Reporting Discharge of firearm

[David M]

Unfortunately, I no longer feel safe with the discharge of firearms in proximity to my property. Can anyone point me to the local county/state rules regarding this issue? Would such reporting be a 911 call or is there a non emergency number more appropriate?

David

Ninole Resident

[JerryCarr]

David, unless you have observed a crime in progress, an injury, or something directly threatening someone's immediate safety, this would be a "non-emergency" call. (I know that someone shooting guns near your home would seem like an immediate threat, but the police probably won't see it that way.) Since this seems to be an on-going issue, you should state that to the dispatcher and give any specific identifying information regarding the person(s) and/or location. Always give your name and phone number along with a request for a follow-up call from the investigating officer. Non-emergency calls with the complainant's identifying info and request for follow-up tend to get more serious attention than anonymous calls.

[PaulW]

Keaau Police non-emergency number: 935-3311
(not sure if this applies to you, but you could ask there)

[David M]

Yes, this would be non emergency, basically hunters and 1 neighbor.

David

Ninole Resident

[Kelena]

Totally different. Frank Zappa sang "My guitar wants to kill your mama..." But did his guitar ever kill anyone's mama? No. Stray bullets do.

[David M]

quote:

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Originally posted by dakine

I live near people that exercise their right to own and use guns, and though I find their 'target' practice to be a bit much sometimes, I sure do appreciate that it creates a balance to any disturbance I might create (like cranking up my guitar amp a bit more than usual occasionally). and, with folks blowing off their firearms near by I feel a lot less vulnerable to my property being trespassed upon. its a catch 22 I know.. but like I say if they are exercising their rights, maybe they'll leave me alone when I exercise mine!

http://akamaidesign.com

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Until last Saturday morning, I was in agreement with you.
If discharge of firearms is completely legal near my property then I'll not report it, but if illegal, I'll be reporting it. I did find a number for the No. Hilo station.
I would still like to read the appropriate code if someone can point me to them.

David

Ninole Resident

[Pilgrim]

I'm going to say first that I do enjoy in a lot of ways not feeling like I need to own a gun anymore, living where I do now days. Where I lived before a gun was a thing every body had (and pretty much needed) like a hammer, tool belt or wallet.

There were a couple of old guys who lived a mile or so apart near me who would actually communicate by shooting off their rifles a certain number of times (no cell coverage out there). One guy would let the other one know he had been to town and had bought beer with two shots- so come over. Two shots in reply meant "I'm on the way" and just one meant "I don't feel like coming". It took me about a year to find this out, and it was kinda cool to hear and be able to interpret this olde west sorta telegraph in the distance.

Likewise, people would demonstrate just what they were packing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. In the country, where there is a lot of space, it felt pretty cool - your neighbors and you, all saying "we're here and strong (and pretty much drunk) so don't mess with us", very loudly.

But in more populated places stray bullets rain down on innocent folk's houses every New Year's Eve, so they now discourage the practice of shooting in the air there.

I think the important question is WHO is shooting? It's probably one of your neighbors. You should go and see what they're about ...maybe even with a six pack or something to share - even though it probably feels pretty awkward. It may be that they're jerks - but it may also be that you all can get along and you'll be happy to have them as neighbors. That's what I hope happens.

Aloha

[PaulW]

David M, are you in a residential area? If so, discharging a firearm is illegal, if I remember past discussions on Punaweb correctly.

[oink]

One of the applicable laws:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent...7-0714.htm

and for entertainment purposes a past thread:
http://www.punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7535&whichpage=1&SearchTerms=discharging%2Cfirearms

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[force]

My mom was working outside in her greenhouse and was just a few feet away from where some stray bullets hit. Im very pro gun, but "exercising your rights" doesnt include acting irresponsibly and firing weapons in residential areas.

As an aside, we knew we wwho did the shooting but charges were never brought against them.