Gun Laws/Hawaii/Reviewed September 16, 2026
Are forced reset triggers legal in Hawaii?
Quick answer
No
Hawaii: Treated as a machine gun or rapid fire device under state law.
Hawaii shares no land border with another state, so a drive in always starts with a flight or a ferry.
Not legal advice. Source: GunPartPicker state law review, September 16, 2026
Forced reset trigger laws by state
Triggers that stay legal in Hawaii
A forced reset trigger is treated as a machine gun in Hawaii. A fast single stage drop in is not.
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Prices update hourly. Not legal advice, confirm your own configuration before you buy. All Hawaii gun laws
Hawaii law in detail
- Hawaii is one of fifteen states, plus the District of Columbia, whose trigger activator or rate of fire statutes reach forced reset triggers. The 2025 federal settlement does not override a state ban.
- Search Hawaii's code for "multiburst trigger activator" and "trigger activator", not "forced reset trigger". Most of these statutes predate FRTs and never use the phrase, which is why people search, find nothing and conclude they are in the clear.
- A standard fast single stage or two stage drop in trigger is not affected by any of these statutes.
The federal rule
Under the 2025 Justice Department settlement with Rare Breed Triggers, ATF no longer treats a forced reset trigger that fires one round per trigger function as a machine gun. That settles federal law only; a state can still ban FRTs under its own machine gun, rapid fire device or multiburst trigger statute.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
Are forced reset triggers legal in Hawaii?
No. Hawaii: Treated as a machine gun or rapid fire device under state law. Reviewed September 16, 2026.
What is the federal rule on forced reset triggers?
Under the 2025 Justice Department settlement with Rare Breed Triggers, ATF no longer treats a forced reset trigger that fires one round per trigger function as a machine gun. That settles federal law only; a state can still ban FRTs under its own machine gun, rapid fire device or multiburst trigger statute.
How many states restrict forced reset triggers?
Nationwide by our review: 35 states: no state ban; 15: restricted.
More Hawaii gun laws
Legal disclaimer: This page summarizes state law for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can be stricter. Confirm with the Hawaii statutes, the state attorney general or a licensed attorney before buying, building or traveling.