Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task armed Americans must undertake. To help with that, we’ve provided a comprehensive overview of Hawaii gun laws. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Aloha State below.

Can You Carry a Gun in Hawaii?

Hawaii permits open carry and concealed carry of handguns with a Hawaii license to carry (LTC), which is only valid in the county of issue. Concealed carry and unconcealed, or open, carry are separate permits in Hawaii. Carrying a loaded firearm without a license to carry, whether openly or concealed, including in a vehicle, is a class B felony. Hawaii does not honor CCW licenses from any other state.

A non-resident may transport a firearm to the state provided he or she possesses a hunting license, shooting preserve permit or invitation to shoot on private land, or written notification from a firing range indicating the person will engage in target shooting. Any firearms must be registered at a police station within 5 days of arrival. Current law requires fingerprinting, a background check and having a photograph taken. A permit is provided for each firearm make, model and serial number. You must abide by state firearm laws which include prohibited weapons such as those deemed “assault weapons” and magazine restrictions.

Hawaii Concealed Carry Permit

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling NYSRPA vs. Bruen in June of 2022, Hawaii is now a shall-issue state. Permits are issued by the Chief of Police at the county level. The minimum age is 21 years old. Concealed carry licenses require a firearms training course that has been state-approved. Hawaii does not issue non-resident licenses. The state has been sued due to Hawaii’s restrictive handgun permitting policies.

Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground

Hawaii is not a “stand your ground” state. However, Hawaii is a Castle Doctrine state. The use of deadly force is justifiable under this section if the actor believes deadly force is necessary to protect himself or herself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, rape or forcible sodomy. There is no duty to retreat inside one’s home or place of business. Outside of those locations, there is a duty to retreat if it can be done in “complete safety.” A person who uses a gun in self-defense does not automatically have immunity from criminal or civil liability. While self-defense is recognized as a legal justification for the use of force, including deadly force, it must meet specific legal criteria to be considered lawful.

Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements

Hawaii is widely recognized as having some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S. Hawaii restricts high-capacity ammunition magazines. A permit to purchase, a background check and firearms registration are required to buy a handgun from a private individual. There is a minimum 14-day wait when applying for a purchase permit. All firearms and ammunition must be registered with the chief of police of the county of one’s place of business, one’s residence or one’s place of sojourn (temporary place of lodging). There is a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Hawaii.

Hawaii has a “red flag” law that allows law enforcement and others to petition the court to remove firearms from an individual. This prevents the individual from owning, purchasing, possessing, receiving, transferring ownership of or having firearms in his or her custody or control.

Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons

In January of 2022, the Hawaii repealed its previous ban on stun guns and Tasers. One must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Any use outside of those purposes is prohibited. Electric guns can only be used for self-defense, defense of others or protection of property. Purchasers must undergo state-approved training on the safe use of stun guns or Tasers. The possession or use of stun guns or tasers is prohibited in certain places, such as schools, courthouses and government buildings.

While there is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Hawaii, the city/county of Honolulu has ordinances restricting types of pepper spray containers and prohibiting minors from purchasing or possessing pepper spray. 

Only butterfly knives, gravity knives and switchblades are banned in Hawaii. Any other type of knife is legal. It is illegal to concealed carry, go armed with or carry the following weapons in a vehicle: any dirk, dagger, blackjack, slungshot, billy, metal knuckles, pistol or other deadly or dangerous weapon. Ordinary pocketknives and diver’s knives are not considered dangerous weapons unless they are used in a way that makes them dangerous weapons.

Where Can One Carry in Hawaii?

Understanding where you can and cannot carry a firearm is crucial for staying compliant with Hawaii’s gun laws. The state has specific locations where carrying a concealed handgun is allowed and places where it is strictly prohibited, even for permit holders. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure you are always carrying legally and responsibly.

  • In a vehicle with a Hawaii LTC
  • Roadside rest areas, but not in buildings, with a Hawaii LTC
  • Restaurants with a Hawaii LTC, unless posted or if the restaurant sells alcohol

Locations where carry is prohibited even for permit holders include:

In 2023, the “sensitive locations” bill was passed, expanding the locations where it is illegal to carry concealed.

  • Any building or office owned, leased or used by the State or a county, and adjacent grounds and parking areas, including any portion of a building or office used for court proceedings, legislative business, contested case hearings, agency rulemaking, or other activities of state or county government
  • Any public or private hospital, mental health facility, nursing home, clinic, medical office, urgent care facility or other place at which medical or health services are customarily provided, including adjacent parking areas
  • Any adult or juvenile detention or correctional facility, prison or jail, including adjacent parking areas
  • Any bar or restaurant serving alcohol or intoxicating liquor as defined in section 281-1 for consumption on the premises, including adjacent parking areas
  • Any stadium, movie theater or concert hall, or any place at which a professional, collegiate, high school, amateur or student sporting event is being held, including adjacent parking areas
  • All public library property, including buildings, facilities, meeting rooms, spaces used for community programming, adjacent grounds and parking areas
  • The campus or premises of any public or private community college, college or university and adjacent parking areas, including buildings, classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, artistic venues, and athletic fields or venues
  • The campus or premises of any public school, charter school, private school, preschool, summer camp or child care facility, including adjacent parking areas
  • Any beach, playground, park or adjacent parking area, including any state park, state monument, county park, tennis court, golf course, swimming pool or other recreation area or facility under control, maintenance and management of the state or a county, but not including an authorized target range or shooting complex
  • Any shelter, residential or programmatic facility or adjacent parking area operated by a government entity or charitable organization serving unhoused persons, victims of domestic violence or children, including children involved in the juvenile justice system
  • Any voter service center as defined or other polling place, including adjacent parking areas
  • The premises of any bank or financial institution as defined in section 211D-1, including adjacent parking areas
  • Any place, facility or vehicle used for public transportation or public transit and adjacent parking areas, including buses, paratransit vans, bus shelters and terminals (but not including bus stops located on public sidewalks), trains, rail stations and airports
  • Any amusement park, aquarium, carnival, circus, fair, museum, water park or zoo, including adjacent parking areas
  • Any public gathering, public assembly or special event conducted on property open to the public, including any demonstration, march, rally, vigil, protest, picketing or other public assembly for which a permit is obtained from the federal government, the state or a county, and the sidewalk or street immediately adjacent to the public gathering, public assembly or special event; provided that there are signs clearly and conspicuously posted at visible places along the perimeter of the public gathering, public assembly or special event
  • Private property, unless the person has been given express authorization to carry a firearm on the property by the owner, lessee, operator or manager of the property through written or verbal authorization or the posting of clear and conspicuous signage at the entrance of the building or on the premises

Can You Carry a Handgun in Your Car in Hawaii?

When traveling by car, only individuals with a Hawaii License to Carry (LTC) can carry a handgun. Hawaii generally prohibits any person from carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on any public highway. Carrying a loaded firearm without a license to carry, whether openly or concealed and including in a vehicle, is a class B felony. The possession of all firearms and ammunition is restricted to the possessor’s place of business, residence or sojourn. But it is lawful to carry firearms and ammunition in an enclosed container or other suitable container from the place of purchase to the purchaser’s home, place of business or place of sojourn. It is also legal to carry between the aforementioned places when moving and transporting to a place of repair, police station, licensed dealer’s place of business, firearms show, exhibit or target range.

 

Ready to Learn More About Hawaii Gun Laws?

It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about Hawaii’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit Hawaii’s gun laws page now…

The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and, as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.