Hawaii's number of registered firearms has increased. At the same time, applications for personal and private firearms decreased in 2021.
According to a release from the Department of the Attorney General, statistics show that 23,299 private firearm permit applications were processed statewide in 2021, marking a 10.8% decrease from the 26,122 applications in 2020. The 22,393 applications with approved permits covered 57,091 firearms, a 6.8% increase from the 53,481 firearms registered in 2020.
The annual report also showed that 51% of the firearms registered in 2021 were imported from another state. The remaining firearms were previously registered and transferred to different owners. A further breakdown showed that 44.6% of the firearms registered in 2021 were handguns, 43.2% were rifles, and 12.1% were shotguns, according to a release by Gov. David Ige’s office.
Nearly 3% of processed applications were denied in 2021 due to disqualifying factors, which include failing to return for their permits within a specified time period.
According to data tracked by the state, firearm registrations have increased dramatically over the last 20 years. Since 2000, the number of registered firearms increased by 319.3%, and the number of firearms imported increased by 303.2%.
The report, Firearm Registrations in Hawaii, 2021, includes additional statistics on firearm permits.