A relative came to me with this one over the weekend.  Couldn't find, or at least I didn't realize that was the case, exactly what I was looking for.

Situation.  A family member has a handgun that no longer wants it and wants to give it to a family member.  I didn't ask, but I am not sure if the gun is registered.  I believe it's a "bring back" service handgun from the Korean War.  I believe 1953 or so was the date mentioned. 

First question is what to do about guns that may not have been registered in the first place?  I was looking up the transfer verbiage and it mentions needing info for the previous registered owner. 

Second question is said receiving family member is an experienced shooter (why he was offered the handgun).  Entry into RapBack is also a negative to accepting the handgun.  What are some options?  The only ones I see are giving the gun to another who would be ok with registering it and doing RapBack or outright turning it into HPD. 

I'll PM later when I have time. I don't want my reply out in the clear for the trolls and the moles.


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I'll PM later when I have time. I don't want my reply out in the clear for the trolls and the moles.


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Ahh.  Yeah, there's that. Thank you!  I appreciate any help.  Not a usual situation that I've come across before. 

For your 2nd Q,

You are correct, either give it to someone who is already in Rapback, owner keeps it, or turn it over to HPD.  No other ways about it.

Worst case scenario, if no family members will Rapback, it's gotta be better to sell it to a good home here on 2A than have it turned into HPD and destroyed.
IMO.

Yeah, I would believe selling would be before turning it in to HPD.  Though just not one discussed yet.  Would have to check with wishes of the original owner. 

If no family member wants the piece, one option is to contact a LGS and have them either sell it for you on consignment or purchase it outright.  I will PM you info on a LGS that in my opinion has had a lot of experience in this matter.

If the gun is not registered, isn't it supposed to turned in as all handguns need to registered and cannot be done retroactively?

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I wonder what would happen if you obtained a current pistol permit then brought the unregistered pistol to HPD. Scary...

If the gun is not registered, isn't it supposed to turned in as all handguns need to registered and cannot be done retroactively?

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Kinda true, all guns are supposed to be registered but its not something the police would spend the time to pursue.  There's a lot of people that do this unintentionally.  Got a gun a long time ago and forgot about it.  Just go in and register it.

There's also the new law that doesn't punish you if you register a gun late.

I wonder what would happen if you obtained a current pistol permit then brought the unregistered pistol to HPD. Scary...

wouldn't it be like someone from the mainland moving to HI?

(a)  Every person arriving in the State who brings or by any other manner causes to be brought into the State a firearm of any description, whether usable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique, shall register the firearm within five days after arrival of the person or of the firearm, whichever arrives later, with the chief of police of the county of the person's place of business. 

     As for Rapback, I've grown to consider the fact that as I already have "registered" firearms, I am already in a data base (against my constitutional rights  )
Still haven't purchased since Rapback though.

Kinda true, all guns are supposed to be registered but its not something the police would spend the time to pursue.  There's a lot of people that do this unintentionally.  Got a gun a long time ago and forgot about it.  Just go in and register it.

There's also the new law that doesn't punish you if you register a gun late.

There's an idea. Have the original family member/owner go in to register it and get it on the books.

I am not a lawyer.

If no family member wants the piece, one option is to contact a LGS and have them either sell it for you on consignment or purchase it outright.  I will PM you info on a LGS that in my opinion has had a lot of experience in this matter.

Thanks for the feedback. 

Yeah, turning it in really isn't a consideration right now.  Never though about consignment, but certainly is an option. 

(a)  Every person arriving in the State who brings or by any other manner causes to be brought into the State a firearm of any description, whether usable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique, shall register the firearm within five days after arrival of the person or of the firearm, whichever arrives later, with the chief of police of the county of the person's place of business. 

     As for Rapback, I've grown to consider the fact that as I already have "registered" firearms, I am already in a data base (against my constitutional rights  )
Still haven't purchased since Rapback though.

yeah, maybe you just brought it in from the mainland.....

Came across unregistered only once previously.  It was through an estate sale that friend bought.  It was actually the seller's relative who has passed a while ago.  Never registered.  Supposedly just needed documentation of person's passing since that served as documentation of ownership of that particular firearm.  I wasn't part of the purchase and I just know that the gun was eventually registered by one of the guys who was in on the estate purchase.  Never quite like this instance. 

Spoke to a friend at HPD and he offered to run the number with a friend (I know him as well) to see if has been registered previously. 

I would think that if the current owner and the receiver went into HPD at the same time and told their story, HPD would be cool especially if the pistol looks like an old service firearm. Like I said, scary...

I saw the gun and it looked liked it was brought back in 1950s, wrapped in oiled paper towel, put in storage and not touched since.  When I was asked to inspect, I checked to see if it was unloaded and everything seemed great! 

I have heard stories of one HPD behind the counter that was penalizing owners for not following the time rules. Considering the circumstances, I'd ask for the supervisor if that happened and see if he would be reasonable. This is definitely an interesting situation but probably one that has happened in the past. Like some have said, HPD tends to interpret the law from time to time so never know for sure.

Kinda true, all guns are supposed to be registered but its not something the police would spend the time to pursue.  There's a lot of people that do this unintentionally.  Got a gun a long time ago and forgot about it.  Just go in and register it.

There's also the new law that doesn't punish you if you register a gun late.

The unregistered firearm will most likely be confiscated.

Could you reference this new law in the HRS please?


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