Can't an FFL refuse you a sale based on anything they want?  For example, something just seems wrong about you?

So, if they know your state requires a permit to acquire, can't they also require you show that before buying?  That way they know you weren't turned down and are now are trying to circumvent that denial?

Otherwise, they can just have a set policy they only ship to an FFL in Hawaii.  That way they know you have to abide by your state's requirements before picking it up.

Don't blame the seller.  Blame Hawaii's laws.

Can't an FFL refuse you a sale based on anything they want?  For example, something just seems wrong about you?

So, if they know your state requires a permit to acquire, can't they also require you show that before buying?  That way they know you weren't turned down and are now are trying to circumvent that denial?

Otherwise, they can just have a set policy they only ship to an FFL in Hawaii.  That way they know you have to abide by your state's requirements before picking it up.

Don't blame the seller.  Blame Hawaii's laws.

A 4473 is still required for dealer purchases, a private seller could care less.  cash and carry in most States on the mainland.

Can't an FFL refuse you a sale based on anything they want?  For example, something just seems wrong about you?

So, if they know your state requires a permit to acquire, can't they also require you show that before buying?  That way they know you weren't turned down and are now are trying to circumvent that denial?

Otherwise, they can just have a set policy they only ship to an FFL in Hawaii.  That way they know you have to abide by your state's requirements before picking it up.

Don't blame the seller.  Blame Hawaii's laws.

Why the fuck would they? Hawaiis las do t apply to them. Why would they turn down a sale ?

Is
It different with pistols ?

I have bought long guns from other states. No problems bringing them back and registering them here in Hawaii. HPD didn't even ask me anything about when I brought them to the state (even though I came in within 48 hours of landing here).

Is
It different with pistols ?

Most State don't care what type of firearms are transferred under private parties. Some State do regulate handguns to residents only and require some sort of paperwork with a dealer.

A 4473 is still required for dealer purchases, a private seller could care less.  cash and carry in most States on the mainland.

Most State don't care what type of firearms are transferred under private parties. Some State do regulate handguns to residents only and require some sort of paperwork with a dealer.

State laws do vary, but you know better...

A private party sale/transfer of any firearm between residents of different States must go through a FFL, otherwise it violates Federal law.

Hello all,

[Moderator forgive me if this has been asked/answered somewhere else, this forum is so huge I didn't find it]

May I buy a long arm in another state and fly home with it and register it?

I am NOT talking about ordering one online or over the phone, having the distant vendor send it to a dealer in Hawaii, and getting it that way.

I am talking about physically going to another state in-person, buying one there, and flying home with it.

Is that legal/illegal in HPD/Hawaii's eyes?
Presuming the distant state doesn't care where I reside at and does sell to me, why would Hawaii care if I bought it somewhere else?

I am a Hawaii resident. I am traveling to Louisiana on a business trip, and just talked to a salesgirl there who said they could sell to me (even though I am a Hawaii, NOT a Louisiana resident) with only a quick phone call/check up of me via some...database or agency somewhere... Regardless of weather or not that is true in LA, for the purposes of this forum, what would Hawaii/HPD think of that purchase?
Would they seize it after I pass it to them through the thick glass a their Beretania St registration window and not give it back to me???

You may purchase and take possession of a long gun from any licensed dealer in the mainland, as long as it is not prohibited by that states laws. You'll have to register it within 5 days of bringing in back to Hawaii.

A handgun would require shipping to a licensed dealer here, then you do your 4473, apply for the permit, and wait the 14 days.

That's just how it's done in compliance with Federal and State law.


There is no law in Louisiana that prohibits sales through a licensed dealer to non-residents. Some places may have "store policies", so just take your business down the road...There are a lot of small mom and pop places and pawn shops that will be happy to make the sale.  As long as the place has their FFL, you're good to go.

I purchased a long gun in Fairbanks @ Fred Meyer in 2014. Just had to have a valid Hawaii Hawaii permit and a Hawaii drivers license. No prob registering it here when I got back...

Went to a couple gun shops. Both said needed to be resident. That was in 2012 I think. Didn't really question as I wasn't really serious. Was just asking if I came across a great deal. Was more serious about ammo, but didn't end up bringing home any.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some to think of it, when I asked about this in the two LGSs, it was handguns, not long guns.  Maybe they had different rules about residency for handguns and long guns. 

Most State don't care what type of firearms are transferred under private parties. Some State do regulate handguns to residents only and require some sort of paperwork with a dealer.

is their ant Federal/ATF laws to worry about ?

is their ant Federal/ATF laws to worry about ?

Most States:

Cousin Joe-Bob has a gun you like, You give him $300 and its yours. No paperwork required on the federal level. Most States do not require any notification of a sale or transfer.

thanks all, especially the concrete answers some of you threw out.

Let me help answer my own question, but don't let that stop the conversation keep going.

I just called the HPD firearms phone number and a civilian sounding lady (odd, as I've only ever seen uniform males working the windows - all two times I've been there - maybe she was a clerk in the back?) told me no problem. She said something about a new $42 fee since DEC 2016 (dagnabbit! I got my PtA n Oct or Nov!!!), but otherwise okay.

Of course all of this discussion is about long arms only. Also, on the Louisiana side of the equation, they said must be LA resident for pistolas but no problem for a long arm. This was all just three-minute counter talk so I'm not positive, I've not yet tried to actually buy one here. Yet...

FYI, I was thinking that opportunity/price would be a very compelling reason to buy one while here vs buying one in Hawaii. But I just cold-called a couple/three of the more well known gun shops back on Oahu and many guns similar to what I'm looking for are available in Oahu stores and also close to or right at MSRP. So price/availability does not seem to be a really big 'plus' to buying on the mainland. If anything, a 'minus' might be the hassle of buying a case and paying airline to check it as baggage.

I still may buy one up here, just because I KNOW I can get one here because I see it on the rack right now and if I get home it'll turn into an "oh, we just sold the last one last week" or "we don't carry that model anymore but can order it" story...
Also, any chance I get to do something non-traditional with Hawaii's "isms", I do it.  I buy all my vehicles in Washington and ship them in Matson. And STILL save thousands. I respect the free market - if a Hawaii merchant wants to treat me like a captured audience, then fair enough. The flip side is if I can get something on the outside and bring it in, then fair enough right back at em.

But definitely don't let this stop the conversation, keep going with the anecdotes they all help to inform us..

thanks all, especially the concrete answers some of you threw out.

Let me help answer my own question, but don't let that stop the conversation keep going.

I just called the HPD firearms phone number and a civilian sounding lady (odd, as I've only ever seen uniform males working the windows - all two times I've been there - maybe she was a clerk in the back?) told me no problem. She said something about a new $42 fee since DEC 2016 (dagnabbit! I got my PtA n Oct or Nov!!!), but otherwise okay.

Of course all of this discussion is about long arms only. Also, on the Louisiana side of the equation, they said must be LA resident for pistolas but no problem for a long arm. This was all just three-minute counter talk so I'm not positive, I've not yet tried to actually buy one here. Yet...

FYI, I was thinking that opportunity/price would be a very compelling reason to buy one while here vs buying one in Hawaii. But I just cold-called a couple/three of the more well known gun shops back on Oahu and many guns similar to what I'm looking for are available in Oahu stores and also close to or right at MSRP. So price/availability does not seem to be a really big 'plus' to buying on the mainland. If anything, a 'minus' might be the hassle of buying a case and paying airline to check it as baggage.

I still may buy one up here, just because I KNOW I can get one here because I see it on the rack right now and if I get home it'll turn into an "oh, we just sold the last one last week" or "we don't carry that model anymore but can order it" story...
Also, any chance I get to do something non-traditional with Hawaii's "isms", I do it.  I buy all my vehicles in Washington and ship them in Matson. And STILL save thousands. I respect the free market - if a Hawaii merchant wants to treat me like a captured audience, then fair enough. The flip side is if I can get something on the outside and bring it in, then fair enough right back at em.

But definitely don't let this stop the conversation, keep going with the anecdotes they all help to inform us..

BTW, I also called Hawaii's field office of ATF to get a federal opinion on this and one guy didn't know squat and he transferred me to another guy who's off island for a couple weeks. So... no position from ATF perspective.

I think I'll chance em.

ATF has been Trumpified.

https://bearingarms.com/beth-b/2017/02/07/atf-white-paper-gun-regulations/

I'm going to further answer my own OP.

Turns out Louisiana was a no-go in my case. LA can sell only to resident of adjacent states.

But I think I learned enough to say that the general idea holds water - you as a Hawaii state resident can buy a gun from out of Hawaii state and carry it home and there is no problem registering it, nor do you need a state permit to purchase first. Just have to find a state that will sell to out of state-ers.

Also, I'm talking only about rifles. Handguns are a completely different ball of wax in almost every state.

You cannot buy a handgun from a licensed dealer in any state, if you are not a resident of that state or one of the adjacent states that the state you are in recognizes.  They will have to ship it to an FFL in your state. Some dealers won't even do that.  Too much trouble.  Long guns, no problem.

Both of those relate to NFA items, and as stated after Haynes they changed it so that a felons can register an NFA item and not be charged with illegal possession,

There is currently a bill in hawaii that would decriminalize late registration for  this reason. By registring a gun late you would be forced into incriminating yourself. Now if this bill passes you would be on your own.

Its a 2 part bill. It decriminalizes late registration if YOU bring it to them. But if they find it, it is a petty misdemeanor crime punishable by confiscation of the firearm. Most importantly, you would be convicted of a firearm crime.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1036&year=2017

Legally you can buy a long gun in any other state as long as it is legal to have that particular firearm in your state of residence.

So if you were so lucky be a resident of Commiefornia, you couldn't purchase a standard AR anywhere in the country (unless you spent the extra $ to have it configured CA legal, but why waste the money)

via NRA-ILA
Interstate Gun Sales

Federal law for interstate gun sales and other transfers – those occurring between two people who are not Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) who live in different states — is pretty straightforward. A person who is not an FFL cannot acquire a handgun from anyone – an FFL or any other person – who lives in another state. A person (the “transferee”) acquiring a long gun must do so through a licensed dealer (FFL). It can be an FFL in any state, the transfer must comply with the laws of the FFL’s and the transferee’s states.

To begin the transfer process for a long gun acquired interstate, the transferee must fill out a form 4473 which requires identification information and requires the transferee to answer questions stating that he or she is not acquiring the firearm for someone else (other than as a gift), and that he or she is not prohibited by law from possessing firearms. It’s a federal felony to provide false information on a form 4473, so read the questions carefully.

The FFL then calls the FBI or a state law enforcement agency, depending on the state in which the transaction is taking place, and the transferee will be screened through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and, in some states, state databases of persons prohibited from possessing firearms. Once the check is completed successfully, usually a matter of only a few minutes, the FFL may transfer the firearm.

The only exceptions relate to things like gun repairs. If you need to send your gun out of state to an FFL manufacturer, you can so do directly without going to a local FFL. That FFL manufacturer can also send your gun back to you directly.

Legally you can buy a long gun in any other state as long as it is legal to have that particular firearm in your state of residence.

So if you were so lucky be a resident of Commiefornia, you couldn't purchase a standard AR anywhere in the country (unless you spent the extra $ to have it configured CA legal, but why waste the money)

via NRA-ILA
Interstate Gun Sales

Federal law for interstate gun sales and other transfers – those occurring between two people who are not Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) who live in different states — is pretty straightforward. A person who is not an FFL cannot acquire a handgun from anyone – an FFL or any other person – who lives in another state. A person (the “transferee”) acquiring a long gun must do so through a licensed dealer (FFL). It can be an FFL in any state, the transfer must comply with the laws of the FFL’s and the transferee’s states.

To begin the transfer process for a long gun acquired interstate, the transferee must fill out a form 4473 which requires identification information and requires the transferee to answer questions stating that he or she is not acquiring the firearm for someone else (other than as a gift), and that he or she is not prohibited by law from possessing firearms. It’s a federal felony to provide false information on a form 4473, so read the questions carefully.

The FFL then calls the FBI or a state law enforcement agency, depending on the state in which the transaction is taking place, and the transferee will be screened through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and, in some states, state databases of persons prohibited from possessing firearms. Once the check is completed successfully, usually a matter of only a few minutes, the FFL may transfer the firearm.

The only exceptions relate to things like gun repairs. If you need to send your gun out of state to an FFL manufacturer, you can so do directly without going to a local FFL. That FFL manufacturer can also send your gun back to you directly.

Deleted by poster

Looking at buying another hunting rifle in Reno, Nv and bringing it back. Anyone familiar with tis and can you do this in NV?