Two bills aimed at gun violence and a third that increases penalties for crimes against senior citizens became law Thursday with Gov. David Ige’s signature.

>> The latest version of House Bill 490 increases penalties for crimes against victims 60 years or older, including intentional bodily injury, unauthorized entry into a dwelling, theft or forgery. It also applies to perpetrators “who should reasonably know” that their victims are 60 years or older, Ige said at a signing ceremony at the state Capitol.

In a statement, state Rep. Troy Hashimoto (D, Waihee-Waiehu-Wailuku) said, “Our kupuna deserve to feel safe in our local community and we must have these additional protections in place as a deterrent for any bad actors. If anyone decides to hurt or take advantage of our seniors, they will face harsher punishment.”

>> The latest version of House Bill 1366 closes a loophole in state laws that already prohibit the manufacture, purchase or obtaining of firearm parts to assemble so-called “ghost guns” that lack a serial number and are nearly impossible to trace. The new law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, also makes it a Class C felony to possess the same firearm parts. Owners of existing “ghost guns” can surrender them to their county police departments.

“By closing a serious loophole in current laws prohibiting ghost guns, HB 1366 will help protect our communities by keeping these unmarked, unregistered guns off our streets,” state Rep. Patrick Pihana Branco (D, Kailua-Kaneohe), who pushed the bill, said in a statement. “Mahalo to the Attorney General’s office and county police departments for their support in getting this important legislation passed.”

>> The latest version of House Bill 31 raises the age of safe firearm storage to 18 years from 16.

State Rep. Gregg Taka­yama (D, Pearl City-Waimalu- Pacific Palisades), in a statement, called the new law “a common-sense measure aimed at protecting 16- and 17-year-olds, who are statistically the most prone to attempting suicide. This is not an added burden for responsible gun owners, who already recognize the importance of safely securing their firearms from other family members, visitors and intruders. The addition of this bill will aide in promoting weapon safety for generations to come.”