State Gun Laws

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 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. is a fugitive from justice;
2. cannot own a gun under federal gun laws;
3. is or was under treatment for drug or alcohol addiction unless medical documents say s/he no longer has the addiction;
4. was found not guilty of a crime because of a mental disorder unless medical documents say s/he no longer has the mental disorder;
5. 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; 
6. was determined by a judge to:
   • meet the criteria for involuntary hospitalization; or
   • be an “incapacitated person,” as defined by law;
7. is under 25 and committed one of the following crimes as a juvenile offender:
   • a felony;
   • a “crime of violence,” as defined by law;
   • a criminal offense relating to firearms; or
   • an illegal sale or distribution of any drug;
8. 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 none of these situations apply, you can still make a plan for your safety. See our Safety Planning page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. See our Hawaii Advocates and Shelters page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.

For more information on gun laws in Hawaii, go to the Giffords Law Center website.

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun under other circumstances. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

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