HONOLULU — A new Hawaii law prevents the state government from seizing legal firearms during an emergency.

Gov. Linda Lingle signed the measure Wednesday.

The law prohibits the seizure of firearms or ammunition when the government invokes emergency powers during a disaster.

It arose from concerns following February's tsunami warning, when residents asked lawmakers if their legal weapons could be taken in an emergency situation.

Sen. Sam Slom, a Republican representing Hawaii Kai, says law-abiding gun-owning citizens were concerned that police wouldn't be able to protect everyone during a major emergency.

Gun-rights activists have pursued this kind of law since Hurricane Katrina, when New Orleans police confiscated guns in an attempt to restore order.

The bill is SB358.