‘Rap Back’ law goes against federal law

Gov. David Ige may think he brought us community safety by signing Senate Bill 2954 (the Rap Back bill). But government placing law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights on an FBI database goes against everything our Founding Fathers gave us in the Constitution.

There is also the federal Firearm Owners’ Protection Act of 1986, which provides that “no regulation may require: (1) the transfer of records required under this Act to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State; or (2) the establishment of any system of registration of firearms, firearm owners, or firearm transactions.”

One out of four Americans owns a gun. As the governor pats himself on the back, consequences of his naivete are coming in the form of lawsuits and declining tourism. People are not going to give up the foundation of liberty to those trying to regulate us into submission.

Will he next subvert my First Amendment rights and database me for speaking my mind?

Dennis Bosworth

Kekaha, Kauai

We have to stop listening to NRA

The day after the Orlando murders, TV talk show host Stephen Colbert could not say anything funny because his heart was heavy. He debated guns with Bill O’Reilly, who asserted that we won the Revolutionary War with guns and the Founders wanted to be sure citizens could defend themselves.

Colbert read the Second Amendment: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

State militias fought the Revolutionary War. The Founders must have wanted to ensure that we had the right to defend ourselves from an oppressive government, or to defend the state against foreign forces. They could not have meant that we all have the right to possess assault rifles intended for military and police use.

How many first-graders and vital young people must be murdered before we stop listening to the National Rifle Association?

Nancy N. Grekin

Makiki Heights

Dismissed UH player was big loss for team

That collective groan you just heard was from the University of Hawaii’s diminutive, but hopefully growing, football team fan base.

Kennedy Tulimasealii was dismissed from the team for violating the student athlete code of conduct after pleading no contest to various charges (“Dismissed: Warriors drop Tulimasealii,” Star-Advertiser, June 28). UH was correct in its actions; Tulimasealii was wrong. We must support the female victim.

Arguably one of the best — if not the best — defensive player on the team and an NFL prospect, Tulimasealii was the anchor, mainstay and go-to guy when something had to be done on defense.

How long do you think it will be before he shows up on another Division I team’s roster? After all, there were at least two talented players that came to UH that way during the reign of former coach June Jones.

This is one case where the loss of one is the loss for all.

Chip Davey

Downtown Honolulu

Brower’s actions could affect funding

State Rep. Tom Brower taking a sledgehammer to the shopping carts used by unsheltered individuals in 2013 contributed more to the islands’ response to homelessness than the assault against him, although it was unfortunate and indicative of dangerous tensions in our capital city (“Eyes wide open,” Star-Advertiser, June 26).

His retaliatory actions against those he found “disgusting” did two things. First, it justified the culture of judgment and acrimony many in our community feel regarding our unsheltered population, which impedes the compassion necessary to house them. Second, it opened up the conversation about homeless rights in our state that recently resulted in the American Civil Liberties Union stepping in to fund and promote lawsuits regarding sweeps.

Ultimately, these actions could affect the federal funding our state receives for projects to reduce homelessness, of which we are in dire need.

Sydney Morrow

Liliha

Bus hub already at Middle Street

Regarding the termination of rail transit at Middle Street: Consider that Middle Street is where the main bus hub is located.

Buses leave there constantly for downtown and beyond, using School Street, King Street, Dillingham Boulevard and Nimitz Highway — an inconvenient transfer but no delays.

Those who suggest extending rail to Chinatown need to realize that a vast area is required to house a terminal as well as a park-and-ride. Should we tear up Aala Park?

I’m all for taking rail “at grade” on Nimitz Highway beginning at either the airport or Middle Street and on to Ala Moana Center. A few strategic stations along the route should suffice.

Plan it now and we will still be on schedule. Use municipal bonds and the private sector to defray the cost. Complete it now, as the cost will only escalate.

Dennis “DJ” Freitas

Kaneohe

Airport has little parking available

I recently read a letter from a reader regarding parking problems at the Honolulu International Airport (“Airport lacks enough parking,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, June 15).

As I read, I was nodding my head, agreeing completely.

We also have found it very difficult to find parking on a regular basis — and don’t even think about holidays.

As the letter writer said, one can see all kinds of open spots through the parking barrier — all labeled for rental cars.

Why wasn’t location considered when this rental car facility was built?

It has taken away parking spaces from the largest carriers that serve Honolulu, and passengers must now park a long distance from the major airlines, then schlep their luggage to the check-in area, or back from baggage claim.

The rental car facility would have been better located in the middle of the airport or at a consolidated facility off the airport property, as is done at so many well-designed airports.

Carol Schmus

Mililani