More concerns about H.R. 5717
I would like to echo Mr. Yoder’s concerns about H.R. 5717 and respectfully request that any attempt to further legislate legal firearm and ammunition acquisition be abandoned. Adding more red-tape, such as a federal license, to acquire a firearm goes against the spirit and intent of the second amendment. It is already very difficult for the people of Hawaii to obtain a firearm legally and, as a result, many people do not register their firearms.
Wouldn’t it be better to make the process less difficult so that the people will follow laws to register their firearms? I was always taught that locks are made for honest people. Meaning, a lock will keep an honest person from doing something they know they should not do…. But a lock will never prevent a burglar from committing a crime. The more difficult you make legal firearm ownership, the more illegal ownership we will see. It is self-defeating. The truth is, the supreme court ruled that it is not the duty of the police force to provide personal protection for citizens. They simply cannot be at all places at all times and therefore are unable to guarantee protection. That means, it is our own responsibility to be able to defend and protect ourselves.
Please don’t add more red-tape to an already cumbersome process. We, law abiding citizens, have a right and a duty to protect our families when the police force is unable to do so. Adding red-tape just makes it more difficult for us, but will never stop a criminal. Thank you for your consideration.
Misty Cluett, Kalaheo
Silly to require tested, returning residents to quarantine
College students get an exemption from quarantine if they get a negative virus test within 72 hours of flying to Hawai‘i.
What do returning Kaua‘i residents get?
Nothing. It is 48 hours before my wife and I fly home to Kaua‘i after my surgery in California. We both got negative virus tests today. After landing on Kaua‘i we could get tested again, but what’s the point?
The governor says consecutive multiple negative tests will not exempt anyone from quarantine. Our mayor seems reluctant to ask the governor to grant a two-test exemption, as recommended by his own committee, even if in only applies to permanent Kaua‘i residents.
Why not?
George Hinds, Koloa
Dear George, you start by writing “College students get an exemption from quarantine if they get a negative virus test within 72 hours of flying to Hawai‘i.”
Is that true? Are you referring to ALL college students? Are you referring to Hawaii resident college students? Or mainland students coming to Hawaii to study?
This is the first I have heard about a quarantine exemption for students. I have only heard about quarantine exemptions for members of the military and certain “essential workers”.
Who is considered an “essential worker”?
If you cannot accurately clarify, perhaps The Garden Island newspaper can do some investigation and clarify to the public exactly who earns an exemption and who does not.
We all deserve to know, don’t you think?
Yes, Kauaiboy. There are student exemptions. Check the UH website for details.
In part, the “exemption” (really a loosened quarantine) reads:
To qualify for the “modified quarantine bubble,” students must show proof upon arrival of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their departure or within 48 hours after arrival. Regardless of where the student has been tested, until the negative test results are received, the students must follow Hawaiʻi’s current mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers. Students can transition to the modified quarantine once they show proof of a negative test and compliance with the other requirements.
Students who violate the terms of this exemption will be subject to sanctions for violation of the universities’ student conduct codes. Violations should be reported to COVID19@hawaii.edu and they will be forwarded to designated officials at the respective campuses. Violations of the COVID-19 related emergency government orders are punishable by a fine up to $5,000 and/or up to a year in prison.
Hey George, I’ll see if I can guess “why not”… Um, maybe because the health benefit to all island residents more than offsets a temporary inconvenience to you?
Here’s a question for you: Other residents are happy that the mayor is implementing these restrictions to save their lives, but you appear to feel differently.
Why?
I don’t like it. Did I miss the voting period, or did we nominate an island spokesperson for the assumed majority?
That’s a big leap in interpretation to justify your bias.
“restrictions to save their lives”. You are a sheep, and you must be either a Trust Fund Baby or on the Government dole (freebies). The Governor and mayors are only concerned with “perception” and reelection. If you are under 50, then you have the same chance of dying in a car accident then “because of” COVID-19. Let me guess,… you get in your car 5 times a day and this does not cross your mind? SMH.
Pretty much wrong on all counts. Sums up what I have learned to expect from your contributions.
Mr. Hinds poses a very valid question that elected leadership has refused to address. Please Mr. Ige, show leadership unlike you did at Mauna Kea.
Patrick Flores, Wailua Houselots
Here we go, a new soap box topic for Misty Cluett. Tired of anti-COVID ranting? Nobody signing up for more protests? Unsuccessful with your lawsuit against Governor Ige?
I have no idea why anyone would want to live in a place that makes them so miserable! Perhaps you should consider Chicago? Rumor has it you can get guns easily there, and unlike Kaua’i you’ll have ample opportunity to “defend and protect” yourself in the Windy City. *They also have a mandatory mask rule. Shucks!
You need to do a little more research, it seems like you’re presenting information that is intentionally false to support a liberal narrative. Chicago is a liberal city, and as such as some of the tightest gun laws in the country. Adding “rumor has it..” isn’t an excuse for blatant lies. Use google, it helps. And in spite of its strict stance on gun-ownership, it has one of the highest murder rates in the US. Most of the weapons used in these crimes are ILLEGAL, so please explain how gun laws apply to criminals and firearms which are already illegal. Ill wait…
Most of Chicago’s gun laws were struck down a while back. Yes, the guns are usually illegal anyway, but would be in most jurisdictions, too. Much of the trouble is that Chicago lies close to several other states with much more lax restrictions, where illegally obtaining weapons is easier to do, then people drive across state lines. So what is desperately needed is a federal response – some sort of leadership – to combat guns being sold to people who shouldn’t get them (either because they are the end user who shouldn’t get it, or the ‘dealer’ who sells them).
HR 5717 is a Democrat Bill. There is zero Republicans on the Bill. Another House partisan legislation. The Democrats had best get GOP Co-Sponsors on their legislation.
You’re right, there SHOULD be GOP sponsors. I wonder why they refuse to deal with the issue.
“I need a gun to protect myself against Kauai residents.” Why is that, Misty? Are you that hard to get along with?
LJ: Let me repeat for you –
I said “Rumor has it you can get guns easily there.” Nowhere did I say they’d be acquired through legal, or illegal channels. You missed my point. Someone who feels they need a gun to “defend and protect themselves” here on Kaua’i is absurd. Misty might be happier living in a place where it’s not absurd, like Chicago, where they do have high crime.
Might want to brush up on your reading comprehension, it helps!