Court Blocks Parts of Honolulu ‘Sensitive Places’ Gun Law

News Release from HiFiCo, Nov 3, 2023

Due to our "sensitive places lawsuit," Honolulu is no longer able to enforce parts of its sensitive places ordinance.

In their own words:

"Due to a recent court ruling in Hawai‘i (which is currently being appealed), the City cannot enforce the “sensitive places” law in the following places:

--Public parks and beaches

--Banks and businesses that serve alcohol for consumption on the premises (though those businesses may still prohibit firearms if they wish)

--Parking lots that serve both government buildings and private businesses"

This means that on Oahu, you can now legally carry in these locations without threat of arrest if you have a valid concealed carry license.

In addition, state law has a preemption clause that invalidates the prohibition on carrying on public transport (you may carry, unloaded in a locked container) and invalidates the public gathering prohibition (distance-based is invalid and the sign must have signage along its entire length)

Act 52 "(g) If any ordinance of any county of the State establishing locations where the carrying of firearms is prohibited is inconsistent with this section or with section 134—E, the ordinance shall be void to the extent of the inconsistency."

There may be other parts of the law found invalid, but until the bill is installed into the HRS it will be very hard to see them.

Mahalo to our attorneys in this case, Attorney Alan Beck and Kevin O'Grady.

---30---

RELATED: Sensitive Places — One Oahu

KHON: Court ruling bans state from enforcing certain sensitive places for concealed carry | KHON2