I was told by  a friend who has been a firearms enthusiast for a very long time that prior to '96, long gun registration was not a requirement and that he still has many long guns in his collection that have not been registered because they were purchased before the enactment of Hawaii law requiring a permit and registration of all firearms, long and short alike.  Does anybody recall what the law was way back when (I think the law changed in '96?) and when that law changed? Also, before the change, could any adult walk into a store and buy a long gun or handgun without a permit or whether a permit was always required?

The law took effect in 94.  Prior to that, no registration was required for riffles or shotguns.

I wonder what happened.  Probably the awb of 94

So if a rifle/shotgun were brought in prior to 94 and did not need to be registered, was it asked that you take your unregistered gun in even though it was brought in prior?

i dont think so.  im sure hpd knows there are legal firearms floating around though.

Also, im sure everyone was worried about being on a "list" back in 94 as well, with the AWB passing and all that.  I wouldnt freely register my firearm if not required.

So if someone was to have an unregistered long gun and was caught how/could you prove it was brought it prior to 94 or are you out of luck?

I see I always start my sentences the same when I have a question..

Manufacturing number maybe?  You would have to be an old fart, or around there to it to be buying guns back then.  Maybe some of the other guys know the answer

And if you ever sell it the new owner would have to register it.  Or if you wanted to inherit your pops old guns you would have to register it.

What about long gun permits? Was a pre-94 purchaser required to hold at least a permit of any sort (i.e., long gun or handgun) to purchase a long gun?

Hypothetical....Lets just say I bought an uzi semi auto in 1982 on Oahu while I was in the Navy.  Even though I still own it and took it to Arizona; if I bring it back is it qualified or need to be registered?.  I still have the bill of sale from a gun shop in Waipahu.

Hypothetical....Lets just say I bought an uzi semi auto in 1982 on Oahu while I was in the Navy.  Even though I still own it and took it to Arizona; if I bring it back is it qualified or need to be registered?.  I still have the bill of sale from a gun shop in Waipahu.

Just curious, there was a gun shop in Waipahu back then? 

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I'm guessing they copied the 10 rd idea from some other idiot place

Just curious, there was a gun shop in Waipahu back then? 

Waipahu Bicycle Shop was a place that sold firearms on Waipahu Depot Street . It was across from Arakawa's.

What about long gun permits? Was a pre-94 purchaser required to hold at least a permit of any sort (i.e., long gun or handgun) to purchase a long gun?

I bought my first rifle in 1994, I think, and got a permit and registration. Don't know when a permit to acquire fore long guns became law. The handgun training came at the same time. I took a class and got my Dad's handguns at the same time. That was the year that the Legislature wanted to dissallow (outlaw) any handgun transfers even by inheritance.
A lot of the old timers registered their rifles in the absence of a requirement because it was the "right thing to do in case it ever got stolen"

Aloha
Gordy