Hawaii has some of the strictest concealed carry laws in the U.S. Concealed carry requires a permit, and Hawaii is a "may issue" state under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-9. In practice, permits are rarely issued. Applicants must demonstrate an "exceptional case" or "urgent need" (e.g., a specific threat to life), and the decision is at the discretion of the county police chief. Requirements include being 21 or older, passing a background check, completing a firearms training course (covering laws, safety, and shooting proficiency), and submitting fingerprints. Concealed carry is banned in "sensitive places" like schools, government buildings, and public parks (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-23). Violations can lead to felony charges, with penalties up to 7 years in prison.
Costs: Permit application fees are $10, but additional costs include fingerprinting ($30-$50) and training courses ($100-$200). Total costs typically range from $140 to $260.
Processing Time: Permit processing can take 120 days or longer, as the police chief has significant discretion, and appeals for denials can extend the process.
Renewal: Permits are valid for 1 year. Renewal requires reapplying, including retraining, at the same cost as the initial application.
Reciprocity: Hawaii does not recognize concealed carry permits from any other state, and no state recognizes Hawaii permits due to their rarity and strict issuance standards.
Open carry is effectively prohibited in Hawaii. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-9, a permit is required to carry a handgun openly in public, and permits are rarely issued (same "may issue" restrictions as concealed carry). Open carry of long guns (rifles and shotguns) is also prohibited in most public places without a permit (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-23). Carrying a firearm in a threatening manner can lead to charges of terroristic threatening (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 707-715). Violations can result in felony charges, with penalties up to 7 years in prison.
Hawaii has strict restrictions on firearm types. Assault weapons are banned, including certain semi-automatic rifles and pistols with specific features (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-8). Large-capacity magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) are prohibited for handguns (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-8). Silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and machine guns are banned beyond federal restrictions (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-8). Ghost guns must be serialized, and unserialized firearms are illegal (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-10.2). Certain individuals, such as felons or those with mental health issues, are prohibited from possessing firearms (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-7). Violations can lead to felony charges, with penalties up to 10 years in prison.
Costs: There are no additional state fees for restricted firearms since most are banned, but serialization of ghost guns may incur costs ($50-$100).
Interstate travel with firearms through or into Hawaii is heavily restricted. The federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) (18 U.S.C. § 926A) allows transport across state lines if you can legally possess the firearm in your starting and destination states. However, Hawaii law requires that all firearms be unloaded, in a locked container, and not accessible during travel (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-23). You must register the firearm with the county police within 72 hours of arrival if staying longer than 5 days (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-3). Firearms are banned in "sensitive places" like schools and government buildings (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-23). Violations can lead to felony charges, with penalties up to 7 years in prison.
Purchasing a firearm in Hawaii is highly regulated. A permit to acquire is required for all purchases, including private sales (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-2). You must be 21 to buy any firearm, pass a background check through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, and wait 14 days before taking possession (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-2). Permits require fingerprinting, a mental health check, and a safety course for handguns. There’s a limit of one handgun permit every 30 days. Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are banned (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-8). Certain individuals, like felons, cannot purchase firearms (Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-7).
Costs: Permit fees are $2 per firearm, but fingerprinting ($30-$50) and safety courses ($50-$100) add to the cost. Total fees per purchase are typically $82-$152.
Processing Time: Background checks and permit processing can take up to 14 days, matching the waiting period.
Hawaii requires registration of all firearms. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-3, you must register every firearm with the county police within 5 days of acquisition or arrival in the state. This includes handguns, rifles, shotguns, and ghost guns (which must also be serialized, Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-10.2). Registration involves a background check and fingerprinting. There’s no requirement to report lost or stolen firearms, but failure to register can result in misdemeanor charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail.
Costs: Registration fees are $2 per firearm, but fingerprinting ($30-$50) may apply for new residents. Total cost per firearm is typically $2-$52.
Hawaii has moderate firearm storage laws. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-10.5, firearms must be stored in a locked container or with a trigger lock when not in use, especially if a child under 16 could access them. It’s illegal to leave a firearm where a child can access it if the child uses it to cause injury or death. Penalties can be a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) or a felony (up to 5 years in prison) if serious harm occurs. There’s no requirement to report lost or stolen firearms, and dealers are not required to provide locking devices with purchases.
Hawaii has limited self-defense laws. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 703-304, you can use deadly force in your home or workplace if someone unlawfully enters and you reasonably believe they pose a threat of death or serious injury. However, Hawaii is not a "stand your ground" state—you have a duty to retreat if you can safely do so, even in your home. Using excessive force can lead to charges like manslaughter, with penalties up to 20 years in prison.