Amendments proposed in Hawaii Senate Bill 1230 are set to be implemented next month. These amendments encompass permit alterations for both long guns and handguns.
The Hawaii Police Department, in its press release, stipulates that applicants for long gun permits must have successfully completed a hunter education course within the last four years. It is noteworthy that a certified training class cannot replace this hunter education course. Hawaii residents seeking to acquire long gun or handgun permits are advised to reach out to the Hawaii Police Department Firearms Section at 808 961-2233.
Senate Bill 1230 prohibits gun owners from carrying their weapons in specific locations and mandates them to possess and disclose their license status. The bill also dictates that firearms should not be left unsecured in a vehicle, and individuals are forbidden from consuming alcohol or controlled substances while carrying their firearms. Introduced on January 25, 2023, the bill passed its first reading on the same day. It was forwarded to the House of Representatives on March 7 and passed its first reading there on March 9. According to the state's dedicated page for bill status, it landed on Governor Josh Green’s desk on May 4.
However, this is not the only modification to firearm laws that Hawaii residents have encountered recently. The Honolulu Police Department states that their firearms unit necessitates physical inspection for firearms and firearm receivers assembled without serial numbers or identifying markers; firearms imported into Hawaii; and those acquired through private sales. This requirement stems from House Bill 2075 (Act 030), which came into effect on June 3, 2022.
Individuals aged 21 or older who have not previously owned a rifle or shotgun are required by the Hawaii Police Department to apply for a permit to acquire a firearm. This necessitates scheduling an appointment at any police department across the state. Non-U.S.-born individuals must provide proof of citizenship. A separate permit is needed for each handgun an individual wishes to acquire, but only one permit is necessary for rifles or shotguns. To obtain a handgun, a hunter education course is mandatory, and proof of completion must accompany the application for the permit. Even in cases where firearms are inherited, individuals must possess a permit to acquire before taking possession of the firearm. However, transferring the firearm directly to a licensed dealer does not necessitate applying for a permit.