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Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii (Read 20356 times)

avalasia

Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« on: April 03, 2011, 08:04:28 PM »
I will be visiting Hawaii for a holiday in June and wanted to know if it will be possible to purchase a firearm during my trip.

I am an Australian citizen (traveling to Hawaii from Australia) and hold all necessary firearms and hunting licenses which allow me to own a firearms in Australia however i am unsure of what is needed to purchase a firearms in the united states.

My partner is a United States citizen which i hope will make my life easier as i have read that only citizens can legally purchase firearms. Is there any chance i would be able to purchase a firearm??

The firearm would not be used in Hawaii
Would accompany me back to Australia on my departure from Hawaii

I will be in Hawaii for 11 days and from what i have read there is a 14 day waiting period on a permit to acquire, can these permits be completed prior to arriving in hawaii?
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Funtimes

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2011, 08:49:49 PM »
This would be new for me -- I don't know and will have to research.

My initial thoughts is that you would not be able to purchase a handgun in Hawaii.  (Class requirements, time requirements, permit + registration).
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Tom_G

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2011, 07:20:16 AM »
I'm pretty sure that only US citizens can buy firearms.  And having your partner buy one for you is pretty much the definition of a straw man purchase. 

Also, the first time you apply for a permit here, you (or your partner) have to be fingerprinted for the background check.  Which means there's not any way to get a jump start on the process, you and your fingers will have to show up in person.

I'd say this isn't looking promising.
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The difference between theory and reality is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and reality.

avalasia

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2011, 01:13:47 AM »
i emailed some firearms dealers in Hawaii and the verdict is that i won't be able to buy.

I guess that means i have to pay double the price here in Sydney.. Oh well sh|t happens.
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Kingkeoni

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2011, 12:08:47 AM »
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.  :(
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Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

Tom_G

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2011, 01:23:54 AM »
Quote from: Kingkeoni on April 10, 2011, 12:08:47 AM

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


Not true.  I frequently buy firearms in states where I am not a resident.  It's one of the primary reasons I bother going to the mainland!
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The difference between theory and reality is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and reality.

Kingkeoni

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2011, 08:40:02 AM »
Tom you cannot take possession of a firearm in another state.

That is federal law.

You must have it shipped to an FFL in your state of residence.

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Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

Kingkeoni

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2011, 08:53:31 AM »
Here's your very own copy of the ATF Federal Firearms Regulations

http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-4.pdf
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Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

Tom_G

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2011, 09:08:36 AM »
Quote from: Kingkeoni on April 10, 2011, 08:40:02 AM
Tom you cannot take possession of a firearm in another state.

That is federal law.

You must have it shipped to an FFL in your state of residence.



And I repeat, I do this regularly.  In the gun stores, they have me fill out the form, they run the background check, and they hand me the gun.  I've done this dozens of times over the years I've lived here in multiple states.  The only limitation has been that they insist on shipping handguns.  Rifles and shotguns, though, no worries.

Feel free to find the citation in that 243 page document and prove me wrong!
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The difference between theory and reality is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and reality.

Alaskana

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2011, 09:50:12 AM »
Several states have exemptions, but the majority will allow nonresidents to purchase long guns. Handgun and nfa are restricted to home state. (there is an amendment to the law going through congress though, I believe)

.mil have a weird thing too. Just need a copy of orders, along with usual paperwork, and they can buy whatever. (orders let them get around residency)
(sold thousands of guns working for a FFL)
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TeamMidori

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2011, 11:54:08 AM »
Quote from: Tom_G on April 10, 2011, 09:08:36 AM
Quote from: Kingkeoni on April 10, 2011, 08:40:02 AM
Tom you cannot take possession of a firearm in another state.

That is federal law.

You must have it shipped to an FFL in your state of residence.



And I repeat, I do this regularly.  In the gun stores, they have me fill out the form, they run the background check, and they hand me the gun.  I've done this dozens of times over the years I've lived here in multiple states.  The only limitation has been that they insist on shipping handguns.  Rifles and shotguns, though, no worries.

Feel free to find the citation in that 243 page document and prove me wrong!

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?
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Tom_G

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2011, 02:35:01 PM »
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. 
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The difference between theory and reality is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and reality.

808shooter

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #12 on: April 10, 2011, 02:49:46 PM »
So Ready On the Right will do transfers from private owners on the mainland?  Wanted to get into the used gun/gunbroker thing, but wasn't sure about the transfer.
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Alaskana

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #13 on: April 10, 2011, 03:21:56 PM »
Tom, hate to tell ya, but unless there is some crazy Hawaii law, there is no fee for paperwork from the gov. (did you mean dealer's time?)

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.
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Tom_G

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #14 on: April 10, 2011, 03:40:06 PM »
Quote from: 808shooter on April 10, 2011, 02:49:46 PM
So Ready On the Right will do transfers from private owners on the mainland?  Wanted to get into the used gun/gunbroker thing, but wasn't sure about the transfer.

Yep.  Most local FFLs will do it, but Big Al's entire business is transfers and consignment sales.  And he's got the best price on transfers I've found on the island. 
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The difference between theory and reality is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and reality.

Kingkeoni

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #15 on: April 10, 2011, 07:39:19 PM »
Tom, as you've pointed out, you must take delivery of a handgun in your home state according to federal law.

As for long guns. Some states will allow you to purchase long guns in their state as long as they know that the long gun is legal in your state.

Are you saying that you buy long guns in other states and list your home state as Hawaii and they give you possession of the long gun right there?

Which state does that? As they would have to be knowledgeable of Hawaii state laws in order to be legal.

Oh and I second the vote for Al as the best bet for FFL transfers into the state.

I don't think very many gun stores do it anymore.
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Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

ibuytoys

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #16 on: April 10, 2011, 08:43:17 PM »
OGC does transfers all the time at a very reasonable price too.
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Tom_G

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #17 on: April 10, 2011, 09:43:13 PM »
Quote from: Kingkeoni on April 10, 2011, 07:39:19 PM
Are you saying that you buy long guns in other states and list your home state as Hawaii and they give you possession of the long gun right there?

Which state does that?

I thought I was clear.  Yes, as part of the purchase of any firearm, proper identification must be displayed.  Mine clearly says "Hawaii."  And every state I listed earlier did that.  Which is why I listed them as examples of places where I had purchased, taken possession of, and walked out with, a firearm.
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The difference between theory and reality is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and reality.

Alaskana

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2011, 10:43:31 PM »
King, read my above post. If you have any questions, let me know.
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Kingkeoni

Re: Help, wanting to purchase firearm in Hawaii
« Reply #19 on: April 11, 2011, 12:37:23 AM »
The bottom line is no matter how many times you "make yourself clear" that guy from Australia CANT buy a firearm in Hawaii.  :closed:
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Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
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