Acquiring Firearms in Hawaii

Permit to acquire

Reference §HRS 134-2

No person shall acquire the ownership of a firearm, whether usable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique, registered under prior law or by prior owner or unregistered, either by purchase, gift, inheritance, bequest, or in any other manner, whether procured in the state or imported by mail, until the person has first procured from the chief of police of the county that the person is in, a permit to acquire the ownership of a firearm as prescribed in this section.

When title to any firearm is acquired by inheritance or bequest, the foregoing permit shall be obtained before taking possession of a firearm; provided that upon presentation of a copy of the death certificate of the owner making the bequest, any heir or legatee may transfer the inherited or bequested firearm directly to a dealer licensed under section 134-31 or licensed by the United States Department of the Treasury without complying with the requirements of this section.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

You will need the following documentation prior to completing the application. The application must be completed at the Firearms Section.

1. Valid photo identification.
2. Permit to acquire application.
3. Firearms questionnaire form.
4. Mental health waiver form.
5. Medical Waiver form.
6. Fingerprint card. (First time in-state purchase and $19.25 FBI fingerprinting fee.)
7. Background check. (Background check includes, but is not limited to, warrant checks, local and national arrest history, local and national criminal history, local and national criminal convictions, any pending cases and TRO's.)
8. Original Hunters Education card or an original Handgun Safety Training Course Affidavit. (Handguns only)
9. Proof of U.S citizenship if born outside the United States.

Permit to acquire a handgun

The following are needed when applying for a permit to acquire a handgun:

1. Valid identification that includes a photograph, such as a driver's license, state identification card, military ID, or United States passport. (You must be 21 years old or older to purchase a firearm.)
2. Complete an application for permit to acquire firearms with specific information, including: Make, Model, Caliber, Type, (revolver, Semiautomatic,etc), barrel length, and Serial Number.
3. The name, address, and telephone number of the seller.
4. Original Hunters Education card or an original Handgun Safety Training Course Affidavit. 
5. Proof of United States citizenship, if born outside of the United States, such as an original Valid United States Passport, original Naturalization certificate, or original Born Abroad Birth Certificate.

Note: No Permits Issued for Assault Pistols.

Permit to acquire a shotgun or rifle

The following are needed when applying for a permit to acquire a shotgun or rifle:

1. Valid Identification
2. Complete an application for permit to acquire a firearm.
3. Proof of United States citizenship, if born outside of the United States, such as an original Valid United States Passport, original Naturalization certificate, or original Born Abroad Birth Certificate.

14 Day Waiting Period

NOTE: After the 14-day waiting period the permit will be valid for only 6 calendar days. Permits not picked up by the 6th day will be voided. Applicants will need to reapply and go through another 14-day waiting period, so please plan accordingly.

There is no 14-day waiting period for Out-of-State Registration. Once the firearm arrives in the state you have 3 calendar days, (72 Hours), to bring it in to the Honolulu Police Department Firearms Section.

Registration

See registration requirements.