The Bottom Line Up Front

To legally transfer a firearm in Hawaii, the following requirements must be met:

• The buyer must first obtain a Permit to Acquire from the Hawaii Police Department.
• The seller must sign the buyer's physical permit or a specific transfer form in ink at the time of sale.
• The seller must submit the signed paperwork to the HPD within 48 hours of the transfer.

⚠️ WARNING

You may not knowingly lend or transfer a firearm to any person who is prohibited from ownership (such as felons, fugitives, or those with domestic violence restraining orders). Doing so is a severe criminal offense.

The Buyer's Responsibility First

Before any firearm changes hands, the buyer (or recipient) must complete the application process. The buyer must apply for and receive a Permit to Acquire from their local HPD station.

• If the buyer does not have prior certified training, they must complete an NRA-certified course and obtain an HRS 134-2 firearms safety affidavit before applying.
• The buyer must go through the mandatory 14-to-40-day background check waiting period.

Executing the Transfer: Handguns vs. Long Guns

Once the buyer has their approved Permit to Acquire in hand, the actual transfer can take place. The rules differ slightly depending on the type of firearm:

Transferring a Handgun

When you sell or transfer a pistol or revolver, you must obtain the recipient’s physical permit at the exact time of the sale. As the seller, you are required to sign the permit in ink. You must then submit that signed permit to the HPD within 48 hours of the transfer.

Transferring a Rifle or Shotgun

If you sell or transfer a long gun, the buyer still needs a valid long gun permit. At the time of the transfer, the seller must fill out a specific Sale/Transfer of Rifle/Shotgun form. The seller signs this in ink and submits it to HPD within 48 hours of the transfer.

Inheritance and Bequests

If you receive a firearm because a family member passed away, you must apply for a Permit to Acquire before officially taking legal possession. Alternatively, state law allows you to transfer the inherited firearm directly to a licensed firearms dealer without applying for a permit, or you can turn it into HPD for destruction.

Need the Required Training?

If you are trying to buy a gun from a friend but haven't taken a safety course yet, we can help. Our Basic Pistol certification is exactly what the HPD requires.