WomensLaw sirve y apoya a todas las personas sobrevivientes sin importar su sexo o género.

Información Legal: Hawái

State Gun Laws

Actualizada: 
11 de enero de 2024

I am a victim of domestic violence and the abuser has a gun. Is that legal?

To legally have or buy a gun in Hawaii, a person must get a permit issued by the county’s chief of police.1 You can see who can get a one in Who qualifies for a gun permit? 

In addition, Hawaii state law makes it illegal for anyone to have or buy a gun if s/he:

  1. has an order against him/her, which includes an order for protection or a gun violence protective order, that:
    • prohibits that person from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing another person; and
    • specifically includes a statement that possession of a firearm by the person named in the order is prohibited;
  2. was convicted of, or is being prosecuted for:
  3. is a fugitive from justice;
  4. cannot own a gun under federal gun laws;
  5. is or was under treatment for drug or alcohol addiction unless medical documents say s/he no longer has the addiction;
  6. was found not guilty of a crime because of a mental disorder unless medical documents say s/he no longer has the mental disorder;
  7. was diagnosed with or treated for a medical, behavioral, psychological, emotional, or mental condition or disorder that causes or is likely to cause impairment in judgment, perception, or impulse control so much that it presents an unreasonable risk to public health, safety, or welfare of others unless medical documents say s/he no longer has these conditions; 
  8. was determined by a judge to:
    • meet the criteria for involuntary hospitalization; or
    • be an “incapacitated person,” as defined by law;
  9. is under 25 and committed one of the following crimes as a juvenile offender:
    • a felony;
    • a “crime of violence,” as defined above in #2;
    • a criminal offense relating to firearms; or
    • an illegal sale or distribution of any drug;
  10. is under 18 and:
    • is being treated for addiction to a dangerous drug unless medical documents say that s/he no longer has the addiction;
    • is a fugitive from justice;
    • was not legally responsible for a crime because of a mental disorder unless medical documents say that s/he no longer has the mental disorder; or
    • was committed to an institution because of a mental disorder, disease, or defect unless medical documents that s/he no longer has the mental disorder.2

If any of these situations apply to the abuser, it may be illegal for him/her to have a gun. Federal laws, which apply to all states, can also restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

1 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-2(a)
2 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-7
3 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-1