Honolulu Concealed Carry Lawyer

Put Decades of Experience in Your Corner

Hawaii currently allows two types of carrying a firearm: open carry and concealed carry, as long as you have a license to carry. Open carry is essentially limited to armored car drivers. Concealed carry is governed by state law to some extent, but each county is allowed to apply its own regulations to this. 

There are many state and county specific restrictions and different requirements regarding obtaining a license to carry a weapon concealed. Additionally, there are  

You must have completed a state-approved gun training class to acquire a concealed carry permit. Furthermore, the state does not honor concealed carry permits issued by other states. 

Charged with a concealed carry charge in Hawaii? Contact The Law Office of Kevin O’Grady, LLC at (808) 707-7479 for a free case review with a Honolulu concealed carry attorney. 

More About Hawaii Concealed Carry Laws

The state has expansive concealed carry weapon prohibitions, as do some counties.There are many state and county specific restrictions and different requirements regarding obtaining a license to carry a weapon concealed. 

The State of Hawaii passed, in 2023, expansive restrictions  prohibiting those persons with CCW from carrying in almost any conceivable place.  I am proud to say that in the Wolford case I, with co-counsel, was able to have a preliminary injunction put in place that stopped that state law from being enforced in many places. 

That lawsuit is currently on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  Below are some of the places where CCW cannot carry under the law (REMEMBER that counties may have different additional locations and situations where you cannot CCW). 

The State of Hawaii prohibits CCW in the following locations (Remember that you cannot open carry in these places): 

• Any building or office owned, leased, or used by the State or a county, and adjacent grounds and parking areas, including any portion of a building or office used for court proceedings, legislative business, contested case hearings, agency ruling making, or other activities of state or county government ( The parking lot aspect of this section has been impacted by the Wolford preliminary injunction)
• Any public or private hospital, mental health facility, nursing home, clinic, medical office, urgent care facility, or other place at which medical or health services are customarily provided, including adjacent parking areas;
• Any adult or juvenile detention or correctional facility, prison, or jail, including adjacent parking areas;
• Any bar or restaurant serving alcohol or intoxicating liquor as defined in section 281-1 for consumption on the premises, including adjacent parking areas; (This section has been impacted by the Wolford preliminary injunction);
• Any stadium, movie theater, or concert hall, or any place at which a professional, collegiate, high school, amateur, or student sporting event is being held, including adjacent parking lots;
• All public library property, including buildings, facilities, meeting rooms, spaces used for community programming, adjacent grounds and parking areas;
• The campus or premises of any public or private community college, college, or university, and adjacent parking areas, including buildings, classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, artistic venues, and athletic fields or venues;
• The campus or premises of any public school, charter school, private school, preschool, summer camp, or child care facility as defined in section 346-151, including adjacent parking areas, but not including A) a private residence at which education is provided for children who are all related to one another by blood, marriage, or adoption; or B) A dwelling when not used as a child care facility;
• Any beach, playground, park or adjacent parking area, including any state park, state monument, county park, tennis court, golf course, swimming pool, or other recreation area or facility under control, maintenance, and management of the State or a county, but not including an authorized target range or shooting complex (This section has been impacted by the Wolford preliminary injunction);
• Any shelter, residential, or programmatic facility or adjacent parking area operated by a government entity or charitable organization serving unhoused persons, victims of domestic violence, or children, including children involved in the juvenile justice system;
• Any voter service center as defined in section 11-1 or other polling place, including adjacent parking areas;
• The premises of any bank or financial institution as defined in section 211D-1, including adjacent parking areas; (This section has bene impacted by the Wolford preliminary injunction);
• Any place, facility, or vehicle used for public transportation or public transit, and adjacent parking areas, including buses, transit vans, bus shelters and terminals (but not including bus stops located on public sidewalks), trains, rail stations, and airports;
• Any amusement park, aquarium, carnival, circus, fair, museum, water park, or zoo, including adjacent parking areas;
• Any public gathering, public assembly, or special event conducted on property open to the public, including any demonstration, march, rally, vigil, protest, picketing, or other public assembly, for which a permit is obtained from the federal government, the State, or a county, and the sidewalk or street immediately adjacent to the public gathering, public assembly, or special event; provided that there are signs clearly and conspicuously posted at visible places along the perimeter of the public gathering, public assembly, or special event;

Additionally, the State has a law that says that you cannot carry CCW on any private property unless you have obtained express authorization to do so (This section was heavily impacted by the Wolford preliminary injunction). Each county in Hawaii may have similar, additional and different restrictions.   

Legal Requirements for Obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit in HI

In Honolulu, like the rest of Hawaii, the process to obtain a concealed carry permit is rigorous. Applicants must meet several criteria to be considered eligible. 

These include:

• Age and Residency: Applicants must be at least 21 years old and a resident of Hawaii.
• Background Check: A thorough background check is conducted to ensure that applicants do not have a criminal history that would disqualify them from carrying a firearm.
• Firearms Training: Completion of a certified firearms safety or training course is mandatory. This ensures that applicants are adequately prepared to handle and operate a firearm safely.
• Mental Health Evaluation: Applicants must not have any mental health issues that could impair their ability to responsibly carry a firearm.

The Application Process for a Concealed Carry Permit in Honolulu

Applying for a concealed carry permit in Honolulu involves several steps:

• Application Submission: Applicants must submit their application to the Honolulu Police Department, complete with necessary documentation such as proof of residence and training certification.
• Interview: An interview with law enforcement may be required to assess the applicant's suitability and necessity for carrying a concealed weapon.
• Approval: If the application is approved, the permit is issued with specific terms and conditions that the holder must adhere to.

Restrictions and Limitations for a  HI Concealed Carry Permit 

Carrying a concealed firearm in Honolulu comes with several restrictions:

• Permitted Areas: There are designated areas where concealed firearms are prohibited, such as schools, government buildings, and certain public events.
• Permit Validity: Permits must be renewed periodically, and any changes in personal circumstances must be reported to the authorities.
• Firearm Types: Only certain types of firearms may be carried, as specified in the permit.

Responsibilities of Permit Holders in HI 

Concealed carry permit holders in Honolulu have significant responsibilities:

• Lawful Use: Firearms must be used only in lawful self-defense situations.
• Secure Storage: When not carried, firearms must be securely stored to prevent accidental access or misuse.
• Awareness of Changes: Permit holders must stay informed about any changes in laws or regulations that could affect their rights or responsibilities.

Get Started on Your Case Today

Current and future litigation regarding both CCW and sensitive places litigation is ongoing, as well as many other aspects of your Second Amendment rights.  Supporting HawaiiGunLaw.Com and it’s YOUTUBE channel allows Kevin O’Grady to get you information and updates on the Second Amendment in Hawaii, keeps you informed as to what the status is of your Second Amendment rights and what your politicians are doing,  as well as to challenge and bring lawsuits and otherwise protect your Second Amendment rights in Hawaii.

You can reach my office at (808) 707-7479 or via my online contact form for legal guidance today.