE DO WE WANT TO KILL MORE PEOPLE OR NOT?

WE HAVE A LAW THAT ALLOWS US TO  REDUCE DEATH FROM DEADLY FORCE   AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN THESE INSTANCES.

>>Lauren: CURIOUS, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT,   WHAT ARE YOU HEARING TOO  FROM YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS,   YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU WILL BE REPRESENTING?

>> I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE MOMENT THAT WE   HAD DISCUSSED EARLIER ABOUT THE FAMILY THAT IN  THIS DISPUTE FOR YEARS UPON YEARS AND FINALLY,   CAME TO A HEAD WHEN ONE NEIGHBOR TRAVELED OVER  TO THE OTHER NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY AND DECIDED   TO OPEN FIRE ON LOVED ONES AN FAMILY MEMBERS.

MAN THAT HAD A DECIDED TO PROTECTION HIS FAMILY   BY GRABBING HIS LEGAL RIFLE OR FIREARMS, LEGAL  FIREARM PROTECT HIS FAMILY.

IMAGINE BEING IN THIS   MOMENT, NEVER BEEN IN THAT MOMENT I CAN'T SPOKE.

I THINK YOU WANT TO DO THE MOST TO PROTECT OUR   FAMILY.

HERE YOU ARE WATCHING LIFE, FAMILY  MEMBERS AND LOVED ONES GETTING SHOT AND KILLED.

ARRESTED PUT IN THE BACK OF POLICE CAR, NOT  EVEN SURE YOU CAN SEE YOUR FAMILY AGAIN.

HAD WE HAD STAND YOUR GROUND LAW IN  EFFECT HAVE NEVER GOTTEN ARRESTED.

HAVE TO START LOOKING AT THESE KINDS OF  AREAS OF STAND YOUR GROUND BECAUSE IT WAS   VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE WERE ABLE  TO, SOMEBODY WHO A LEGAL FIREARM.

SO LET, I WANT TO GO INTO IT QUICK.

PASS IT THROUGH.

IN ORDER FOR TO YOU GET A LEGAL FIREMEN,  IT'S QUITE AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS.

GO TO TAKE A COURSE.

GET A APPROVAL THROUGH HPD.

YOU HAVE TO GET CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

MEDICAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

ONCE YOU ACTUALLY DO GET YOUR FIREARM, YOU  HAVE TO GET THAT REGISTERED THROUGH HPD.

THIS ISN'T JUST SOMETHING THAT IS ISSUED OUT.

SO I THINK THAT THE PERSON HAS BEEN VETTED TO   BE ABLE TO GET THE FIREARM, SHOULD I THINK  THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK VOLUMES ON   HIS ABILITY TO MAKE RATIONALE DECISION IN  THAT MOMENT, THAT IS PROCESS OWN FIREARMS.

NO CARRY.

WHOLE OTHER PROCESS.

THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS OF GETTING LEGAL  FIREARM, ISSUED LEGAL FIREARM WOULD CAUSE   SOME KIND OF ABILITY TO SAY THAT PERSON  CAN MAKE A RATIONAL DECISION IN THE MOMENT.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FEEL THAT WE  SHOULD HAVE A STAND YOUR GROUND LAW?

>> SO FEW ITEMS.

IF THE GENTLEMAN OVER   IN WAIANAE, I THINK HE WAS IN HIS OWN HOUSE.

IN HIS OWN HOUSE, DIDN'T HAVE A DUTY RETREAT.

I THINK THAT'S WE AGREED ON.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING OUT IN THE PUBLIC,   WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE A DUTY TO  RETREAT, I WOULD DISAGREE WITH CHRIS.

IT'S NOT ABOUT SAVING MORE LIVES.

>> OR DO WE WANT TO CAN KILL MORE   PEOPLE OR KILL FEWER PEOPLE.

IT'S ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU   HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF OUTSIDE  LIKE YOU DO WHEN YEAR IN YOUR HOUSE I DON'T   THINK THAT THAT GENTLEMAN OVER THERE WANTED  TO NECESSARILY KILL ANOTHER HUMAN BEING.

BUT HE WAS FORCED IN A SITUATION  WHERE HE HAD TO DEFEND HIMSELF.

AND HE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME RIGHT WHEN HE'S  OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THINK AMERICANS CITIZENS HAVE THE ABILITY TO  OWN AND KEEP AND BEAR ARMS AND PROCESS HERE   IN HAWAII IS VERY, VERY ONEROUS WITH REGARD  TO OWNING EVEN MORE WITH REGARD TO CARRYING.

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SUBJECT FOR ANOTHER TIME.

WITH REGARD TO HOW THAT IS LIMITING GREAT MANY   PEOPLE FROM BEING ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

WHO WERE IN THE HOUSE OR OUTSIDE.

BUT I THINK RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION,  PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ABILITY TO DEFEND   THEMSELVES LIKE THEY DO IN THEIR HOME.

OUTSIDE, WITHOUT HAVING DUTY TO RETREAT.

DOESN'T CHANGE BASE ANALYSIS.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY   WOULD KILL SOMEBODY UNLESS THEY HAD TO.

WOULD NOT USE DEADLY FORCE UNLESS THEY HAD TO.

THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH  THE EXTRA QUESTION IN THEIR MIND   STANDING OUTSIDE CAN I GET AWAY FROM THIS?

IF THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT USING FIREARM,   THEY MUST THINK IT'S NECESSARY IN THAT MOMENT.

>>Lauren: HEAR YOUR POINT OF VIEW ON THIS.

>> THAT TERRIBLE SITUATION  WITH MR. SOMA, SILVER DOME.

GENTLEMAN WOULD RETURNED FIRE  WASN'T HOME, NO DUTY TO RETREAT.

WOULDN'T HAVE MADE ANY DIFFERENCE  WITH STAND YOUR GROUND LAW.

POLICE AND I ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THIS.

I THINK OUR LAWS WORK RIGHT NOW.

BLESSED WITH A VERY LOW MURDER RATE IN HAWAII.

>> TYPICALLY IN THE MID 20'S.

HERE ON THIS ISLAND.

AND I THINK IF YOU'RE OUT IN THE PUBLIC,   AND YOU'RE SOMEBODY IS AIMING GUN AT YOU,  YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SHOOT BACK IF YOU,   BECAUSE THAT IS DEADLY FORCE RIGHT THEN.

WE WOULD HAVE TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE   DOUBT EVEN IF WE EVER WANTED TO  CHARGE IT, IT WASN'T SELF‑DEFENSE.

AS WAS ALLUDED TO.

NOW, IT'S A TRICKY QUESTION,   WHAT SENATOR DECORTE BROUGHT UP GETTING ARRESTED.

PART OF IT IS, POLICE HAVE TO TRY TO   FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED.

THEY HAVE A GUY WHO IS DEAD.

ANOTHER GUY SHOT HIM.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

I HATE TO HAVE YOU UP ON THE MEDIA SO EARLY IN THE  PROGRAM, BUT HEADLINES ARE LIKE SIMPLE TO SOLVE.

OBVIOUS.

AND YET, THE POLICE,   SO I THINK THE POLICE ARRESTED THE GENTLEMAN.

I THINK HE WAS LET GO SEVERAL HOURS LATER.

AND THEN THE CASE HAD TO COME TO OUR OFFICE  BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO MAKE DECISION WHETHER   PEOPLE GET CHARGED OR NOT.

WE LOOKED ALL  THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, SOUGHT IT WAS   JUSTIFIED SO HE WASN'T CHARGED.

PEOPLE WERE IMPATIENT, WANTED IT   DECIDED.

WITHIN 24 HOURS.

BUT OFTEN TAKES A WHILE.

PEOPLE ARE USED TO EVERYTHING BEING  DECIDED IMMEDIATELY THESE DAYS.

SOMETIMES IT'S GOING TO TAKE  A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT.

SO THAT'S MY TAKE ON WHY THE POLICE ARRESTED.

JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT VERY BASICALLY   WHAT HAPPENED.

DO SOME INVESTIGATION.

THEN WE'LL MAKE A DECISION WHETHER IT  WAS SELF‑DEFENSE AND THUS JUSTIFIED.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO SINCE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC.

BENNY WROTE IN, CLARIFY FOR HIM.

ASKING WILL THE ARREST OF THE MAN  ARRESTED IN WAIANAE, ERASED FROM HIS   RECORD DECIDED HE WOULD NOT BE CHARGED.

>> SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET IT EXPUNGED.

FEW ITEMS.

ONE, TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO   JOIN MR. ALM THAT THE POLICE DID NEED IT'S TIME  AND IT'S PROBABLY CORRECT FOR THEM TO AT LEAST   DETAIN AND SEIZE EVERYONE AT THE TIME.

SO THEY CAN FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT.

SENATOR I THINK YOU SAID THAT  HE WAS NOT ONLY ARRESTED.

I'VE SEEN DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS  FOR HOW LONG HE WAS HELD.

BECAUSE YES, ULTIMATELY THE PROSECUTOR'S  OFFICE HAVE TO ANALYZE ALL THE FACTS   AFTER INVESTIGATION AS THEY CAN GET.

SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE CHARGING DECISION.

SHOULD THEY HAVE SEIZED HIM?

SURE.

SECURED WEAPON?

SURE.

PLACED HIM IN HANDCUFFS.

YES.

BUT HOW MANY HOURS DOES ONE HAVE TO  BE HELD WHILE SOMETHING WHICH AGAIN,   I KNOW MEDIA WAS SAYING SUPERCLEAR.

PROSECUTOR NEEDS TIME TO MAKE ANALYSIS   AND TERM WHETHER OR NOT TO CHARGE PEOPLE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WAS NECESSARY ONCE HE   WAS DISARMED TO HAVE HELD HIM FOR  SO LONG AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IF HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE, HE COULD HAVE  THEN PERHAPS LATER COULD HAVE ISSUE WARRANT   OR SOMETHING.

JOIN IN.

>> I THINK IT WAS 12 HOURS.

MEMORY.

LONG BEFORE WE MADE A DECISION.

>> SURE.

DO THEIR BEST QUICKLY.

I KNOW IT MUST SEEM JARRING.

GUY TURNED OUT WAS IN THE RIGHT.

BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

IN THE IMMEDIACY OF WHAT HAPPENED.

>>Lauren: WERE YOU NODDING YOUR HEAD.

WANTED TO CHIME IN?

>> I'LL TAKE A SMALL PRIVILEGE.

ONLY NONLAWYER, NONLAWMAKER AT THE TABLE.

THIS IS A BAD EXAMPLE FOR WHAT   WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THIS SHOOTING IN WAIANAE.

HAS REALLY ALMOST NOTHING TO  DO WITH STAND YOUR GROUND LAW.

BECAUSE HE WASN'T IN PUBLIC.

IF HE WERE IN PUBLIC, AND HE WERE   BEING SHOT AT OR BULLDOZER DRIVING TOWARDS  HIM WITH CANISTERS OF FUEL WHATEVER IT WAS,   HE WOULD HAVE STILL UNDER CURRENT HAWAII  LAW, BEEN JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING IN PUBLIC.

NOTHING THAT WITH HAVE CHANGE EVEN  IF HE WASN'T AT HOME, SO WHY IS   THIS THE MOMENT WE ARE WE'RE USING TO GALVANIZE  MOVEMENT TOWARDS WHAT WE CALL SHOOT FIRST LAWS.

CALL THEM STAND YOUR GROUND LAWS.

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION LAW, SHOOT FIRST.

THAT'S WHAT IT.

SHOOT FIRST.

ASK THE QUESTIONS LATER.

SO TO ME, THERE'S SOMETHING BEHIND THAT.

THERE IS FOLKS WANT THESE LAWS OUT THERE WHO ARE  LOOKING AT THIS, GAINED SO MUCH PUBLIC ATTENTION.

WHOLE WAIANAE COAST IS TALKING ABOUT THIS.

WHOLE ISLAND, WHOLE STATE, MADE NATIONAL NEWS.

SO MOSTLY BECAUSE PROBABLY OF THE BULLDOZERS.

NOT LEGISLATING BULLDOZERS MAYBE WE SHOULD.

GUN CONVERSATION, WHOLE  SECOND AMENDMENT AGENDA THERE.

SEE A MOMENT TO JUMP ON THAT.

POOR EXAMPLE FOR US TO HAVE CONVERSATION   AROUND SHOOT FIRST, STAND YOUR GROUND TYPE LAWS.

IF I CAN TAKE ISSUE WITH THE SHOOT FIRST,   STANDARD LAW IN PLACE RIGHT NOW IN HAWAII SAYS  YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PERSON TO SHOOT.

SO THIS CHARACTERIZATION OF SHOOT FIRST, TRIES  TO I'M SORRY, WARPS HOW THESE SCENARIOS GO DOWN.

IF A PERSON IS BEING THREATENED, THEY DON'T HAVE  TO WAIT FOR THE PERSON TO LUNGE WITH A KNIFE.

DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PERSON TO SHOOT FIRST.

SOMETIMES SHOOTING FIRST CAN BE COMPLETELY   JUSTIFIABLE.

MR. ALM WOULD AGREE.

DEPENDS UPON THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

IF IT IS NOT JUSTIFIED FIRST PLACE,   THAT PERSON WILL FIND THAT OUT.

THEY WILL HAVE COMMITTED MURDER.

WILL BE PROSECUTED.

HOWEVER, VARIETY OF SITUATIONS WHERE YOU   DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TO BE RAPED OR ROBBED OR SHOT.

YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SHOOT FIRST TO DEFEND   YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU.

NOT A SECOND AMENDMENT AGENDA.

IT SAYS FREEDOM AGENDA AND TRYING TO MAKE  PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TO BE VICTIMS.

>>Kawika: OBVIOUSLY, NOT EVERYONE  IS GOING TO AGREE ON THE SUBJECT.

CHRIS, CAN I JUST CLARIFY YOUR STANCE ON  IT AND ADVISORY COUNCIL, DO YOU FEEL THAT   STAND YOUR GROUND LAW OR YOU WERE SAYING SHOOT  FIRST, WOULD RESULT IN MORE UNNECESSARY DEATHS?

IS THAT WHAT YOU WERE SAYING?

>> IN THE STATES THAT HAVE SUCH.

STATES HAVE LAWS LIKE THIS.

YOU MENTION OFF THE TOP, MAJORITY OF STATES.

TRUE BUT NOT MAJORITY OF STATE POPULATION.

STATES LIKE NEW YORK CITY, CALIFORNIA,   ILLINOIS DON'T HAVE THESE LAWS.

>> MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DON'T   LIVE UNDER STAND YOUR GROUND REGIME.

ONES THAT DO, AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF   THESE LAWS, WE SEE 55% INCREASE IN HOMICIDE RATES.

SO THERE'S NOWHERE, IF WE PUT IN LAWS THAT MAKES   IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO SHOOT OTHER PEOPLE.

THERE'S NO REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT   SHOOTINGS WILL GO DOWN.

HOMICIDE RATES.

REMEMBER, TAKES OUT THE JUSTIFIED ONE.

HAVE STAND YOUR GROUND LAW AND MAYBE   POINTED OUT NOT APPLYING IT CORRECTLY.

DO SHOOT, THEY DON'T MEET STANDARD.

THEY END UP GOING TO JAIL FOR  HOMICIDE.

THOSE INCREASE BY 55%.

GUN VIOLENCE RATES ALL OF THESE STATES  INCREASE, PUT THESE LAWS IN PLACE.

HAWAII VOTERS AND HAWAII LEGISLATORS NEED  TO THINK HARD ABOUT IS WE WILL SEE INCREASE   IN GUN DEATHS PERIOD.

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

ONE THING THAT I THINK IS REALLY HARD  FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, I THINK,   BECAUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS CRIME IS DROPPING.

IT'S BEEN DROPPING FOR 30 YEARS IN HAWAII.

IT'S ABOUT HALF OF WHAT IT WAS IN THE 90s.

NOW, THERE ARE MORE HOMICIDES WITH GUNS   ON THE WEST SIDE.

WITHOUT QUESTION.

BUT WHAT HPD TRIES TO GET ACROSS IS IN  MOST OF THE CASES, THEY'RE NOT RANDOM.

THAT MEANS IF YOU'RE GOING TO THE STORE,  YOU'RE GOING TO THE BEACH, UNLIKELY TO GET   SHOT IN WAIANAE OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

BECAUSE SHOOTINGS, VAST MAJORITY,   PEOPLE KNOW EACH OTHER.

OR THEY'RE RELATED TO   EACH OTHER INTERFAMILIAL THING.

THAT SHOULD MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SAFER.

HARD TO EXPLAIN THAT KIND THING TO PEOPLE.

NORMALLY, ONE OR TWO MURDERS ON THE WEST   SIDE AND LAST COUPLE OF YEARS,  IT'S BEEN 8, 9, IT'S ACTUALLY   LITTLE LOWER THAT YEAR SO FAR THAN LAST YEAR.

BUT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF TOTALLY RANDOM THINGS.

MOSTLY PEOPLE THAT KNOW EACH OTHER OR  HAVE DISAGREEMENTS WITH OTHER GROUPS.

BUT TRYING TO GET PEOPLE, I THINK  PSYCHOLOGICALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT,   WE DO MORE STUFF WITH OUR OFFICE ON THE WEST SIDE,  TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE TO PEOPLE THAT   IT MAY SEEM LIKE CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL.

IT'S ACTUALLY LOWER THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE GUN CASES.

AND IT'S BEEN DROPPING YEAR   AFTER YEAR FOR 30 YEARS HERE.

>>Lauren: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM FOLKS ON THE   WEST SIDE AS FAR AS WHAT THEY WANT DONE TO HELP  GUN VIOLENCE ISSUE IN THEIR COMMUNITY OR DO THEY   WANT LOOSER, SELF‑DEFENSE LAWS HERE IN HAWAII?

>> CRIME IS DEFINITELY ON THE RISE ON WAIANAE   COAST AS PROSECUTOR ALM HAS SAID.

SO WE'RE SEEING DIFFERENT KINDS OF   HOMICIDES, DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRIMES.

WE'RE SEEING RANDOM, SOME WE'RE   SEEING IN DOMESTIC DISPUTES.

SOME WE'RE SEEING WITH PEOPLE   TRESPASSING ON TO OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY.

SO IT'S REALLY HARD AT THIS POINT TO PINPOINT   WHERE THE PATTERN IS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

I CAN'T SAY THAT IT'S ALL RANDOM.

NOT RANDOM.

CASE IN POINT   THAT I WANT TO MENTION IS DEGUZZMAN CAUGHT IN A  CROSSFIRE AND SHE WAS WALKING ON A PUBLIC STREET   AND SHE WAS HIT AND SHE WAS SURVIVED.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF RANDOM SHOOTINGS.

ALSO HAVE SHOOTINGS THAT ARE BETWEEN HOUSEHOLDS  AND SHOOTINGS THAT ARE IN HOUSEHOLDS.

SO I THINK THE WAIANAE COAST IS ISOLATED  WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

COMPARED TO THE STATE OVERALL.

WE'RE DEFINITELY IN A CATEGORY OF OUR OWN.

SO WE NEED TO REALLY RAMP UP  AND HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

>>Lauren: GOOD COMMENT AND QUESTION  FROM MEL ONE OF OUR VIEWERS.

>> PANEL SHOULD MAKE THE POINT THAT  WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT GUNS   IN THE CONTEXT OF STAND YOUR GROUND.

OTHER DEADLY WEAPON INCLUDING OUR HANDS.

HER QUESTION IS, IF SOMEONE IS CHOKING ME  AND I FEEL LIKE HE IS KILLING ME CAN I FIGHT   BACK EVEN IF IT MEANS ASSAILANT DIES?

>> REASONABLY, YOU'RE FACING DEATH OR   SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, YOU CAN USE  DEADLY FORCE THAT IN THAT SITUATION.

>> I CONCUR.

THAT'S THE STATUTE.

IF YOU THINK THAT YOU'RE FACE DEATH OR  SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, BEING CHOKED,   I WOULD THINK THAT YOU CAN TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS  NECESSARY TO STOP THAT PERSON FROM CHOKING YOU.

>> IF IT WAS SAY YOU GO DOWN TO FORT STREET  MALL AND SOME GUY IS SHOOTING PEOPLE AND YOU   COME UPON IT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE RIGHT  TO USE DEADLY FORCE AND SHOOT THAT PERSON.

BECAUSE IF HE IS SHOOTING ANDING PEOPLE  CLEARLY, THEY COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE   WAY, AND HITTING PEOPLE COULDN'T RETREAT.

ONE THING WORRIES ABOUT ME RESEARCH   SHOWS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE GUN  FIGHTS IF YOU PASS A LAW LIKE THIS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A REAL HARD TIME HITTING WHAT  THEY'RE SHOOTING AT ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE MOVING.

I MEAN, THEY HAVE THIS SITUATION WITH THE FBI  IN MIAMI WHERE THEY ARE THE BAD GUYS SHOT DOZENS   OF BULLETS AT EACH OTHER.

>> DIDN'T HIT EACH OTHER.

ADRENALINE RUNS IN THERE.

ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS, I THINK YOU SENATOR POINTS   OUT THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING CONCEALED CARRY,  HONEST LAW ABIDING PEOPLE, FOLLOWING THE RULES.

HAVE THAT.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE   GOING TO THE RANGE REGULARLY, ARE THEY GOING TO BE  ABLE TO REALLY HARD TO EFFECTIVELY SHOOT SOMEBODY.

I'M WORRIED THAT MORE PEOPLE,  I HAVEN'T SEEN DATA ON THIS.

BUY BY STANDARD MIGHT BE MORE RISK SEEMS LOGICAL.

HARD TO SHOOT SOMEBODY.

MAKE SURE IT'S NOT A HAWAII 50  BEING SHOT OR THAT'S UNDERCOVER   POLICE OFFICER TRYING TO SHOOT SOME PEOPLE  THAT WERE ACTUALLY KILLING SOMEBODY ELSE.

SO YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL.

INSERTING YOURSELF IN THAT SITUATION.

WHICH IS WHY MOST OF THIGHS CAST ON THE MAINLAND,  MOST PEOPLE EVEN CARRYING DO NOT GET INVOLVED.

BECAUSE THEY'RE THERE TO  PROTECT THEMSELVES AN FAMILY.

NOT OUT THERE TO BE ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER.

>> WE HEARD FROM BOTH OF THE LAWYERS HERE   IS THAT OUR LAW IS RELATIVELY SUFFICIENT.

WE HAVE THIS LAW ON THE BOOKS ALLOWS YOU,   CERTAIN STANDARD DEFEND YOURSELF.

SO MAKING IT MORE PERMISSIVE IS ONLY   GOING TO GET MORE CONFUSION.

HAWAII 50 SCENARIO.

WE KNOW THAT SEE ON THE MAINLAND.

>> AND SENATOR ELECT MENTIONED, TRESPASSING.

THERE ARE STATES ON THE MAINLAND WHERE IF  YOU TRESPASS, YOU CAN BE SHOT AND KILLED.

THAT IS A DEATH PENALTY OFFENSE.

NORTH CAROLINA YOU CAN SHOOT THROUGH A   CLOSED DOOR IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN DANGER.

FAMOUS INCIDENT WHERE TEENAGERS WERE LOST AND   PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY TO TURN AROUND, AND  GUY FROM THE FRONT PORCH SHOT AND KILLED THEM.

TEENAGERS HAVE BEEN, CONGRESSWOMAN JORDEN  WAS KILLED FOR PLAYING MUSIC TOO LOUD.

ARBORY CHASED DOWN BY PEOPLE.

AND ALL KNOW THE MARTIN STORY.

WORE A HOODIE, GOT KILLED.

PEOPLE  NOT FAILED TO RETREAT WILL SHOOT.

WHEN THE SHOER IS WHITE AND PERSON  SHOT, PERSON OF COLOR FIVE TIMES LIKELY   FIND IT JUSTIFIED SHOOTING.

THINK ABOUT THAT POPULATION   AND WHO IS GOING TO BE LAWS HERE.

LAWS ARE SUFFICIENT, DEFEND YOURSELF.

I DID NOT SAY THAT OURS WERE SUFFICIENT.

I SAID IT WAS.

WHAT I SAID WAS YOU SAID BOTH LAWYERS.

WHAT I SAID WAS, ABILITY TO NOT HAVE TO RETREAT   SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE.

I WOULD SERIOUSLY DISAGREE WITH THE   STATISTICS HE'S THROWING OUT.

STATES FROM FLORIDA, ARIZONA,   THAT HAVE SEEN REDUCTION IN CRIME AND  PEOPLE ARE CARRYING CONCEALED ALL THE TIME.

AS MR. ALM SAYS, PEOPLE WHO CARRY CONCEALED  DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY GET INVOLVED.

I THINK SOME OF THE EXAMPLE EXAMPLES  CHRIS BROUGHT UP PEOPLE ENGAGED IN   CRIMES THEN PROSECUTED FOR THEM.

AND IN SOME CASES THEY WERE JUSTIFIED.

WHAT THEY DID.

FELLOW DOWN IN FLORIDA.

BUT OTHER CASES SOME OTHER SOUTHERN STATE,  TWO FELLOWS CHASED HIM, I BELIEVE THOSE TWO   INDIVIDUALS ARE I THINK SERVING LIFE SENTENCES.

SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMEBODY   ARMED WILL COMMIT CRIMES.

IT IS ALSO ENTIRELY POSSIBLE WHICH AMERICANS HAVE   THE RIGHT TO DO, WHICH IS THEY SHOULD BE OUT THERE  AND THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

IF THEY DO IT IMPROPERLY, THEY'LL BE PROSECUTED.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY,   THEY'RE GOING TO BE DECEASED VICTIM.

>> QUICKLY, ARBORY IS STILL DEAD.

KILLERS ARE IN JAIL, HE'S DEAD.

FAMILY LOST HIM BECAUSE PEOPLE FOUGHT   GIVEN THESE LAWS BEING ON THE BOOKS.

THEY HAD THE RIGHT TO EXECUTE HIM.

THOUGHT CONCEALED WEAPON HOLDER.

I WALK THE TALK THERE TOO.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE HERE IS IN  THE UNITED STATES, LOOK AT ALL   OF THESE PERMISSIVE GUN LAWS COMING INTO PLAY.

NOW IN THE COUNTRY WITH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH   FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS IS FIREARMS.

>> TWO YEARS AGO.

CRIME GOING DOWN.

THIS AND THAT.

MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING BY GUNS THAN EVER BEFORE  HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY MORE PERMISSIVE GUN LAWS.

HAWAII HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PREVENT THAT.

A LOT OF THOSE TEENAGERS ARE   INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

WHETHER THEY'RE 15 OR 18 AND 19,   WHICH BY THE WAY ARE ADULTS.

SO I DON'T WANT THIS TO GET   INTO A STATISTICS BATTLE.

THAT'S ALL NEEDED TO SAY.

>>Lauren: YOU MENTIONED PROSECUTING.

>> CLARIFY.

HOW DO YOUR OFFICERS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT  TO DECIDE CHARGES IN SELF‑DEFENSE CASE,   ALL FACT‑ORIENTED.

EXEMPLIFIED POLICE   OFFICERS, SHOOT AND KILL A SUSPECT.

AND SINCE I CAME IN, I WAS CONVINCED   THAT IF THE AGENCY WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE  SHOOTING IS DOING THE INVESTIGATING PEOPLE   ARE ALWAYS GOING TO QUESTION IT.

LIKE IF ONE OUR INVESTIGATORS,   WE HAVE 25 INVESTIGATORS IN OUR OFFICE.

SHOT AND KILLED SOMEBODY IN THE LINE OF   DUTY, WE WOULDN'T INVESTIGATE IT.

WE WOULD HAVE HPD INVESTIGATE IT.

MAYBE THE AG PROSECUTE IT.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT OFFICER INVOLVED   SHOOTING WE SEE WAS IT JUSTIFIED OR NOT.

IN THE MIDST, IN THE MIDST OF BATTLE WITH   CORP COUNSEL ABOUT FIGHTING THAT THERE WAS A  CASE IN NUUANU, SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY PLAYER.

LOOKS AT THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, DETERMINED  OFFICERS WERE JUSTIFIED IN USING DEADLY FORCE.

IT COULD BE SELF‑DEFENSE.

COULD BE DEFENSE OF OTHERS.

AND FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN MAKING LAWFUL ARREST.

IT'S TOTALLY FACT BASED.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO THINK OF SITUATION LIKE  IS BEING BROUGHT UP ABOUT TRYING TO FIGURE   OUT WHETHER YOU HAVE A SAFEWAY OUT BECAUSE  IF SOMEBODY IS COMING AT YOU, WITH A WEAPON,   YOU'RE GOING TO BE JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING THEM.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT A QUESTION, I DON'T THINK.

IF IT WERE GOING TO TAKE THIS CAN I DO THIS OR NOT  DO THIS, I WOULD BE VERY SYMPATHETIC TOWARD IT.

I'M TRYING TO THINK.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CASES LIKE THAT.

LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE A REALLY LOW MURDER RATE.

AND SO RIGHT NOW, I JUST DON'T SEE   THE NEED TO CHANGE THE LAWS.

BECAUSE I THINK WHAT WE HAVE WORKS.

WE WOULD LOOK AT IT AND IF SOMEBODY WAS ROBBING  SOMEBODY AT GUN POINT, THAT PERSON I MEAN,   I DON'T KNOW HOW DO YOU IT.

REALLY CHANCEY.

I WOULD THINK TO TRY TO PULL OUT A GUN AND  SHOOT THE GUY WHO ROBBING YOU AT GUN POINT.

THAT WOULD BE JUSTIFIED.

NO WAY TO RETREAT IF SOMEBODY   IS POINTING A GUN AT YOU.

SHOULD BE DEFEND YOURSELF.

I'M PROSECUTOR NOW.

GONE IN FOUR YEARS.

NEXT PROSECUTOR MIGHT HAVE A  DIFFERENT OPINION ABOUT THIS.

>> THAT'S THE WAY AWAY LOOK AT IT NOW, FACT BASED.

>>Lauren: SPEAKING OF LAWS,   QUESTION SENATOR ELECT OVER HERE.

ERIC KAILUA ASKING, WILL THIS ISSUE COME UP   BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE IN THE NEXT SESSION?

SEEMS WORTHY OF A DISCUSSION.

>> WELL, I'LL SPEAK FOR OUR DISTRICT PRIMARILY.

WE ARE FOCUSED ON REALLY JUST HELPING OUR   COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SELF‑PROTECT THEMSELVES.

AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A POLICE STATION STILL   UNFINISHED.

GETTING THERE.

UNTIL THEN, WE HAVE A RESPONSE TIME FROM POLICE  STATION THAT IS OUTSIDE OF OUR DISTRICT THAT TAKES   A WHILE FOR THEM TO GET ON THE SCENE.

MURDERS ARE HAPPENING, PEOPLE ARE   GETTING KILLED, ON WHATEVER LEVEL THAT IS.

>> WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OUR COMMUNITY   AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

SO MYSELF ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES,   THAT DO REPRESENT OUR DISTRICT, BOTH ON  THE STATE AND CITY LEVEL, WILL BE PUSHING   LEGISLATION THIS UP UPCOMING SESSION TO BE GIVE  OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS JUST THAT RELIEF AND THAT   COMFORT THAT THEY CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES.

WE WILL BE COLLABORATING ON COMPANION   BILL ON THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>Lauren: THIS QUESTION IS FROM ANNETTE.

WASN'T THERE A BILL INTRODUCED IN  LEGISLATURE LAST SESSION TO STRENGTHEN   OUR CURRENT SELF‑DEFENSE LAW.

I BELIEVE IT DID NOT PASS.

CAN THE BILL BE REINTRODUCED THE NEXT SESSION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BILLS INTRODUCED TO STRENGTHEN THESE EFFORTS.

MOST DON'T GET A HEARING.

YEAR AFTER YEAR LEGISLATORS INTRODUCED THESE  BILLS, EITHER KILL OR DON'T EVEN GET A HEARING.

I THINK WITH OUR COLLABORATION, ON THE CITY AND  STATE LEVEL, WITH MY COLLEAGUES, WE'LL ABLE TO GET   JUST SOME KIND OF TRACTION ON IT.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE WILL BE LOOKING INTO THAT.

WE WILL BE INTRODUCE THAT.

>> IF I COULD ADD, I'M NOT A REAL  BIG FAN OF MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

DIFFERENT SITUATIONS CALL FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.

BUT HAVING A REAL PROBLEM WITH GHOST GUNS   PEOPLE GET IN THE MAIL, NO SERIAL NUMBERS.

MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO HAVE SOME MANDATORY   TIME FOR POSSESSION OF GHOST GUN.

PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS EVEN WHEN   THERE'S A SHOOTING OFF IN THE POLICE ARE NOT  ABLE TO RECOVER THE WEAPON BECAUSE WHO'S EVER   THERE WILL GRAB IT AND TAKE IT AWAY.

TRACE WHERE DID THE GUN COME FROM?

HOW DID THEY GET A HOLD OF IT TALK ABOUT GUN  VIOLENCE ENCOURAGE PARENTS HOW TO LOCK IT UP, KEEP   IT AWAY FROM KIDS BE RESPONSIBLE AS YOU CAN SO YOU  DON'T HAVE KIDS GRABBING DAD'S GUN GOING OUT AT   1:00 IN THE MORNING AND GETTING INTO TROUBLE.

BUT I THINK MANDATORY SENTENCE FOR   GHOST GUNS MAY BE APPROPRIATE.

WORKING WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITY   GROUPS ON DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> A LITTLE BIT.

HOMEMADE FIREARMS OR FIREARM DON'T BEAR  SERIAL NUMBERS RELATIVELY NEW INVENTION.

GUN ACT.

NO REASON WHY ANYTHING WITH   A SERIAL NUMBER OR WITHOUT, MEANS ANYTHING WITH  REGARD TO THE CRIMINALITY PERSON POSSESSING IT.

WIDE VARIETY PEOPLE ACROSS  COUNTRY POSSESS FIREARMS   DON'T HAVE SERIAL NUMBERS CREATED THEMSELVES.

DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE GOING TO MURDER ANYBODY.

THE PERSON WHO HAS A SERIALIZED FIREARM AND  HE OBLITERATES NUMBER, BECAUSE HE MURDERED   SOMEBODY WITH IT, THAT'S DIFFERENT.

HE IS DESTROYING EVIDENCE AFTER THE   FACT.

THAT'S OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT THE MERE POSSESSION   OF WEAPON HAS ANYTHING DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT  THAT WEAPON IS GOING TO BE USED IN A CRIME.

CRIMINALS WHO AREN'T SUPPOSED TO  THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE ARE GOING   TO GET WHATEVER KIND OF FIREARM THEY WANT.

MAY THEY WANT THOSE BECAUSE THEY'RE LESS   TRACEABLE.

YEAH.

PROBABLY NOT ALSO GOING TO BUY THEM FROM  A DEALER BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE   KNOWN THAT THEY JUST PURCHASED FIREARM.

SO GOING BACK TO HIS THEORY, I'M SORRY.

NOT THEORY HIS STATEMENT ABOUT  HOW HE ANALYZES WHETHER OR NOT   TO CHARGE, VERY CORRECT THAT'S FACTUAL.

THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE DETERMINATION ACCORDING   TO THE PROSECUTORIAL ETHICS.

THAT'S FINE AND GREAT.

MY CONCERN IS AFTER HE DEPARTS, THAT  THE NEXT PROSECUTOR MAY NOT FEEL MAY   NOT APPLY THE LAW AND QUITE THE SAME WAY.

GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE MIGHT OTHERWISE BE   DEFENDING THEMSELVES HAVE TO BE PROSECUTED  OR THERE'S A CHOICE MADE TO PROSECUTE THEM.

SO THAT IS WHY CHANGE THE LAW TO AFFORD THE  CITIZENRY PEACE OF MIND DON'T HAVE TO RETREAT,  WHETHER IN THE HOUSE OR OUT OF THEIR  HOUSE, ANALYSIS STILL GOING TO BE THE SAME.

PROSECUTOR HAS TO DETERMINE WAS DEADLY  FORCE JUSTIFIED US, AND SHOULD WE PROSECUTE.

UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

ONE LESS THING THERE I DON'T HAVE TO RETREAT.

DEFEND THEMSELVES WHEREVER THEY ARE.

>> PASS LEGISLATION NOW.

BECAUSE OF WHAT FUTURE PROSECUTOR FOUR  YEARS FROM NOW, UNNAMED, UNKNOWNED,   MAY DECIDE NOW TO INTERPRET THE LAW.

MR. ALM'S REPLACEMENT FOUR YEARS NOT   REASON WE SHOULD LEGISLATE TODAY.

IT IS GUN LOBBY WANT TO SELL MORE   GUNS MORE GUNS IN HAWAII BECAUSE  THAT'S MORE PROFITS FOR THE COMPANY.

THAT'S A GREAT REASON TO DO THAT.

GHOST GUNS, KIND OF BACKTRACKED ON YOUR ARGUMENT.

OKAY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE GHOST  GUNS, WITHOUT SERIAL NUMBERS.

HOMEMADE.

KITS IN MAIL AND OKAY FOR THEM HAVE   THEM DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE GOING TO SHOOT SOMEBODY.

ALSO SAID THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO   BUY GUNS PROHIBITED ARE GOING TO FAIL BACKGROUND  CHECKS, LICENSED FIREARM DEALERS HAVE A WAY   AROUND THAT.

GHOST GUNS.

WHY THE STATE WORKED REALLY HAR, LEGISLATURE  REALLY HARD TO MAKE GHOST GUNS ILLEGAL IN HAWAII.

BEFORE THAT, WEREN'T ILLEGAL.

PROSECUTORS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

GHOST GUNS IN HAWAII NOW.

HAVE TO GET RID OF RESIDUAL GHOST   GUNS CONTINUING TO BE USED FOR CRIMES BECAUSE  THAT'S THE FOLKS WHO CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON THEM.

ADVOCATES FOR THE IDEA THAT SHOULD  HAVE UNSERIALIZED HOMEMADE AGAIN.

PUT KITS TOGETHER.

QUICKEST AWAY FOR GET A GUN ORDER KITS ONLINE.

GET AROUND THE LAWS.

HAWAII STRENGTHENED THAT.

SAFER BECAUSE OF IT.

>> PEOPLE HAVE NOT THAT THAT CATEGORY.

DON'T BUY A GUN BACKGROUND CHECK.

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN, DON'T NEED A GHOST GUN.

TAKE THE BACKGROUND CHECK, BUY A GUN.

>>Lauren: OPPOSING VIEWS.

I WANT TO GET TO COUPLE OF OUR VIEWER QUESTIONS.

IT'S OKAY.

ON THE TOPIC GUN VIOLENCE.

TALKING ABOUT SELF‑DEFENSE.

NOT EVERY SCENARIO GOING TO BE FIREARM INVOLVED.

>> IN A ROAD RAGE INCIDENT.

WHERE YOU NEED TO DEFEND YOURSELF, BECAUSE  SOMEONE IS OUT OF THE CAR AND COMING AT YOU WITH,   THIS ONE MENTION WITH A FIREARM.

OR A KNIFE.

CAN YOU RUN HIM OVER WITH YOUR CAR EVEN  THOUGH HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD YEARS EARLIER?

VERY SPECIFIC SCENARIO.

MAYBE IF WE CAN ADDRESS THE TOPIC.

>> I'LL DEFER.

>> I MEAN,   SOMEBODY COMING AT YOU WITH A GUN, YOU  MIGHT WELL BE ABLE TO RUN HIM OVER.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SAFELY RETREAT FROM THAT.

REVERSE BACK AND HE CAN SHOOT YOU   AS YOU'RE TRYING IT REVERSE BACK.

I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE BETTER OFF, NOT   GETTING INTO ROAD RAGE EXCHANGES AND NOT PULLING  OVER AND NOT LEADING TO THIS STUFF HAPPENING.

BUT I THINK IF SOMEBODY HAS A KNIFE,  THAT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT STORY.

IF YOU CAN ROLL UP YOUR WINDOW AND LEAVE.

>> LAW PASSES, IF THAT LAW   PASSES THAT COULD HAPPEN.

GUY THREATENS YOU WITH A KNIFE.

STOPS.

THINKS BETTER OF IT.

GET BACK IN HIS CAR.

LAW PROPOSING STILL BE ABLE   TO FOLLOW HIM AND SHOOT HIM.

>> THAT CHANGES SCENARIO.

ONCE HE GETS BACK IN HIS  CAR, NO LONGER THE THREAT.

ONLY WAY STAND YOUR GROUND WOULD WORK IS IF  HE'S APPROACHING WITH A KNIFE AND THEORETICALLY,   THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH ARMY CHAIR GUESSING  NEXT DAY ARM CHAIR GUESSING NEXT DAY.

COULD HAVE THROWN IT IN REVERSE.

HE ONLY HAD A KNIFE.

PERSON SAID I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT REVERSE.

I WAS PANICKED.

>> HE WAS IN FRONT OF ME.

I HIT HIM WITH THE CAR.

SO THE THREAT IS STILL THERE.

HE'S COMING AT THEN.

AT THE TELLING THEM HE'S GOING TO KILL THEM.

HAD A GUN OR KNIFE OR PIECE OF BAR.

ARGUMENT MADE LATER IN COURT, WE CAN SEE  HER ON THE TRAFFIC CAMERA YOU COULD HAVE   COMPLETED WITH SAFETY IF YOU JUST  WOULD HAVE THROWN IT IN REVERSE.

THAT IS WHY I THINK CHANGING  THE LAW NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW.

>>Lauren: MICHAEL KAILUA ASKING, CAN  YOU USE DEADLY FORCE IF SOMEONE IS   BREAKING INTO YOUR HOME?

>> WITH REGARD TO THAT.

AS WELL.

THAT'S IN THE STATUTE.

I THINK THAT I DON'T HAVE IT MEMORIZED.

PROVISION IN THE STATUTE, IF THEY'RE COMMITTING   ROBBERY OR SOMETHING ANYONE ELSE THE HOME,  FELONIOUS OR FELONY CRIMINAL PROPERTY DAMAGE,   I WOULD HAVE LOOK IT UP.

SPECIFIC PROVISION SOMEBODY   BREAKING INTO YOUR HOUSE, MERELY BREAK  INTO YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT SAY THEY HAVE A   BAT AND THREATENING OR GOT TO YOUR BEDROOM.

BROKEN INTO OUTER PORTION OF YOUR HOUSE,   STATUTES PROVIDE CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, IF  THERE'S SOME OTHER CRIME THAT SPECIFIED IN   THE STATUTES, THEN IT COULD BE JUSTIFIED BY  OVERARCHING JUSTIFICATION STATUTE SAYING,   HAS TO BE JUSTIFIED UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THERE HAS TO BE NO LESSER WAY TO PREVENT   WHATEVER THAT OTHER CRIME IS.

IF YOU'RE IN YOUR HOME,   LAW IS GOING TO LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY.

PART OF TALKING ABOUT THIS AROUND   THE COUNTRY, ALL SORTS OF PLACES.

THEY COULD CONSIDER US NOT OLD THINK.

WE HAVE ALSO HAVE EXCEPTION FOR WORKPLACE.

I THINK SOME PLACES HAVE EXCEPTION FOR CAR.

AND THEN SOME PLACES HAVE TOTAL EXCEPTIONS.

THE REASON I MEAN, WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT   IS JUST LOOKING AT THE DATA, STATES THAT HAVE  STAND YOUR GROUND LAWS HAVE MORE GUN FIGHTS.

THERE'S JUST, THAT JUST IS HAPPENING.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO DO THAT.

I DON'T THINK WOULD BE HEALTHY FOR THE WAIANAE  COAST OR ANYWHERE ELSE TO MORE GUN FIGHTS.

SOMEBODY COMING AT YOU WITH A GUN  OR KNIFE, YOU CAN DEFEND YOURSELF.

THAT IS I MEAN, IF IT'S RIGHT  THERE, BUT IT'S SO FACTS SPECIFIC.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EACH CASE INDIVIDUALLY.

>>Lauren: BECAUSE IT'S SO FACT SPECIFIC AS   YOU BOTH HAD SHARED, THAT IS THE PART THAT  REALLY RINGS UNEASINESS TO MY COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE WE DON'T NECESSARILY  HAVE ALL THE LAWS MEMORIZED.

CAN'T THINK IN THAT MOMENT.

AM I AT WORK, AT HOME, GROCERY   STORE, PICKING UP MY KID, MY CAR?

I WANT TO USE MY DAD'S CAR TODAY.

IN THAT MOMENT, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR US TO REALLY  TAKE A STEP BACK TO JUST THINK, WHAT ARE THE LAWS   HERE BECAUSE I'M AT WORK?

GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, HAD A  RANCHER THAT WAS SHOT AND KILLED   ON HIS PROPERTY BECAUSE OF POACHERS TRESPASSED.

POACHERS, NOT SURE IF THEY INTENDED THAT DAY KILL   SOMEBODY, MAYBE THEY WERE JUST WANTING TO HUNT.

NOT EXACTLY SURE.

WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING, RANCHER CONFRONTED  THEM, TOLD THEM TO GET OFF AND FIRE BROKE OUT.

GUNFIRE BROKE OUT AND THAT  RANCHER WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

THESE ARE THE KINDS OF ISSUE  THAT MY COMMUNITY FEELS UNEASY.

THEY FEEL UNSAFE.

THIS IS WHERE HELPING   THEN TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WOULD  GIVE THEM SOME SORT OF PEACE OF MIND TO KNOW   THAT THIS PART OF THE PROCESS IS ACTUALLY, YEAH  GOING TO BE HELPING THEM TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>>Lauren: WE'VE BEEN TALKING  HAWAII SELF‑DEFENSE LAW.

MAYBE WE CAN KIND OF ALL CHIME  IN ON THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT   NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, SURGEON GENERAL DECLARED   FIREARM VIOLENCE IN AMERICA PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

DO YOU FEEL THAT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT WHAT CAN WE   DO AS A COUNTRY TO MAKE IT LITTLE BIT BETTER?

CHRIS DO YOU WANT TO START?

YOUR ORGANIZATION SOMETHING  THAT YOU ALL WORK TOWARDS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK SURGEON GENERAL LEADING EDGE ON THIS.

LIKE WE REMEMBER SURGEON GENERAL WARNING ON SMOKE.

START TO LOOK AT SOMETHING THAT IS HEALTH   CRISIS FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS AND HAVE TO  CALL IT OUT THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I MENTIONED IT BEFORE, LEADING CAUSE  OF DEATH AMONG CHILDREN AND TEENS.

TELL YOU THIS BECAUSE TEENS, CRIMINAL, SUICIDE,  ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND BRINGING GUNS TO SCHOOL.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, EVER.

LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN AND TEENS.

SO THAT'S THE CRISIS.

KEIKI ARE DYING BY GUNS THAT'S A CRISIS.

>>Lauren: HOW DOES YOUR COMMUNITY  AND YOURSELF FEEL ABOUT IT?

>> I THINK ALWAYS GOING TO BRING A MORE  HEIGHTENED RESPONSE TO THESE TYPES DISCUSSIONS   BECAUSE OF THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT.

HAD THERE BEEN A DIFFERENT SENATOR DIFFERENT   DISTRICT MAYBE DIFFERENT RESPONSE.

>> ALWAYS GOING TO BE ABLE TO,   GOING TO STAND BEHIND OUR COMMUNITY AND THEM  WANTING TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THEMSELVES.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHERE I STAND ON IT.

>>Lauren: BEFORE GO TO KEVIN AND MR. ALM   HERE WANT TO CHIME IN.

RAYMOND ONE YOUR VIEWERS,   WROTE IN ABOUT THIS.

COMMENT.

I THINK IT'S GOOD TO SAY RIGHT AFTER YOU SAMANTHA.

BEEN A LOT MENTIONED TONIGHT ABOUT CRIME.

ON THE WEST SIDE.

CAN WE PLEASE MAKE THE POINT EMPHATICALLY THIS   MOST OF US LIVE ON WEST SIDE ARE LAW ABIDING NICE  PEOPLE, LIKE THERE ARE EVERYWHERE ELSE IN HAWAII.

WE HAVE BAD APPLES YES.

IN THAT AREA WE ARE NOT UNIQUE.

IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING ON AT THAT.

NICE COMMENT TO MAKE WE SHOULD POINT OUT.

>> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS A LOT OF NEGATIVE NARRATIVE OUT THERE.

MEDIA TENDS PICK UP NEGATIVE NARRATIVES.

ACTUALLY HIGHLIGHT THE POSITIVES THINGS  THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE OUR COMMUNITY,   I THINK THAT WOULD REFRAME THE STEREOTYPE  COMING OUT OF THE WAIANAE COAST.

RIGHT NOW, THAT'S WHAT THE MEDIA IS PUSHING OUT.

WE KNOW PEOPLE THAT WE LIVE NEXT TO,   AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE TONS OF  GREAT PEOPLE IN THE WAIANAE COAST.

WE'RE DOING INNOVATIVE THINGS.

I DON'T WANT TO NEGLECT THE FACT WE   ARE LACKING RESOURCES ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

CASE IN POINT, UNCOMPLETED POLICE STATION.

THAT SINCE 2017 HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED YET.

SAY THAT.

WE HAVE THE LOWEST AMOUNT OF  ONE OF THE LOWEST AMOUNT OF   DISTRICTS FOR PATROL AREAS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WITH CRIME ON THE RISE, WE SHOULD BE HAVING   BLUE LIGHTS UP AND DOWN THE STREET CONSTANTLY.

SO AS FAR AS HIS COMMENT ABSOLUTELY AGREE.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO DISMISSIVE AND NEGLECT  OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE STATE ON IT,   CITY IS ON IT, FEDERAL ON IT, MAKE SURE WE GET  THE RESOURCES THAT WE ARE IN A SAFE COMMUNITY   AND WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP WATCHING OUR BACKS.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FEEL THAT IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH   CRISIS?

>> NO.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SURGEON  GENERAL SHOULD BE OPINING ON.

THIS IS A MATTER OF VALUES.

GOOD PEOPLE ON THE WEST SIDE.

GOOD PEOPLE ENTIRE STATE OF HAWAII.

GUN VIOLENCE YOU SEE IN THE WAY OF CRIME COMMITTED   BY PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE THAT IN THEIR MINDSET.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND I DON'T CLAIM TO BE   POLITICIAN ALL THE ANSWERS, BUT  THIS COMES DOWN TO FAMILY VALUES.

PEOPLE THAT CAN BE RAISED WITH FIREARMS.

PARENTS TEACH THEM HOW TO USE THEM BECAUSE   THEY ARE TOOL.

SECURE THEM.

13‑YEAR‑OLDS THAT KNOW HOW TO USE FIREARMS.

KNOW NOT TO USE THEM CRIMINAL FASHION.

IN THIS COUNTRY, SINCE FUNDING OF THE COUNTRY,  WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD FIREARMS IN OUR HOUSES.

IT'S A MATTER OF NOT USING  THEM TO DO CRIMINAL PURPOSES.

WHETHER YOU USE A FIREARM OR KNIFE, OR  YOU JUST ATTACK SOMEBODY, BECAUSE THAT   IS THE WAY YOU RESOLVE THINGS, THAT  IS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THE PROBLEM.

IT'S NOT THE TOOL.

SO FOR A LOT OF GOOD   PEOPLE ON WEST SIDE AND WHETHER 20 MORE  PEOPLE TOMORROW BOUGHT FIREARMS OR NOBODY,   ISN'T GOING TO MAKE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE THE SAME  PEOPLE THAT ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS OUT THERE THAT   ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES CAUSING PROBLEMS.

>> I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT, GO TO HPD'S   WEBSITE AND LOOK AND ONE OF THE FASCINATING THINGS  I SAW WAS, EVEN A LITTLE BIT MORE CRIME WHEN YOU   ADD PROPERTY CRIME, EAST HONOLULU.

THAN THERE IS ON WEST SIDE.

IT'S JUST THAT THE LAST COUPLE OF  YEARS, YOU'VE HAD MORE GUN VIOLENCE.

WHAT THEY NEED, I THINK WOULD REALLY HELP  WOULD BE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AT THE   TWO HIGH SCHOOLS AND TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

THEY COULD STOP SO MANY THINGS THAT NATURE,   THAT AREA, BECKLY REALLY GOOD, THEY HAVE  500 CALLS TO THE SCHOOLS FOR THINGS THAT   PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED THERE.

MOST PEOPLE ON WAIANAE COAST ARE HONEST,   HARD‑WORKING FEW PEOPLE GIVING IT A BAD NAME.

I THINK HAVE TO BE EFFORTS TO WORK WITH YOUNG   PEOPLE ABOUT SOLVING DISPUTES  WITHOUT GOING TO A GUN.

WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CASES, WEIGHED TO BE  JUVENILES TRIED AS ADULT.

INSTEAD OF FIGHTING   WITH THEIR FISTS, IMMEDIATELY GOES TO THE GUN.

LAST FEW YEARS BEFORE THAT, REALLY WERE ONLY   COUPLE OF EVERY ONE IS HURTFUL,  COUPLE OF HOMICIDES WEST SIDE.

COUPLE OF YEARS, THAT NUMBER REALLY GONE UP.

THERE ARE REALLY GOOD VIOLENCE PREVENTION   PROGRAMS AROUND COUNTRY.

WE'RE LOOK AT.

WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THERE.

OFTEN MEANS GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE   GOTTEN IN TROUBLE THEMSELVES OUT IN THE  COMMUNITY TALKING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE,   TALK TO GROUP, TALKING TO GANG WANNABES ABOUT  SOLVING PROBLEMS BEFORE IT GETS TO BE SHOOTING.

>>Lauren: SPEAKING SOLVING PROBLEM.

I GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO   TALK ABOUT ADVISORY COUNCIL.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO TO TRY AND PREVENT VIOLENCE?

TELL US ABOUT THE WORK.

>> WE HAVE A LEAD ADVISORY COUNCIL   FOR EVERY TOWN FOR GUN SAFETY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

3 DOZEN VETERANS IN MANY STATES, WHO ARE DEDICATED   TO THAT IDEA THAT MILITARY, WE LEARNED  ABOUT TRAINING SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHEN IT COMES TO GUNS LOOKING FOR THAT SAME  TRAINING SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN OUR   CIVILIAN GUN LAWS, GUN CULTURE, WORK WITH THE  NATION'S LARGEST GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION TO TRY   TO BRING SOME OF THAT COMMON SENSE, COMMON SENSE  THAT GUN FAMILIARITY THAT WE HAVE IN THE MILITARY.

I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE COME FROM A PROFESSION  OF ARMS CAN SPEAK A LITTLE MORE INTELLIGENTLY   ABOUT THESE WEAPONS THAT THEY USE.

>>Lauren: COUPLE MINUTES LEFT,   READ OFF TWO COMMENTS.

I THINK IT SPEAK TO WHAT   WE'RE DOING HERE TONIGHT ON INSIGHTS.

WE NEED MORE SHOWS LIKE THIS THAT FOSTER   DISCUSSION AND HELP EDUCATE US ON OUR LAWS.

THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.

AND TINA SAID, PUBLIC EDUCATION ON  THESE ISSUES, SEEMS TO BE LACKING.

WE NEED MORE OUTREACH TO HELP  US UNDERSTAND HOW OUR LAWS WORK.

I WANTED TO READ THOSE OFF.

LEADS  INTO OTHER VIEWER'S QUESTION.

NOT JUST PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK HERE AT PBS  FOR GIVING AN HOUR FOR THIS TYPE OF DISCUSSION.

>> QUICKLY HERE WEIGH IN ON IT.

WOULD PUBLIC OUTREACH ON WHAT IS   ALLOWED AND WHAT IS NOT HELP?

IT SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD.

>> LAWS ARE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND  IN THE WAY THEY ARE WRITTEN.

WE MENTIONED TOP OF THE SHOW.

MOST OF US ARE NOT ATTORNEYS.

HOW DO WE MAKE PEOPLE  UNDERSTAND THAT IS FROM ANNIE.

BEFORE WE GO, LOVE TO HEAR DO YOU GUYS THAT THIS  IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS MORE PUBLIC OUTREACH,   NEEDS MORE EDUCATION?

>> I'LL SAY YES.

EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE IS ALWAYS A BEST  TOOL TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY WELL INFORMED.

SO I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

ALWAYS A GOOD TOOL.

WHAT WILL SAY ABOUT OUR COAST AND  DISTRICT, IN OUR EFFORTS FAR OUR   COMMUNITY, WE HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

WE HAVE CHURCHES THAT ARE INVOLVED.

SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, KUPUNA.

WE HAVE LAW MAKERS.

EVERYBODY   REALLY CHIPPING IN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REALLY  MAKE THAT CONNECTION FROM THE GROUND UP.

ABSOLUTELY TO THE EDUCATION PART.

>>Lauren: ATTORNEY PERSPECTIVE, NEEDS TO BE MORE   EDUCATION ON LAWS MORE OUTREACH TO CLARIFY THEM?

>> I THINK SO.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH  OUR OFFICE IS HAVE FEW OF THE DEPUTIES GOING   OUT AND WORKING WITH THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.

MEETING WITH THE KIDS THAT ARE TRUANT ALREADY.

MISSED 20 DAYS OF SCHOOL IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER, HEADED TO BE BOOTED OUT.

SO IT'S MEETING WITH THEM.

TRYING TO TALK TO THEM.

A LOT OF DISCOURAGED ATTITUDES AREN'T GREAT.

SHOW THEM GRADUATE FROM HIGH   SCHOOL, MAKE MORE MONEY IN YOUR LIFE.

MAKE MORE MONEY IN YOUR LIFE.

DEPUTIES   ARE GOOD, TALK ABOUT FAMILY HISTORIES,  GROUP IN HOUSE WITH WEAPONS, FAMILIES   WITH DRUGS, TRYING TO CONNECT WITH THE KIDS.

I THINK A LOT OF EFFORTS THAT I APPRECIATE ALL   THE EFFORTS THAT THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE DOING  ON THE WEST SIDE OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE ISLAND,   MORE PEOPLE, THAT'S A REALLY TOUGH THING TO  TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE LAWS.

I THINK MORE OF THAT WE CAN DO, THE BETTER.

>>Lauren: JUST ONE MINUTE LEFT.

ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO ADD ON THAT NEED  MORE PUBLIC OUTREACH LETTING PEOPLE KNOW   ABOUT OUR LAWS AND CLARIFY IT.

>> I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR.

MORE EDUCATION ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

I THINK THAT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO FLOW   FROM GOVERNMENT.

THERE ARE PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS.

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF ORGANIZATIONS WITH REGARD   TO FIREARMS SPECIFICALLY THAT WILL HELP  YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE THEM AS TOOLS.

AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THEM.

DOESN'T NECESSARILY FLOW FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

AND I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR WE NEED IS FAMILIES  AND COMMUNITIES BECAUSE FAMILIES AN COMMUNITIES   HELP THOSE PEOPLE LEARN NOT TO USE THEIR  FIST IS NOT USE KNIVES, NOT TO COMMIT CRIMES.

>> AND PROSECUTOR SAID,  MR. ALM SAID, STAY IN SCHOOL.

IF THESE KIDS ARE ALREADY GOING DOWN THERE, SCHOOL  RESOURCE OFFICERS, AND PROSECUTORS ARE GREAT.

WHERE IS THE FAMILY OF THESE KIDS  MISSED A MONTH OF SCHOOL ALREADY?

>>Lauren: I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU  FOR COMING OUT.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR GUESTS TUNING  IN SENDING IN THE QUESTIONS.

AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS ‑ HONOLULU PROSECUTOR STEVE ALM  AND ATTORNEY KEVIN O’GRADY.

AND SENATOR‑ELECT SAMANTHA DECORTE AND CHRIS MARVIN OF  THE EVERYTOWN VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, A GROWING NUMBER OF STATES AND  SCHOOLS ARE BANNING OR RESTRICTING CELL PHONES IN THE  CLASSROOM.

WE’LL DISCUSS WHAT THE RULES  ARE IN HAWAII AND HOW SOME SCHOOLS ARE ENFORCING A BAN.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON  PBS HAWAI`I.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.