Hawaii Firearms Coalition Supports Plaintiff in Lawsuit Against City and County of Honolulu

News Release from Hawaii Firearms Coalition, June 8, 2024

Honolulu, HI – June 8, 2024 – The Hawaii Firearms Coalition (HIFICO) proudly announces its support for Mr Terry in his lawsuit against the City and County of Honolulu. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys Alan Beck and Kevin O'Grady, challenges the constitutionality of the County's concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit policies, which have been deemed excessively burdensome and a violation of constitutional rights.

"HIFICO fully supports Mr Terry's brave legal action against the City and County of Honolulu. The current CCW permit policies are not only overly restrictive but also infringe upon the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. These policies make it overly complicated and burdensome for law-abiding citizens to obtain the necessary permits to exercise their right to carry concealed firearms for self-defense."

Key Issues:

Unconstitutional Requirements: The lawsuit addresses the County's requirement for applicants to submit new or more recent "medical clearance" letters, even if previous clearances have already been provided and are still valid. This additional requirement is seen as an arbitrary and unnecessary barrier that delays and denies the issuance of CCW permits.

Violation of Second Amendment Rights: The County's policies impose excessive and unreasonable obstacles on citizens wishing to exercise their right to bear arms, as reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n, Inc. v. Bruen.

Due Process Concerns: The County's discretionary practices in issuing permits lead to arbitrary delays and denials, violating procedural due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.

The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Alan Beck and Kevin O'Grady, both of whom have represented HIFICO and its members in past and current lawsuits. Their expertise and commitment to defending Second Amendment rights have been invaluable to our organization and the community.

HIFICO urges the community and fellow advocates for constitutional rights to stand with Mr Terry in this critical legal battle. By challenging these unjust policies, we aim to ensure that the rights of Hawaii’s citizens are protected and upheld.

About Hawaii Firearms Coalition:

The Hawaii Firearms Coalition (HIFICO) is dedicated to defending and promoting the Second Amendment rights of Hawaii's residents. We strive to educate the public and lawmakers about the importance of firearms rights and to ensure that laws and policies respect the constitutional freedoms of individuals.