The bottom line is no matter how many times you "make yourself clear" that guy from Australia CANT buy a firearm in Hawaii. 

I was referencing that us citizens can but in other states.

Technically, non citizens, resident aliens, and green card holders can buy firearms in the US.  It just gets more involves and usually involves a delay, lots of photocopies, etc. Back home, we sold (with ATF approval) to people from other countries all the time. Mind you, it was long gun only. You'd be amazed how expensive it gets, europeans love Alaska moose hunts. Custom is to give the guide the rifle as a tip when heading home. (usually can't have one without heavy permitting in Europe) Had a guy from Germany drop 8-10k on a moose hunt last fall. 4k+ was just hunting license fees and the like. Guide ended up with a really nice browning stalker in .300wsm with a leupold vx-3 3-9 on top. Great setup. (did the work myself) ended up shooting 3/4moa groups and a 1 shot drop on the moose at 300+ yards. Great shot for a European lol.

So, on topic, the OP technically could buy a long gun in Hawaii, if they were here through the wait and federal delays.

The bottom line is no matter how many times you "make yourself clear" that guy from Australia CANT buy a firearm in Hawaii. 

They can, but not within a 11 day visit. The citizenship requirement is part of HPD's process, not the law. HRS 134-2, has provisions for non citizens that require additional background checks. That being said, the entire process is just too much of a hassle for someone here on vacation.

avalasia: It can be done but won't be easy or even worth it. Unless the "right" people are working the window, expect to spend an entire day at HPD if not more (multiple visits) just to get the application. After that, the additional background checks will add to your wait. The way I see it, calculate the cost of extending your stay to 1 to 2 months just for a permit to acquire (with no guarantee it'll be granted). By the time you add it all up you'd be better off just paying the higher price at home. Also, I'm not 100% sure but they may have restrictions for transporting firearms on international flights. BUT I'm a glass half full kind of guy, so as an alternative to the whole permitting process, try emailing dealers in Hawaii before your visit. If there is a way for you to pay for it in person, then have it shipped/transferred, they'll know.

As for the states you can buy long guns in, I believe it's pretty much any state without permit to purchase stuff. Hell, you can do it in Chicago with no FOID card as of a few days ago. (new ruling)

I'm trying to figure out what to do while I'm on the big island. I'll have to get a permit, but my perminant physical is in Alaska. My temp is on BH, but I have no paperwork to support it. *shrug* will probably just work on my ar and buy stuff when I get home and resume FFL work.

As always, state and county laws apply. California is a no-go (big surprise). But I can confirm those listed by Tom_G from personal experience. And add Nevada (except Clark County) & Florida. Personally, I prefer gun shows over pawn shops but I got a great deal on a Benelli O/U last October in Killeen. Just showed my Hawaii drivers license, paid, and walked out the door with it. For handguns, not all FFL's in the mainland will hassle you about shipping it out of state. Most will allow you to take possession after their state mandated waiting period and let you handle shipping it yourself.

Have you considered using your work address for the permit application?

Citizenship requirements are actually on the Hawaii Defense Foundations radar, but a few more pieces have to fall into place prior to that.   At this time there is no real way to fix this, without becoming a right to carry case or a case of first impression.

Quote from: Nofwitme on April 10, 2011, 11:54:08 AM

Damn. What states are these. I gotta go there. I'm sure it's a lot cheaper than HAWAII. and they ship the handguns as in to a FFL dealer or what?

Utah, Texas, Louisiana, Washington, Arkansas, Arizona.  Have bought rifles or shotguns in each of them and walked out of the store or pawn shop with 'em.  Usually go straight to the post office and ship them home to Hawaii.  Where, of course, I promptly register them!

Handguns get shipped by the seller to a local FFL.  I always take a few copies of Big Al's (Ready on the Right) FFL with me just in case.  He does transfers for the cost of filing the paperwork!

What really rocks about doing this is the used gun market.  New guns on the mainland aren't that much cheaper than they are here once you've paid to get them home.  But going to a place where pawn shops and gun stores really do a brisk trade in used guns is fundamentally different than shopping for a used gun here.  I set aside at least one full day each trip for gun shopping, and visit as many stores and pawn shops as I possibly can until the money runs out.

When you mail yourself the gun, is there any special paperwork to fill out since you're mailing a firearm?

When you mail yourself the gun, is there any special paperwork to fill out since you're mailing a firearm?

The post office can ask you for two things.
1> they can ask you to demonstrate that the gun is unloaded.  Never had them do that yet.
2> they can ask for a signed statement declaring that the gun is unloaded, and that it does not violate the Gun Control Act of 1968.  I always take one of these along with me.

The regs are covered in the USPS Publication 52

Quote from: Nofwitme on April 12, 2011, 01:35:55 AM

When you mail yourself the gun, is there any special paperwork to fill out since you're mailing a firearm?

The post office can ask you for two things.
1> they can ask you to demonstrate that the gun is unloaded.  Never had them do that yet.
2> they can ask for a signed statement declaring that the gun is unloaded, and that it does not violate the Gun Control Act of 1968.  I always take one of these along with me.

The regs are covered in the USPS Publication 52

So is there anyway I can actually get a handgun and take it out of the store with me? This 14 day waiting period is a PITA. I read somewhere in this post that some stores might let you take the handgun out of the store if you wait for that states "waiting period".  Any experience with that?

So is there anyway I can actually get a handgun and take it out of the store with me? This 14 day waiting period is a PITA. I read somewhere in this post that some stores might let you take the handgun out of the store if you wait for that states "waiting period".  Any experience with that?

At this point, the waiting period is a state requirement, not a federal, so you'd need to go to a state that isn't so restrictive. 

Alternately, you could probably exploit the infamous "gun show loophole" by buying from a private seller.  Just be sure that you both follow all the relevant rules!

+1 to what Tom is saying.

Take AK for example. As long as you pass the background check, in and out with whatever you want in 10 minutes. No waiting period except for nfa items. Can't wait to get back and get my form 4's done.

As for mailing firearms, it has to be addressed from yourself, to yourself. That's a big one. If (hypothetically) I had my mom ship a shotgun to me, even if I already owned it, would be breaking federal law.

Just keep track of what you do is all I'm saying. Personally, given shipping and insurance cost, I prefer to fly with mine. $25 for an extra bag (gun case) and I can get 3-5 long guns in it. Going between AK and HI/WA I can carry 50lbs of ammo also. (Alaska Airlines rule)

This has been a very informative post.  Tom, seeing as you have a lot of experience with this is there a way you could compile a writeup or FAQ about the process of buying firearms on the mainland? 

If anyone has questions, just ask.

Steps to buying a long gun on the mainland: Free State Edition

1. Find a store that has the long gun you like
2. Fill 4473 and list home state as proper in box. (For most of you guys, that would be Hawaii)
3. Wait fit nics approval. If delayed return in 3 business days to pick up firearm, per Brady law.
4. Pay for firearm
5. Enjoy

Weapons classified as pistols:
Includes shotguns that come factory with pistol grip only

We always declined a sale for out of state buyers in this case. It is possible to pay for firearm and have it shipped to a local FFL, but that is up to the specific dealer.

No can do.

You must be a resident of the state of the state in which you purchase firearms.

11 days of vacation doesn't qualify.

Sorry. 

Only true for handguns, you can buy a long gun in any state with your Hawaii ID.

+1 to what Tom is saying.

Take AK for example. As long as you pass the background check, in and out with whatever you want in 10 minutes. No waiting period except for nfa items. Can't wait to get back and get my form 4's done.

As for mailing firearms, it has to be addressed from yourself, to yourself. That's a big one. If (hypothetically) I had my mom ship a shotgun to me, even if I already owned it, would be breaking federal law.

Just keep track of what you do is all I'm saying. Personally, given shipping and insurance cost, I prefer to fly with mine. $25 for an extra bag (gun case) and I can get 3-5 long guns in it. Going between AK and HI/WA I can carry 50lbs of ammo also. (Alaska Airlines rule)

Did that with three of my ARs when I moved to TX, mailed to myself from Ewa Beach to Lake Havasu, AZ to bypass California on my drive to Texas.  What you got on form 4 pending?  Ive got a KAC QDSS NT4 still on form 3 from Arkansas and a AR lower on Form 1, been waiting on the can since Christmas week and the AR lower about 2 weeks.  Wouldve been nice to get them on the same timeframe, but I got a feeling the form 1 will be back by the time the can gets to my local dealer, and Ill be in for another 2-3 month wait on the form 4 before I get to take it home.

This has been a very informative post.  Tom, seeing as you have a lot of experience with this is there a way you could compile a writeup or FAQ about the process of buying firearms on the mainland? 

Sorry, I've been in DC for almost 2 weeks, didn't mean to bail.

I did a writeup in the Hawaii Rifleman a while back about how to ship firearms, which is the lion's share of what's complicated about buying out-of-state.  Also, when you buy longarms out-of-state, you don't need a permit to acquire.  You'll still need one for handguns, as the handgun will be sent to a local FFL, who will doubtless register it.

I'll file this idea and use it as an article in the Rifleman sometime later this summer, probably July or August.  Then we can link to that.