Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-01-10
MAKING MURDER EASY.

Week after week and month after month the news
columns OF Hawaii papers have chronieled stories
the killing and wounding Of men, women and chill
dren by deadly weapons in fIe hands OF Irresponsible
men.
Moro than d year has elapsed since the crimes be
came 10 appalllngIy frequent that throughout the
teiait0ry editorials first suggested then urged, then
deatded thar the public officials take steps TO stop
the heterogeneous sale Of weapons and to check lille
aai carrying
z The county boards remain inert.
This situation calls for legislative action. such
action as il suggested BY the Maui News. Draw.
inf attention to the horrifying death Of baby few
days ago from a stray revolver bullet, the News
All innoccnt baby was killed last week By bullet
om revolver IN the hands Of an irresponsible field
MID The didn't intend to kill the child-in fact
didn't have any idea that his bullet had found living
i@nfk-snd win consequently not be punished for n
serious crime But BY what right did thai Porto Rcan
have that suns Was his lfe IN danger that he must
q be nfued1 Why the Chinese shopkecper permit
ia 70 sell the weapon 70 hIm7 These are questions
that have no legitimate answer except that the com
munity q not doing its duty when firearms be pro-
cured 81 anyone with the price to buy them. The
pn>e department n unrsyeling the Hamakuap s
ltVo'Yefs and large quantity Of ammunition had y
hee1 sold By Maui stores during the past month: and
part 70 persons who have absolutely no Ieet
ne coming Legislature fails to take some adequate
flep' b. ms matter Il vim be seriously derehct
police permit might be reQuired ct least high
license might be charged which would prevent small
fhopkcepers an over the islands from dealing IN small
firearms. The island Of Hawaii has had series OF
1WlI tragedies which could not have happened but for
0rc.fms IN improper hands. Maui has been more for
tunaie but the ptiful case Ct Hamakuapoko n warn
Ing pf what s likely to appen this mania for arm
i1EIs permitted 70 50 unchecked.
humber Of months ago the Star Bulletin showed
the inadequacy Of the present law governing the sale
81 deadly weapons and the axity OF its enforcement
A. u4nal all the public officials concerned promptly
pulsed responsibility on to someone else Nothing
e6ectiye was done to cope with very serious sit
nation
No nun should be allowed to purchase weapon
except With permit from the police. The police
me not ikfIy u rive. permits to irresponsible per-
.o1s for - a. their own interest and safety to-
tI>f. as'Ie a1ank inf,reapons Men now ip pqssess
sim Of deedl Weapons should be required to report
IS he police station and Register them and the police
should then take most Of these weapons away from
~. owners After certain date due publicity
having been given the fact possession Of weapons
.>@ie|etc3 a police headquarters should be made
serious ofenee Hawaii is playing with FIRE in allow
11 fti@ wholesale, unlPgulated traffic in guns, re
<ote<and Knives IN population where life is held
I'|1n and murder is more frequent now than bur-
.'.rX sneak lieyeIy Or hold-nps were decade ago.