The Hawai‘i Police Department has revised the permitting process for a license to carry concealed and unconcealed firearms following the Supreme Court’s ruling on a landmark case out of New York.

The High Court’s 6-3 decision in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen on July 7 ruled that the state violated the complainants’ 14th Amendment right to carry a firearm for self-defense when it denied a pair of applicants their request.

The case centered around a person’s right to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense under the Constitution’s Second Amendment. The question presented was whether the state’s denial of the petitioners’ applications for concealed-carry licenses for self-defense violated their Second Amendment rights.

The Supreme Court ruled that it did.

HPD has since updated the application and supporting documentation forms can be downloaded from HPD’s website under Services.

All persons who wish to apply for a License to Carry a Firearm concealed or unconcealed in the County of Hawaii must:

• Thoroughly complete the Hawai‘i Police Department Application for License to Carry Firearms (Form HPD/ADMIN-039A).
• Submit a copy of the signed State of Hawai‘i Firearms Registration for the specific firearm to be carried registered in the applicant’s name or in the name of the Private Security Employer.
• Submit a copy of the signed firearms proficiency test administered by a state-certified or National Rifle Association firearms instructor of the applicant’s choosing (including instructor certification). Firearms proficiency test shall be taken with the firearm to be carried (completed within 90 days prior to submittal of application). Signed shooting proficiency test results must include shooting scores (pass/fail only is insufficient).
• Submit two front-facing, passport-sized color photographs of the applicant (taken within 30 days prior to submittal of application).
• Submit the State of Hawai‘i, Adult Mental Health Division’s Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information form.

For applications associated with employment purposes, a notarized statement by the private security employer that the applicant’s duties require carrying the pistol and/or revolver and is qualified to use said pistol and/or revolver. (The private security employer is expected to show urgency of need in support of each application).

The subject must be a resident of the County of Hawai‘i, have a local address and be 21 years of age or older.

The subject must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, a lawful permanent resident, or (if the subject is applying for a concealed carry license) a duly accredited official representative of a foreign nation.

Applications and supporting documentation may be submitted in person or via mail to the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Records and Identification Section, 349 Kapiolani Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720.

Any questions can be directed to Lt. Tuckloy Aurello of our Records and Identification Section at 808-961-2233 or via email at [email protected].