Gun violence in Hawaii raises questions about minors' access to firearms

Sep 29, 2026

A string of recent shootings in Hawaii, including teens arrested in Waikiki and a 12-year-old caught with a gun at school, is putting pressure on lawmakers and parents alike.

  • Three teenagers, 16 and 17, were arrested after gunfire near the International Marketplace in Waikiki late Saturday; no one was hurt.
  • The cases follow a deadly shooting days earlier, and a 12-year-old was found with a gun in his school backpack.
  • Hawaii already has strict storage and parental responsibility laws, so the real question is where the guns are coming from.
  • Untraceable homemade "ghost guns" are seen as the main gap, with adults blamed for letting kids get their hands on weapons.

Outlook: Lawmakers are expected to push new bills holding gun owners more accountable, but little will change until officials trace how these guns reach minors.

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