Okay, so a few questions.  I have been isued a Colorado CHL which required a class (NRA First Steps) because my Military training and qualifications were over10 years old at the time.  I now have a current Washington state CHL.  Having owned them for some time, I may not have the original Bills of sales for each.  I intend to have them shipped through the MWR as I'm a DoD Civilian Employee.  I know I will have 72 hours to get down to HPD to fill out their paperwork after I take posession of them from the Rod & Gun Club at Schofield.  I know about the mag capacity thing and that will be addressed before my P228 ships and the other handguns do not have a capacity issue.

What if anything regarding the registration of my handguns and rifles will be required to satisfy HPD?

Will I have to take any classes or other such before having my firearms shipped to me when I get to the islands?
 
What kinds of potential headaches am I going to be looking at?

If you are not transporting your guns either through a house hold goods shipment, or bringing them on the plane -- you will be shipping through an FFL. You would be required to have proof of that NRA first steps course, however, that may be insufficient, since first steps is only 3 hrs (and does not cover Hawaii laws).

When I do the training for students, we make sure that the appropriate # of hours of classroom (4) and range (2) is documented on the sheet, since that is what is called out in the law.

So it comes down to this:

1- If you transport the guns in, I would say you are good to go, or;

2- If you are shipping through an FFL I am sensing probable issues with your handgun safety class.

That First Steps class I took was in Colorado and was at my old Gun Club.  They taught the class specifically to meet the requirements  for those interested in attaining a CHL there which included it had to be minimum of 4 hours classroom and 2 hours range.  It was actually longer on both.  The MWR/Rod & Gun Club serve the function as licensed FFL's.  If needed I can ship them inside my household goods, but I would prefer the MWR transfer.

That First Steps class I took was in Colorado and was at my old Gun Club.  They taught the class specifically to meet the requirements  for those interested in attaining a CHL there which included it had to be minimum of 4 hours classroom and 2 hours range.  It was actually longer on both.  The MWR/Rod & Gun Club serve the function as licensed FFL's.  If needed I can ship them inside my household goods, but I would prefer the MWR transfer.

I hope you have the paper work saying your numbers. The "real" first steps class is only three hours long. All instructors here that teach the class add in Hawaii laws and a few other things to increase the time limit of First steps to meet state requirements.

Which is why my gun club tailored it to meet the requirements as well.  The proof was my being issued the Colorado CHL, as I met the requirements.  Had I not, it wouldn't have been.

^^^Have you called HPD yet to check directly with them?

Which is why my gun club tailored it to meet the requirements as well.  The proof was my being issued the Colorado CHL, as I met the requirements.  Had I not, it wouldn't have been.

Have you thought about mailing them to yourself?

^^^Have you called HPD yet to check directly with them?

I've gotten conflicting answers the two times I've called, like every other question I've asked them.  I have little confidence that they know what the correct answers are.

As for shipping the guns to myself, I feel much more secure if they go through the FFL transfer via the MWR.  Question is when do they get shipped.  I could send them a day or two before I leave here en route to the islands or "transfer" them to a trusted friend to send to me once I am already there.  I'm trying to work out the logistics of things to determine what will work best, smoothest and while minimizing the amount of headaches and stress involved.

HPD is NO help at this point.

Quote from: GZire on October 24, 2011, 11:07:42 AM

^^^Have you called HPD yet to check directly with them?

I've gotten conflicting answers the two times I've called, like every other question I've asked them.  I have little confidence that they know what the correct answers are.

As for shipping the guns to myself, I feel much more secure if they go through the FFL transfer via the MWR.  Question is when do they get shipped.  I could send them a day or two before I leave here en route to the islands or "transfer" them to a trusted friend to send to me once I am already there.  I'm trying to work out the logistics of things to determine what will work best, smoothest and while minimizing the amount of headaches and stress involved.

HPD is NO help at this point.

If you FFL them in, you are probably going to have to do the dog and pony show to get them.  Just going down and "picking" them up from an FFL sounds suspect to me.

I am guessing that if you can FFL them, then you have possession of them and and can fly with them yourself.  If you fly them in, you will only have to register them.  No stupid human tricks first.

How many guns we talking about here?

I would bring the guns you want for self-defense in on a plane. It will cost you just as much for the FFL transfer, gas, trips, and headaches... as it would to pay the $50 dollar extra bag fee and ship them with you.  Then you just register them.  Additionally, if you have handguns... they have to go 2nd day air. That's another 40-50 dollars right there in itself.

How much is the rod and gun club charging? I don't think that is a MWR program; from what I know the government is not in the business of conducting FFL transfers for you.

What *is* HPD telling you? On all occasions?

Quote from: GZire on October 24, 2011, 11:07:42 AM

^^^Have you called HPD yet to check directly with them?

I've gotten conflicting answers the two times I've called, like every other question I've asked them.  I have little confidence that they know what the correct answers are.

As for shipping the guns to myself, I feel much more secure if they go through the FFL transfer via the MWR.  Question is when do they get shipped.  I could send them a day or two before I leave here en route to the islands or "transfer" them to a trusted friend to send to me once I am already there.  I'm trying to work out the logistics of things to determine what will work best, smoothest and while minimizing the amount of headaches and stress involved.

HPD is NO help at this point.

I see.  You don't want to just carry them here with you?  Too much stuff being shipped at once?

Which is why my gun club tailored it to meet the requirements as well.  The proof was my being issued the Colorado CHL, as I met the requirements.  Had I not, it wouldn't have been.

That's what HPD would probably call a technicality that doesn't apply here. You can try to play that card, but I would be surprised if it worked.

Anywho, as others have said, if you want to avoid headaches, bring them with you on the plane or ship them to yourself. You'll have plenty of chances over the next few years to deal with our Registration process out here...do yourself a favor and limit the pain.

On a side note, welcome! Looking forward to meeting you soon!

- Alex

Quote from: Growler67 on October 24, 2011, 11:04:55 AM

Which is why my gun club tailored it to meet the requirements as well.  The proof was my being issued the Colorado CHL, as I met the requirements.  Had I not, it wouldn't have been.

That's what HPD would probably call a technicality that doesn't apply here. You can try to play that card, but I would be surprised if it worked.

Anywho, as others have said, if you want to avoid headaches, bring them with you on the plane or ship them to yourself. You'll have plenty of chances over the next few years to deal with our Registration process out here...do yourself a favor and limit the pain.

On a side note, welcome! Looking forward to meeting you soon!

- Alex

This is what I am betting on, but I have been wrong before.

So its required for handgun registration or for any firearm?  What are the potential implications if I have them shipped with household goods, beside I "take posession" when the bill of shipping is delivered to the house......then the 72 hour clock begins, right?

If I bring documentation that my class was 4 hours or more plus 2 hours or more, will that suffice for HPD?  I've gotten one yes and one no when I've called them which is why I have no confidence in asking them anything anymore.

Your letter needs to show:

(4) hours of class
(2) hours of range
 + instruction of Hawaii laws (will they check for this, I don't know, but my forms put it on there).

Don't worry about the 72 hour clock.  When you get your guns from the connex box and they are delivered to your home, take them in with one phrase in mind: "Out of state transfer."

So its required for handgun registration or for any firearm?  What are the potential implications if I have them shipped with household goods, beside I "take posession" when the bill of shipping is delivered to the house......then the 72 hour clock begins, right?

All firearms must be registered with the State. If you bring them here through any means OTHER than FFL transfer, then you don't have to worry about any of the training requirements; all you would have to do is bring them to the Firearms Divisions and register them on the spot...easy day.

If I bring documentation that my class was 4 hours or more plus 2 hours or more, will that suffice for HPD?  I've gotten one yes and one no when I've called them which is why I have no confidence in asking them anything anymore.

The problem, as you can see, is that it depends on who is working at the counter at the Firearms Division, that's why we can't give you a solid answer. It seems to me that if you brought in documentation-FROM THE INSTRUCTOR-that stated what the training consisted of, there is a chance that they would say that you're good to go. The problem though, is what if you get to the window at HPD to apply for your "Permit to Acquire" the firearm from the FFL (which would start the 2-week countdown) and whoever is working that day tells you that it isn't sufficient to meet Hawaii's requirements. Then they won't even begin processing the paperwork which means that you will a) have wasted a trip downtown, b) have to schedule training ASAP, then c) return to HPD to go through the whole process again (which would mean waiting another 2 weeks).

- Alex

I'll teach you Hawaii laws and give an notarized form if you want just for that section. You might be able to combine that with the training requirements on your other documents.  I can't guarantee anything though.

As for the time requirement...I've picked up my papers at the firearms department when a guy walked in and was looking for a specific person he was talking to on the phone. Apparently, 2 months prior, he bought a rifle from Sports Authority, but he was too sick to register it within 72 hours, but still was able to take the rifle and go hunting in Kauai or Maui that same weekend he bought it (huh?  ). Now, 2 months later, he finally brought it in to get registered (sounded like it was due to someone at the department reminding him that he needs to get it registered).

So its required for handgun registration or for any firearm?  What are the potential implications if I have them shipped with household goods, beside I "take posession" when the bill of shipping is delivered to the house......then the 72 hour clock begins, right? If I bring documentation that my class was 4 hours or more plus 2 hours or more, will that suffice for HPD?  I've gotten one yes and one no when I've called them which is why I have no confidence in asking them anything anymore.

I shipped some with my house hold goods, took them down and registered them. No issues.

What is this 2 week clock thing?

So let me try and wrap my head around things.  If I ship my guns with my household goods, I can take your class on just the Hawaii state laws portion while my stuff is in transit, then rgister them upon their arrival with all my documentation.  Or if needed, I can get a whole "Hawaii" class while awaiting arrival of my stuff to satisfy HPD.  And this is just for handguns or for any firearm?

I knew there were plenty of reasons I left the islands prior to July '94.