07-24-2013, 05:20 PM
This year has been unusual. For prior years where stats are available, Kauai has actually had the highest rate for a long time. Regardless, it's much lower here than almost anywhere else in the country; and the rate of murders and aggravated assaults with guns is even lower (most are done with other weapons, which tend to be less fatal).
The biggest difference between Hawaii and other states is distance. Our strict gun laws actually work here because you can't just hop over the state line to a less restrictive state (like Indiana next to Illinois, or New Hampshire next to Massachusetts), buy up 200 guns in a day, and sell them to your buddies. Even doing it illegally, it takes significant effort that most people (including most criminals) aren't willing to do.
The biggest difference between Hawaii and other states is distance. Our strict gun laws actually work here because you can't just hop over the state line to a less restrictive state (like Indiana next to Illinois, or New Hampshire next to Massachusetts), buy up 200 guns in a day, and sell them to your buddies. Even doing it illegally, it takes significant effort that most people (including most criminals) aren't willing to do.