Residents of Honolulu can expect a more efficient process for applying for permits to carry guns in public, as the city has agreed to grant or deny applications within four months of submission. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by residents who raised concerns about significant delays, some lasting up to a year.
The lawsuit, filed in March, alleged that the prolonged delays were a deliberate tactic by the city to maintain strict restrictions on gun permits, a practice that was prevalent prior to a landmark 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. This ruling had a nationwide impact on gun laws, including those in Hawaii, known for having some of the most stringent gun regulations in the country.
