HONOLULU (KHON2) – Chris Marvin is a seven-year veteran of the United States Army. He was injured during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2004 which forced him into medical retirement. Memorial Day is a time when he remembers those with whom he served and who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Think who they would really want to protect today,” said Chris Marvin, a U.S. Army veteran and Everytown for Gun Safety consultant. “I think it was those 19 kids in Texas. It’s the teenagers here who are on the wrong foot and are fighting and using these weapons. »
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The veteran said the recent gun violence is the opposite of what those who risk their lives are fighting for.
“I served in the military, and I went into combat and in that moment I understood the seriousness of having a gun in your hands and having the ability to potentially carry a human life. I’m concerned. A lot of people who own guns don’t think about that,” Marvin said.
Honolulu police are investigating several gun-related cases. HPD is looking for two separate attempted murder suspects. One in a shooting in Waikiki that happened on May 25 and another in Moilili on May 20. Police are also still investigating the Thomas Square shooting.
“Hawaii was about to be one of those mass shootings,” Marvin said. “One more victim in the Thomas Square shooting and we would have been one of those mass shootings. It’s a problem that touches us closely and happens more often than most people realize.
It’s not just Oahu, Maui police are seeing an increase in phantom gun cases. The Maui Police Department is seeing an increase in phantom gun cases. MPD picked up 16 Ghost Guns in April, down from 11 for all of 2021.
“We also want residents of not just Maui, but across the state to come forward anonymously and report anyone who may be in possession of or making these illegal ghost weapons,” said Randy Esperanzo, deputy chief of the police.
Marvin said the recent gun violence across the state should be a wake-up call for more to be done.
“Make sure you keep guns away from dangerous people,” Marvin said. “Making sure our background check systems are strong and have no loopholes. Ensure that people who have firearms receive proper training and store them safely.
The army veteran said the military was fighting for protection, peace and security, but everyone needed to help.
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“We owe it to these military to protect people from gun violence,” Marvin said.
