Hawaii Gun Laws
2026 Compliance Guide
Hawaii has the most restrictive permit-to-purchase scheme in the United States; magazines are limited to 10 rounds for handguns; assault pistols are prohibited; suppressors and short-barreled rifles are banned for civilians; and every firearm must be registered with local police within 5 days of acquisition.
📅 Last updatedHawaii Firearm Laws at a Glance
The table below summarizes Hawaii's key firearm regulations for 2026. Each item links to the relevant statute in the section below.
| Assault Weapons Ban | YES — restricted |
| Magazine Capacity Limit | 10 rounds |
| Suppressors (NFA) | Prohibited for civilians |
| Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR) | Prohibited for civilians |
| Permit Required to Purchase | Yes |
| Background Check on Private Sales | Required |
| Ghost Guns / Unserialized | Prohibited |
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Run a Free HI Compliance Check →Assault Weapons Ban in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have a comprehensive 'assault weapons' ban, but it prohibits 'assault pistols' (HRS § 134-1, § 134-8) defined by a multi-feature test. Hawaii's pistol AWB is unique — it includes features (such as a centerfire-pistol overall-length threshold) that other states don't use, so a pistol that's compliant in another state may still be banned in Hawaii. Run any pistol you're considering through the compliance checker before purchase.
Practical impact: Standard AR-15 and AK-pattern rifles sold in most states are typically prohibited in Hawaii. Compliant configurations exist (featureless builds, fixed-magazine variants) but selection is limited. If you are buying a semi-automatic centerfire rifle, run it through the compliance checker before purchase.
Magazine Capacity Limits in Hawaii
Hawaii limits handgun magazines to 10 rounds (HRS § 134-8). Long gun magazines are not subject to a state capacity limit.
NFA Items: Suppressors, SBRs, and Machine Guns
Suppressors
Suppressors (silencers) are prohibited for civilian ownership in this state regardless of federal NFA approval. A federal tax stamp does not authorize possession in states where the item is prohibited by state law.
Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs)
Short-barreled rifles are prohibited for civilian ownership in this state regardless of federal NFA approval.
Machine Guns and Other NFA Items
Pre-1986 transferable machine guns are restricted under the federal Firearm Owners Protection Act and require ATF Form 4 approval. Hawaii separately prohibits civilian machine gun ownership.
Permits and Licensing Requirements
Hawaii requires a Permit to Acquire for every firearm purchase. The permit requires a separate application for handguns versus long guns, fingerprinting, a background check, and a 14-day waiting period. Every firearm must be registered with the chief of police within 5 days of acquisition.
Carry Laws
Shall-issue concealed carry as of 2023 (post-Bruen). Open carry generally requires a license.
Private Sales and Background Checks
All firearm transfers in Hawaii require the recipient to hold a valid Permit to Acquire and register the firearm with police.
Ghost Guns and Unserialized Firearms
Hawaii prohibits unserialized firearms and unfinished receivers (HRS § 134-10.5).
Federally, ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F (effective August 24, 2022) reclassified most unfinished receiver kits as firearms requiring serialization and FFL transfer. State law in Hawaii adds additional requirements on top of the federal rule.
Key Hawaii Firearm Statutes
The following statutes form the legal basis for Hawaii's firearm regulations. Citations are kept current with the official state code.
- HRS § 134-2 — Permit to Acquire requirement
- HRS § 134-3 — Firearm registration requirement
- HRS § 134-8 — Assault pistol and large-capacity magazine prohibition
- HRS § 134-10.5 — Unserialized firearm prohibition
Frequently Asked Questions: Hawaii Gun Laws
How do I legally buy a gun in Hawaii?
Apply for a Permit to Acquire from your county police department. The process requires fingerprinting, a federal background check, character references, and completion of a 14-day waiting period. Once issued, the permit is valid for 10 days for handguns or 1 year for long guns.
Do I have to register my firearm in Hawaii?
Yes. Every firearm acquired in Hawaii must be registered with the chief of police within 5 days of acquisition. Registration applies to all firearms regardless of how they were obtained.
Are suppressors legal in Hawaii?
No. Hawaii prohibits civilian ownership of suppressors. A federal NFA tax stamp does not authorize possession in Hawaii.
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Run a Free Compliance Check →Compare Hawaii to Other States
Hawaii's firearm laws differ significantly from neighboring states. View laws for any U.S. state below.