Hawaii Gun Laws
HIHawaii at a glance
Firearm Regulations
Key Notes
All firearms must be registered with county police within 5 days of purchase or arrival. Must be 21 to acquire any firearm. NFA items heavily restricted.
- •Yes (within 5 days) Firearm Registration — All firearms must be registered with county police within 5 days of purchase or bringing a firearm into the state. This applies to handguns and long guns alike.
- •Yes (must be 21) Permit to Purchase — You must be 21 to acquire any firearm in Hawaii. A permit to acquire is required for each purchase, involving fingerprinting and a background check.
- •Machine guns, SBR, SBS, Suppressors banned (NFA) — Nearly all NFA items are prohibited for civilians. Only destructive devices may be obtainable in very limited circumstances.
- •Shall Issue (post-Bruen) Concealed Carry — After the Supreme Court's Bruen decision, Hawaii transitioned to shall-issue, but the process remains rigorous with training and documentation requirements.
- •10 rounds (pistols) Mag Limit — Pistol magazines are limited to 10 rounds. There is no magazine capacity restriction on rifles or shotguns.
- •Handguns only (Assault Weapon Ban) — Hawaii bans assault pistols but does not restrict semi-automatic rifles. The ban targets specific handgun features.
- •Private Property Default Rule Struck — In Wolford v. Lopez (June 25, 2026) the Supreme Court struck down the rule barring licensed carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission.
Last updated October 10, 2026
How Hawaii Law Affects Your Build
Plain-English implications for builders, derived from the regulations above.
Magazine Capacity Limit in Effect
Hawaii limits pistol magazine capacity (10 rounds (pistols)). Rifle magazines are not covered by that limit; check the statute for the details.
NFA Restrictions Apply
Hawaii restricts some or all NFA items (Machine guns, SBR, SBS, Suppressors banned). Suppressors, SBRs, or other regulated items may be banned under state law whatever ATF enforces federally. Verify before buying a 14.5" barrel or pinned muzzle device intended for SBR conversion. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
Permit Required to Purchase
Hawaii requires a permit, license, or other prerequisite before you can purchase a firearm (Yes (must be 21)). Factor permit application time into your build timeline before ordering a complete lower or completed rifle.
Background Checks on Private Transfers
Hawaii extends background-check requirements beyond licensed-dealer sales (Yes). Private transfers of complete firearms typically must run through an FFL.
Ready to spec a compliant build? Use the AR Builder to compare parts and live prices across retailers.
Hawaii Gun Laws — Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the AR-15 legal in Hawaii?
- Yes. Hawaii does not have an assault weapon ban. Standard AR-15 rifles are legal to own, purchase, and build.
- What is the magazine capacity limit in Hawaii?
- 10 rounds (pistols). Standard 30-round magazines may not be legal for sale; compliant magazines (or pinned/welded options) are required for new builds.
- Does Hawaii require a permit to buy a firearm?
- Yes (must be 21). A permit, license, or qualifying ID is required in Hawaii before purchasing a firearm.
- Can I conceal carry in Hawaii?
- Hawaii concealed carry status: Shall Issue (post-Bruen). The state must issue a permit to applicants who meet the qualifying criteria.
- Is open carry legal in Hawaii?
- Hawaii open carry: Rarely issued. Local restrictions may still apply in cities, parks, schools, or government buildings.
- Are suppressors and SBRs legal in Hawaii?
- NFA item status in Hawaii: Machine guns, SBR, SBS, Suppressors banned. State law can restrict these items whatever ATF enforces federally. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
- Does Hawaii require background checks for private sales?
- Yes. Background-check requirements in Hawaii extend beyond licensed-dealer sales — most private transfers must run through an FFL.
Sources & Further Reading
Verify current Hawaii firearm law with these authoritative resources. Laws change — always confirm with primary sources before purchasing or carrying.
- Giffords Law Center — comprehensive state-by-state firearm law summaries and policy analysis.
- NRA-ILA State Gun Laws — state directory with statute references and recent legislative updates.
- Everytown Research State Rankings — research-driven scoring and policy explanations across all 50 states.
- ATF Firearms — federal regulations on NFA items, FFL transfers, and firearm classifications.
Traveling to Hawaii with a gun?
Pick what you are bringing and where you start, and the Gun Travel Checker applies these rules to every state on the route, with what to do before each state line.
Check a trip to Hawaii →Legal Disclaimer: This page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with official state sources, a qualified attorney, or local law enforcement before making purchasing or carrying decisions. GunPartPicker is not responsible for errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information.