LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) resumed limited firearms records operations on March 31 and is expected to expand to full-service operations by appointment only on April 7.
The resumption of services was due to support from Gov. David Ige and the Hawai‘i Criminal Justice Data Center.
“I appreciate Governor Ige accepting the county police chiefs’ requests to suspend the deadline for firearms registrations as required under HRS chapter 134,” said Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck. “Additionally, we now have a portable LiveScan fingerprint device loaned to KPD from the Department of the Attorney General’s Hawai‘i Criminal Justice Center, that will enable KPD records personnel to maintain safe social distancing practices while conducting mandatory fingerprinting for some firearms transactions.”
KPD’s Records Section suspended all services to the public, including firearms transactions on March 23, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect the health and well-being of KPD employees and members of the community.
KPD records personnel conduct fingerprinting services for employment purposes, permits to acquire a firearm, and some firearms registrations.
Prior to obtaining the portable LiveScan device at KPD, fingerprinting placed a records clerk within 24 inches of a member of the public. The proximity to persons being fingerprinted and a nationwide shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) prevented records personnel access to an adequate supply of protection thereby, not allowing police employees to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
During the closure, KPD personnel have been developing online forms for firearms registration and permit to acquire firearms applications to better serve the public and reduce the need for people to appear in person to complete the documents.
The portable LiveScan fingerprint device is expected to be fully installed and operational by April 7.
“I want to thank the community for their understanding and patience as KPD worked diligently to resume firearms transactions,” said Chief Raybuck. “I support the right to keep and bear arms and delaying firearms transactions was a very difficult decision. However, the necessity of slowing the spread of COVID-19 was compelling, and a temporary suspension of services, along with the corresponding registration deadlines while we instituted a technological solution, was the least obtrusive way to accomplish that goal.”
Priority appointments will be given to individuals seeking to obtain or who are currently in possession of a permit to acquire a firearm, as well as those persons registering firearms for the first time in Hawai‘i. Please call 241-1929 to make an appointment.
Details regarding the online firearms application process will be released once the process has been completed.
