State Gun Laws

It can be illegal for an abuser to have or buy a gun under federal law and state law.

Under federal law, it is illegal if:

• you have a protective order that meets certain conditions;
• the abuser was convicted of any felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor;¹ or
• there is another reason why it’s illegal for the abuser to have a gun under federal law.²

Hawai‘i state law makes it illegal for anyone to have or buy a gun if:

• there is a protective order against him/her;
• s/he has been charged with, or convicted of, certain crimes; or
• for several other reasons not related to court orders or criminal convictions.

If any of these situations apply to the abuser, it may be illegal for him/her to have a gun.  

Note: As of August 2025, to legally have or buy a gun in Hawai‘i, a person must get a permit issued by the county’s chief of police. However, this law has recently been challenged in the courts and may be found unconstitutional.³ Please check with your county to find out whether or not this law is still in effect.

¹ 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), (g)(8), (g)(9)
² 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(2)-(g)(7)
³ Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-2(a); see Yukutake v. Lopez, 130 F.4th 1077 (9th Cir. 2025)