Hawaii has taken courageous steps to protect its residents, enacting some of the strongest gun laws in the country and setting an example for other states.
Among other lifesaving laws, the state requires gun purchasers to obtain a license and complete a firearm safety course. In 2023, Hawaii had the fifth lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 64 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every 5.5 days. Sixty-five percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 28% are gun homicides. In Hawaii, the rate of gun deaths increased 84% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide.
What Hawaii Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Firearm Registration
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Domestic violence gun laws
- Certain assault weapon restrictions
- Partial large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Certain open carry regulations
- Child access prevention laws
- Minimum age laws
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
- Ghost gun regulations
What Hawaii Is Missing
- Bulk firearm purchase restrictions
- Safe storage laws
- Microstamping requirements
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: States with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE HAWAII’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
SUPPORT GUN SAFETY
We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
