A U.S. appeals court panel recently upheld Hawaii’s law prohibiting firearms on its famous beaches. The law, implemented in 2023, includes restrictions on carrying guns in areas considered sensitive, such as banks, bars, and restaurants serving alcohol. Three Maui residents had challenged the law, arguing that Hawaii had gone too far with its broad ban.
Last year, a U.S. district court judge in Honolulu granted a preliminary injunction against the law, which prompted Hawaii to appeal the decision. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion on Friday, reversing the lower court’s ruling on beaches, parks, bars, and restaurants serving alcohol. However, the panel affirmed the ruling for banks and specific parking lots.
The court’s ruling highlighted that modern-day beaches in Hawaii resemble parks more than historic beaches, justifying the state’s ban on firearms in these areas. Hawaii, known for its strict gun laws and low rates of gun violence, has been navigating its firearm regulations in light of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding the right to bear arms.
The attorney representing the Maui residents and the Hawaii Firearms Coalition expressed disappointment over the court’s decision, especially regarding rural parks and beaches, which can pose safety concerns. The Hawaii attorney general’s office welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that it aligns with public safety measures and historical traditions.
The court’s decision also impacts a similar challenge in California concerning a ban on carrying guns in certain public places. While California is allowed to enforce bans in specific locations like bars, restaurants, and parks, the attorney general’s office in California is reviewing the ruling.
Residents carrying guns in public is a relatively recent development in Hawaii following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Prior to this ruling, Hawaii’s county police chiefs made it challenging to obtain permits for carrying firearms. The Supreme Court decision prompted Hawaii to revise its gun laws, including legislation allowing more individuals to carry concealed firearms. Both Hawaii and California have since enacted laws restricting guns in sensitive locations.
