By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Maddy Teka, Esq. | Last updated June 04, 2021
Hawaii, with some of the nation's toughest gun-related laws, keeps a tight rein on gun ownership, registration, and use.
Hawaii residents cannot purchase a firearm without first getting a permit to acquire the gun. People apply for those permits through the police department, and the department first checks local, state, and national databases to see if the applicant has been convicted of a felony or a violent crime, including misdemeanor assaults or domestic violence charges.
See the table below for a quick summary of Hawaii's gun control laws. For more general information, see Gun Laws in FindLaw's Accidents and Injuries section to learn more.
Relevant Statutes (Laws) |
|
|---|---|
Illegal Arms |
|
Waiting Period |
There is a 14-day waiting period to get a firearm in Hawaii. |
Who May Not Own |
The following persons are prohibited from owning a firearm:
|
License Required? |
Yes, you need a permit to purchase a firearm. |
Concealed Carry License Required? |
Yes, you need a license to conceal carry a firearm in Hawaii. |
Open Carried Allowed? |
Open carry is illegal in Hawaii unless it is for target shooting purposes or while hunting with a license. |
Eligibility for a Concealed Carry License |
To be eligible to carry a concealed firearm license, you must:
|
Machine Gun Laws |
Hawaii doesn't have a law regulating machine guns. But federal law requires machine guns to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. |
Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession |
|
Penalties for Illegal Possession on or Near School Grounds |
Hawaii prohibits students from possessing guns on school grounds, but it doesn't prohibit the general public from having guns on school grounds. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
If you would like to know more about firearm ownership and help to determine which firearms are legal to own, there are many attorneys throughout Hawaii with criminal law experience who may be able to help.
Contact a qualified attorney.
Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many Hawaii attorneys offer free consultations.