The State of Hawaii is the only state in the union which maintains an effective ban on acquiring and owning firearms and ammunition by those between the ages of 18 – 20. Under Hawaii law, adults under 21 years old cannot apply for – or be granted – a Permit to Acquire (PTA). As a result, adults under the age of 21 years old are prohibited from purchasing, owning or possessing firearms and ammunition in Hawaii.
Hawaii’s prohibition directly conflicts with this nation’s history and tradition and the very text of the Second Amendment itself. Since Bruen, federal courts have routinely overturned firearms restrictions on adults under 21 years old. Rather than reconsider its ban on adults under the age of 21 owning firearms, Hawaii has broadened its ban to include ammunition.
On November 20, 2024, the Second Amendment Foundation, joined by two individuals and two businesses, filed suit against Hawaii’s Attorney General, Anne E. Lopez. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the challenged statutes violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments and requests preliminary and permanent injunctive relief along with nominal damages.
Case Team: Alan Beck, Kevin O'Grady
Recent Docket Activity
May 21st, 2026
EO: In the parties' 94 Joint Status Report, the parties "request that the Court vacate the July 20, 2026 trial date and all current trial-related deadlines, beginning with the final pretrial statements due on June 1, 2026." Accordingly, the Court VACATES the trial date and all trial-related deadlines.
May 18th, 2026
ADVISORY ENTRY-Submission of Proposed Orders - Please be advised that Document 92 MOTION to Continue Hearing on Counter-Motions for Summary Judgment [ECF Nos. 65 & 71], requires the judge's signature. If the filing party has not already done so, please email the document in Microsoft Word format to the applicable chambers' email address. See Section 10.4- Emailing of Proposed Orders and Stipulations to Chambers, of the CM/ECF Procedures Guide for additional instructions and a list of judge's email addresses.
May 18th, 2026
EO: The Court GRANTS Defendant's unopposed 92 Motion to Continue Hearing on Counter-Motions for Summary Judgment as follows: Hearing on Plaintiffs' 65 First Motion for Summary Judgment and Defendant's 71 Counter Motion for Summary Judgment CONTINUED from 6/5/2026 to 7/31/2026 at 9:00 AM in Aha Kanawai before JUDGE JILL A. OTAKE. The Court DIRECTS the parties to file a joint status report by 5/21/2026 about whether they anticipate needing a non-jury trial in this matter in light of the Counter-Motions for Summary Judgment.
May 15th, 2026
MOTION to Continue Hearing on Counter-Motions for Summary Judgment [ECF Nos. 65 & 71 ] Thomas J. Hughes appearing for Defendant Anne E. Lopez
April 8th, 2026
STIPULATION To Extend The Non-Dispositive Motions Deadlines - Signed by MAGISTRATE JUDGE WES REBER PORTER on 4/8/2026.
