Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and more or less to Oahu. When I got orders out here, I decided to leave my guns in Virginia with my parents until I got settled. I regret it now, but we had a lot on our plate at the time. Now that I am here I'm looking for options to get them out here. I've done FFL transfers before and figure this is my best bet, but VA has no registration so I don't know if I would need to somehow prove that they are mine. I'd rather not have to go through the whole permitting process for guns I already own, especially since I have several. My only other option would be to fly them with me when I go back to the mainland, but that won't be for many months. I'm also wondering about how to handle an antique - my dad got me a Colt Navy Revolver a little while ago. Technically, I believe it still fires but its from 1851 and in a display case. I'm thinking I'll just wait to fly this one with me, but would appreciate any advice. I also have several thousand rounds back home. I heard from one person that you can just ship them in flat rate boxes but didn't think that was allowed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PS - I don't know how this isn't a repost, but i couldn't fund anything on my search. All I found were members saying to just bring the guns with you, nothing after the fact. Sorry if I missed it.

Welcome to the island and the forum. 

You could go any of the routes you mentioned to get them here, however (unfortunately), you still need to get them registered by HPD in downtown Honolulu.  I do not believe you need to prove the guns are yours through any paperwork, since VA doesn't have registration requirements.  Others with more experience in this can chime in.

I'd recommend just bringing a few key goodies over here, if you are not going to stay permanently.  Just to cut down on the hassle. 

Welcome to the island and the forum. 

You could go any of the routes you mentioned to get them here, however (unfortunately), you still need to get them registered by HPD in downtown Honolulu.  I do not believe you need to prove the guns are yours through any paperwork, since VA doesn't have registration requirements.  Others with more experience in this can chime in.

I'd recommend just bringing a few key goodies over here, if you are not going to stay permanently.  Just to cut down on the hassle.

Thanks. I knew I'd have to register them which is fine, just would rather not have to get all of the permits too. I'll probably be here for 3-4 years, so I'll have to do some thinking on whether or not they'll all be moved here.

Like heavies said, if this is not a permanent move, don't bring all your guns. It's a hassle.

Bear in mind that you are not allowed to possess class 3 items in Hawaii (suppressors, SBR's, SBS's, full auto, AOW)

You are also not allowed to possess pistol magazines over 10 rounds.

Antique stuff doesn't need to be registered.

Whoever told you that it was ok to ship ammo via flat rate boxes was rather mistaken.  USPS Publication 52 is the easiest source to check.

You can carry it back with you in check luggage, but many airlines limit you to 11 pounds per trip.

However, when you fly back home, you can mail all of your long arms to yourself here.  USPS Publication 52 will confirm that rifles and shotguns can be mailed, and the Gun Control Act of 1968 explicitly permits a person to ship firearms to him/herself.  An excellent synopsis can be found at the NRA ILA site.

Went to OGC today and they said I would have to get permits for everything if I did the FFL transfer route. Looks like I'll have to want until I fly home.

Went to OGC today and they said I would have to get permits for everything if I did the FFL transfer route. Looks like I'll have to want until I fly home.

Yep.  If it ends up in the hands of an FFL here, then you have to acquire it from them.

Fly home, drop your longarms in the mail, and your handguns in a suitcase!

Yep.  If it ends up in the hands of an FFL here, then you have to acquire it from them.

Fly home, drop your longarms in the mail, and your handguns in a suitcase!

What Tom said!!

In regards to the older stuff with NO serial #'s, those are better off in your home state.  I have an old .22 that needed a serial # engraved on it before I could acquire it. I really didn't mind as it has no real collectable value other than being a great shooter.

In regards to the older stuff with NO serial #'s, those are better off in your home state.  I have an old .22 that needed a serial # engraved on it before I could acquire it. I really didn't mind as it has no real collectable value other than being a great shooter.

Oh, good point!  HPD will force you to engrave a serial number on anything without one, like perhaps that Colt Navy.  And, if you make the mistake of taking it to them before you've given it a number, they will make you use the G-number assigned to the permit they issue you, which is not a short number. 

Oh, good point!  HPD will force you to engrave a serial number on anything without one, like perhaps that Colt Navy.  And, if you make the mistake of taking it to them before you've given it a number, they will make you use the G-number assigned to the permit they issue you, which is not a short number.

Yup. I asked if I could engrave it on the receiver under the stock and they said NO. They wanted it to be visible without having to remove any parts or obstructions.