Hawaii just recently became the stupidest state in the country, which is really a shame based on the sheer beauty of the place alone. Sadly, I've never been there and it looks like I never will unless the lawmakers there get their heads out of their asses. I won't hold my breath out of fear of dying from lack of oxygen because at this point it's not looking good for the health of Hawaiian gun owners.
As our friends from Absolute Rights reported, they just passed some stringent laws down in the Aloha State that will put gun owners on a list. Actually, it's more of a federally managed database that reports back to Hawaii if you commit a crime in any other part of the country. For example, if you fly to Kentucky and commit a crime, accidentally or otherwise, the FBI will notify Hawaii who will then be able to revoke your ability to own guns if they feel it is necessary.
No doubt, those are some ridiculously strong laws (which also happen to be illegal, so we'll see how it works out). Something that they seem to forget, or never knew, is that there are millions of gun owners in this country. If law abiding gun owners were actually a problem, they'd have figured it out by now.
Another alarming law that was just passed is the simple fact that people there would be prohibited from ever buying a gun if they were deemed mentally unstable.
Now, I don't' want to get into a debate about which mental conditions make it okay to own a gun or not (not at this moment, anyway). But, what I do want to point out, is that if you're ever put on that mental list, the police can seize your guns and ammo, as well as prohibit you from buying any more. Just so you know, I'm about to put my tinfoil hat on, so if I start to sound a little nutty, you'll know why.
First, who gets to say which mental illnesses are worthy of taking away someone's Constitutional rights? I mean, what if I dip into a slight state of depression after my favorite niece's pet hamster dies? What if, after she gets a new hamster, I'm totally fine and the depression is over. But, what if I already talked to a psychologist about it and it slipped out that I like to go target shooting on the weekend? Does that psychologist, not even being a real doctor, get to put me on some sort of list because of a slight state of depression?
Which brings me to my second point: who puts me on the list of mental illnesses? Would I have to see a shrink? Or, is my general practitioner worthy enough to put me on that list once they learn that I own a gun? As I pointed out above, does the person even need to be a doctor?
Either way, these laws passed the vote, and will become law unless the people stand up to fight it. They would have some legal ground to stand on if they do, because a federally managed list isn't legal in America according to the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA). It's long and drawn out, but basically states that what Hawaii just did, cannot be done. If you want the exact terminology used, give the FOPA a read.
We are on a dangerous and slippery slope here, my friends. We are at a fork in the road, if you will. A time is coming when this may be the norm, and it seems like every day, our Constitutional rights are being challenged. They don't complain when they use their First Amendment right of free speech to attack the very right which protects it (otherwise known as the Second Amendment).
The Second protects the rest of our laws and keeps people in check. It isn't just for hunting. It isn't just for self-defense. Dare I say its original intent was actually to keep the government at bay? It was designed to keep the government from doing exactly what it is doing right now as it oppresses a free people. Last time, we went to war over a 3% tax hike on tea. This time, we're soft and will let anything ride, or so it currently seems.
Sound Off Gun Carriers! What do you think about Hawaii's new gun laws? Let us know in the comments below. Then, make sure you like the Bill of Rights Facebook Page!