Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to Hawaii handgun restriction
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Hawaii may prohibit concealed‑carry permit holders from bringing handguns onto private property that is open to the public unless the property owner gives express authorization. The case stems from a 2023 Hawaii law enacted after the Court’s 2022 Bruen decision; the Ninth Circuit upheld the statute, and Solicitor General D. John Sauer urged the high court to take the case, calling the lower‑court ruling effectively a near‑complete ban on carrying in public.
Legal
Public Safety
🔍 Key Facts
- Supreme Court granted review of the challenge to Hawaii's 2023 firearms statute (decision announced Oct. 2025).
- Law prohibits concealed handguns on types of property including beaches, playgrounds, bars and restaurants serving alcohol, and private property open to the public unless the owner gives 'express authorization'.
- The Ninth Circuit upheld the law below; the Trump administration (SG D. John Sauer) filed in favor of review, while public‑safety advocates such as Janet Carter (Everytown Law) urged upholding the restriction.