Firearm Services

If you wish to acquire a handgun or wish to acquire a shotgun or rifle for the first time, you must be at least 21 years old and a United States citizen. You must also apply for a permit to acquire a firearm. If you were not born in the United States, you would need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

The following is a list of firearm registration stations on Hawaiʻi Island. Registration is Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Please call the station nearest you. For other islands, please contact the appropriate police department.

• They are a fugitive from justice or have been prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under title 18 United States Code section 922 or any other provision of federal law.  
• They are being prosecuted for one or more charges for a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug in a court in Hawaiʻi or elsewhere. This also includes persons who have been convicted in Hawaiʻi or elsewhere of having committed a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug.
• Have been convicted of a felony, any crime of violence or illegal sale of any drug.

• Are or have been under treatment or counseling for addiction to or abuse of any dangerous, harmful, or detrimental drug or alcohol.
• Have been acquitted of a crime on the grounds of mental disease or mental disorder.
• Have been diagnosed as having a significant behavioral, emotional, or mental disorder or for treatment for organic brain syndromes.
• Are younger than 25 and have been adjudicated by the family court to have committed a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug.
• Have been restrained by court order from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing another person.

• You may not lend any rifle or shotgun to anyone younger than 18 except for the purposes of hunting or target shooting.
• Except for the purposes of hunting or target shooting, you may not possess any firearm owned by another without a permit from the police chief.
• For the purposes of hunting or target shooting, you may lend a lawfully acquired rifle or shotgun to an adult for use within the state for up to 15 days without a permit from the police chief. If the firearm is to be used outside the state, it may be on loan for up to 75 days.
• You may not knowingly lend a firearm to any person who is prohibited from ownership or possession of a firearm.
• You may not bring into the state an assault pistol or sell or transfer an assault pistol to anyone other than a licensed dealer. If you acquire an assault pistol through inheritance or bequest, you must render the weapon permanently inoperable, sell or transfer it to a licensed dealer or turn it in to HPD within 90 days.

• Anyone 16 years of age or older or anyone younger than 16 when accompanied by an adult may carry and use any lawfully acquired rifle or shotgun and suitable ammunition while engaged in hunting or target shooting or traveling to and from the place of hunting or target shooting.
• If you sell or transfer the ownership of a handgun, you must obtain the recipient’s permit at the time of sale or transfer. You are required to sign the permit in ink and submit the permit to HPD within 48 hours of the transfer via hand delivery or registered mail.
• If you sell or transfer the ownership of a rifle or shotgun, you must submit a Sale/Transfer of Rifle/Shotgun form to HPD within forty-eight hours of the transfer via hand delivery or registered mail. The form must be completed and  signed in ink by the vendor or transferrer.