Hawaii has significant carry restrictions, and the legal landscape has shifted substantially since the 2022 Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. New legislation, court rulings, and injunctions continue to affect what is currently enforceable. This page provides a general overview only — verify the current status of any specific provision with County police department or a licensed Hawaii attorney before relying on it.
Hawaii carry status overview
Hawaii requires a License to Carry to carry a concealed handgun, issued by County police department. Hawaii's carry licensing was historically extremely restrictive prior to Bruen, with very few licenses issued statewide. Post-Bruen, Hawaii moved toward shall-issue but retains significant requirements and sensitive-location restrictions. Each of Hawaii's counties has its own police department handling applications.
| Concealed carry | License to Carry required |
| Governing law | Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-9 |
| Issuing authority | County police department |
| Open carry | Generally prohibited |
| Vehicle carry | Strict requirements — verify current rules |
| Post-Bruen changes | Yes — significant sensitive-location and process changes since 2022 |
Applying for a permit
Apply through County police department. Be prepared for a more involved process than in most other states — additional documentation, longer processing times, and in some cases an in-person interview may be required. Training requirements are typically more extensive than in shall-issue states.
Application info: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/firearms-unit/ ↗
Sensitive locations (post-Bruen)
Following the 2022 Bruen decision, Hawaii enacted expanded "sensitive location" restrictions that prohibit carry — even with a valid permit — in a substantially wider range of places than before. Categories commonly include:
- Government buildings and courts
- Schools and educational institutions (K–12 and higher ed)
- Healthcare facilities
- Public transit
- Places of worship (unless authorized)
- Bars and establishments serving alcohol
- Public parks and gathering places (varies)
- Polling places
- Private property, unless affirmatively authorized by the owner (varies by state)
These categories are illustrative — the specific list and ongoing litigation status varies. Verify the current, enforceable list directly with County police department before carrying anywhere in Hawaii.
Frequently asked questions — Hawaii
Is it difficult to get a carry permit in Hawaii?
The process in Hawaii is generally more involved than in shall-issue states — expect more documentation, training requirements, and processing time. Apply through County police department for the current specific requirements.
Has Hawaii's carry law changed recently?
Yes, likely. Following the 2022 Supreme Court Bruen decision, many restrictive states including Hawaii enacted new legislation addressing "sensitive locations" and permit processes. This area of law is actively litigated and continues to change. Always verify the current status before relying on any specific provision described here.
Does Hawaii honor permits from other states?
Generally, Hawaii does not broadly recognize out-of-state carry permits the way many other states do. Verify the specific current reciprocity status — if any — with County police department or the state attorney general's office before assuming your out-of-state permit is valid here.