I registered handguns twice, four days after acquisition and HPD did not say anything. I read the laws on gun registration and did not see anything about having to register a handgun in two days. If there is such a requirement can someone direct me to exactly where it is?
If I was told correctly, here's how the story is supposed to go. Remember, this is just for local purchase from stores, receiving a gun directly from out-of-state seller (mail), or private sale if both are Hawaii residents. Different rules apply to other situations.
We have to differentiate
PERMIT from
REGISTRATION. First step is the TRANSFER, which requires a PERMIT to Acquire.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0134/HRS_0134-0002.htm
§134-2 Permits to acquire.
(f) In all cases where a pistol or revolver is acquired from another person within the State, the permit shall be signed in ink by the person to whom title to the pistol or revolver is transferred and shall be delivered to the person who is transferring title to the firearm, who shall verify that the person to whom the firearm is to be transferred is the person named in the permit and enter on the permit in the space provided the following information: name of the person to whom the title to the firearm was transferred; names of the manufacturer and importer; model; type of action; caliber or gauge; and serial number as applicable. The person who is transferring title to the firearm shall sign the permit in ink and cause the permit to be delivered or sent by registered mail to the issuing authority within forty-eight hours after transferring the firearm.
In all cases where receipt of a firearm is had by mail, express, freight, or otherwise from sources without the State, the person to whom the permit has been issued shall make the prescribed entries on the permit, sign the permit in ink, and cause the permit to be delivered or sent by registered mail to the issuing authority within forty-eight hours after taking possession of the firearm.
In all cases where a rifle or shotgun is acquired from another person within the State, the person who is transferring title to the rifle or shotgun shall submit, within forty-eight hours after transferring the firearm, to the authority which issued the permit to acquire, the following information, in writing: name of the person who transferred the firearm, name of the person to whom the title to the firearm was transferred; names of the manufacturer and importer; model; type of action; caliber or gauge; and serial number as applicable.
All of this basically says the Permit to Acquire, which has multiple pages, must be forwarded to the police dept in 2 days by the gun shop or private seller unless the gun comes from out of state, in which case the buyer has to do it. This notifies the police of the transfer.
Now, we get to registration:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0134/HRS_0134-0003.htm
§134-3 Registration, mandatory, exceptions.
(b) Every person who acquires a firearm pursuant to section 134-2 shall register the firearm in the manner prescribed by this section within five days of acquisition. The registration shall be on forms prescribed by the attorney general, which shall be uniform throughout the State, and shall include the following information: name of the manufacturer and importer; model; type of action; caliber or gauge; serial number; and source from which receipt was obtained, including the name and address of the prior registrant. If the firearm has no serial number, the permit number shall be entered in the space provided for the serial number, and the permit number shall be engraved upon the receiver portion of the firearm prior to registration. All registration data that would identify the individual registering the firearm by name or address shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed to anyone, except as may be required for processing the registration or as may be required by a law enforcement agency for the lawful performance of its duties or as may be required by order of a court.
So, the buyer now has 5 days from the date the transfer happened to take the gun in and register it. While the gun shop might have a 2-day deadline to send in the permit, the buyer has a 5-day deadline to register.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!