State · HI
Hawaii gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at Hawaii's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed · magazine limit (10 rounds)
Recently changed or in flux
- Recently changedWolford v. Lopez (June 25, 2026) invalidated the private-property default rule; the legislature's response hasn't been verified. Separately, the 9th Circuit en banc (Yukutake v. Lopez, Sept. 22, 2026) reversed an injunction against parts of Hawaii's permit and registration system.
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- Yes. You need a permit to acquire from county police for each handgun.
- Long guns
- Yes. You need a permit to acquire (the long-gun permit is valid for a set period).
Registration#
- Yes. All firearms must be registered with county police, including those brought into the state.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue after Bruen (Act 52, 2023), with training and broad restrictions on sensitive places. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's rule that carry on private property was banned by default (Wolford v. Lopez, June 25, 2026).
- Open carry
- Only with a license.
- Reciprocity
- Doesn't honor other states' carry permits; visitors need a nonresident permit, where one is available.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- Assault pistols only. There's no rifle ban; a 2025 bill to expand it, SB 401, stalled in conference and wasn't enacted, and it isn't on the 2026 passed-bills list.
Magazine limits#
- 10 rounds, for handgun magazines only.
Waiting period#
- 14 days (the permit to acquire).
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes, universal (through the permit).
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes.
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Prohibited.
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Prohibited.
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. Hawaii's own restrictions on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns still apply. ATF's federal non-enforcement policy doesn't change state law.
Ammunition#
- Yes. Sellers may not sell or give ammunition to anyone under 21, except to someone who may legally have a firearm and is actively hunting or target shooting (or going to or from it), and they must check the buyer's government-issued photo ID (HRS § 134-7.7, added in 2024). People who are barred from owning firearms also may not own or possess ammunition (HRS § 134-7). Hawaii law doesn't require a separate permit or registration to buy ammunition.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21
- Long gun purchase
- 21
Shipping and buying online#
- Most retailers won't ship ammunition to Hawaii because of carrier hazmat limits and state rules. Handgun magazines over 10 rounds and assault pistols are banned. Expect very limited online deals.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in Hawaii. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
No open items right now. Here's what was settled recently.
Recently resolved (2)
Yukutake v. Lopez
No. 21-16756 · U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit (en banc)
Status:
Two Hawaii gun owners challenged two provisions of Hawaii's permit and registration laws and won in the district court. The full 9th Circuit reversed that ruling.
What it changed: The injunction against those parts of Hawaii's permit and registration system was reversed.
Outcome: En banc court reversed the district court's injunction on Sept. 22, 2026.
Status history (2)
- :
- :
Sources:9th Circuit - en banc cases (Yukutake v. Lopez) ↗
Added · Last checked
Wolford v. Lopez
No. 24-1046 · U.S. Supreme Court
Status:
The Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's default rule banning carry on private property that's open to the public unless the owner gives permission. Similar rules in other states, such as New York, may be affected.
What it changed: Hawaii's private-property default ban can't be enforced. We haven't verified how the legislature has responded.
Outcome: Hawaii's private-property default rule was struck down June 25, 2026.
Status history (1)
- :
Sources:Wolford v. Lopez opinion (June 25, 2026) ↗
Added · Last checked
Sources and official links#
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Ch. 134 · Officialhttps://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol03_ch0121-0200d/HRS0134/HRS_0134-.htm
- Hawaii AG - Crime Prevention & Justice Assistance (firearm reports) · Officialhttps://ag.hawaii.gov/cpja/
- Wolford v. Lopez opinion (June 25, 2026) · Court recordhttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1046_nmio.pdf
- 9th Cir. en banc cases (Yukutake v. Lopez) · Court recordhttps://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/en-banc/
- HRS § 134-7.7 (sale of ammunition to people under 21) · Officialhttps://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol03_ch0121-0200d/HRS0134/HRS_0134-0007_0007.htm
- HRS § 134-7 (who may not own firearms or ammunition) · Officialhttps://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol03_ch0121-0200d/HRS0134/HRS_0134-0007.htm
Hawaii entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.