Hawaii Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Hawaii have an Assault Weapons Ban? | ✅ Yes for pistols. State bans “assault pistols” with ≥2 features, and limits handgun magazines to 10 rounds. Expanded ban (SB 401) targeting rifles/shotguns is pending. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. All firearm transfers require a permit-to-acquire, which includes a background check (HRS §134‑2). |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Permits-to-acquire require FBI fingerprint check; dealers comply with federal NICS. |
| Is Hawaii a Stand Your Ground state? | 🚫 No. Hawaii enforces “duty to retreat” and requires permit for public carry. |
| What kind of restrictions does Hawaii have? |
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| Does Hawaii have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes. H.B. 125 (Apr 2025) mandates secure storage—locked box/safe or trigger lock. Violations are misdemeanors. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Hawaii? | 🚫 No permit exceptions—you need separate permits for each handgun, long-gun permit lasts 1 year. |
| Does Hawaii have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. Gun Violence Protective Orders enacted Jan 1, 2020—any qualifying petitioner can seek ERPO. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
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| Do I have to register my guns in Hawaii? | ✅ Yes. Must register all firearms within 3 days (if from out-of-state) or 5 days (if purchased in-state). |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | ✅ Yes. Permit-to-acquire required per handgun, valid 10 days; long-gun permit separate. |
| Does Hawaii have a waiting period for firearms? | ✅ Yes. Permit-to-acquire involves a 14–20 day waiting period for background and processing. |
✅ Yes for pistols. State bans “assault pistols” with ≥2 features, and limits handgun magazines to 10 rounds. Expanded ban (SB 401) targeting rifles/shotguns is pending.
✅ Yes. All firearm transfers require a permit-to-acquire, which includes a background check (HRS §134‑2).
✅ Yes. Permits-to-acquire require FBI fingerprint check; dealers comply with federal NICS.
🚫 No. Hawaii enforces “duty to retreat” and requires permit for public carry.
- ℹ️ Permit required for every firearm purchase (handguns & long guns)
- ℹ️ Firearms must be registered within 3–5 days of acquisition or arrival
- ℹ️ Handgun magazine limit: 10 rounds; assault-pistol ban in place
- ℹ️ Waiting period: minimum 14–20 days for permits
- ℹ️ Red-flag (ERPO) law in effect since Jan 1, 2020
- ℹ️ Strict regulation on NFA items and prohibited persons
✅ Yes. H.B. 125 (Apr 2025) mandates secure storage—locked box/safe or trigger lock. Violations are misdemeanors.
🚫 No permit exceptions—you need separate permits for each handgun, long-gun permit lasts 1 year.
✅ Yes. Gun Violence Protective Orders enacted Jan 1, 2020—any qualifying petitioner can seek ERPO.
- ℹ️ Must be 21+ to acquire any firearm; 18+ for minors only under parental supervision for hunting/target shooting.
✅ Yes. Must register all firearms within 3 days (if from out-of-state) or 5 days (if purchased in-state).
✅ Yes. Permit-to-acquire required per handgun, valid 10 days; long-gun permit separate.
✅ Yes. Permit-to-acquire involves a 14–20 day waiting period for background and processing.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Hawaii allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal **with a Hawaii LTC (License to Carry)**; without it, open carry (including in vehicles) is a class B felony. |
| Does Hawaii allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal **with LTC**, issued county-by-county; unlicensed concealed carry is a felony. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ LTC technically covers them, but no specific legal guarantee—open/carry rules focus on handguns. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ LTC allows carry at most public/private places—but LTC does **not override bans** on state parks, schools, courts, bars, etc. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 LTC does **not override** restricted zones: schools, federal buildings, parks, bars, polling places, and other sensitive areas. |
| States honored? | 🚫 None. Hawaii does **not recognize** any other state’s carry permit—no reciprocal carry agreements. |
| States reciprocate? | 🚫 **None.** Hawaii issues only county LTCs to residents—no reciprocity. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 4 Years from the date of issuance |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Concealed carry permits, officially known as "Licenses to Carry," are issued by the Chief of Police in each respective county |
✅ Legal **with a Hawaii LTC (License to Carry)**; without it, open carry (including in vehicles) is a class B felony.
✅ Legal **with LTC**, issued county-by-county; unlicensed concealed carry is a felony.
✅ LTC technically covers them, but no specific legal guarantee—open/carry rules focus on handguns.
✅ LTC allows carry at most public/private places—but LTC does **not override bans** on state parks, schools, courts, bars, etc.
🚫 LTC does **not override** restricted zones: schools, federal buildings, parks, bars, polling places, and other sensitive areas.
🚫 None. Hawaii does **not recognize** any other state’s carry permit—no reciprocal carry agreements.
🚫 **None.** Hawaii issues only county LTCs to residents—no reciprocity.
ℹ️ 4 Years from the date of issuance
🚫 No. Only handguns.
ℹ️ Concealed carry permits, officially known as "Licenses to Carry," are issued by the Chief of Police in each respective county
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Permit & Registration | |
| Hunter & Safety Training | |
| Licensing Data | |
| Gun Laws Summary |
Hawaii Leadership
- Born: February 11, 1970 (Kingston, NY)
- Term Started: December 5, 2022
- Previous Role: Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
- Born: November 3, 1947 (Fangshan, Taiwan)
- Term Started: Since January 3, 2013
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Judiciary
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Veterans’ Affairs
- Born: October 20, 1972 (Ann Arbor, MI)
- Term Started: Since December 26, 2012
- Committees:
- Appropriations
- Commerce Science and Transportation
- Indian Affairs (Chair)
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs