Firearms & Sensitive Places

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Sensitive Places” law, and when does it go into effect?

The “sensitive places” law (Ordinance 23-6) was passed by the Honolulu City Council and signed into law by Mayor Rick Blangiardi on March 31, 2023. It went into effect on May 1, 2023. The state legislature passed a similar law (Act 52) which went into effect on July 1, 2023.

A recent court ruling in Hawaii means that the City cannot enforce some parts of the law, including the “default” rule for private businesses. This ruling is being appealed.

What is a sensitive public place?

Sensitive public places on Oʻahu that do not allow firearms include:

• Businesses that serve alcohol for consumption on premises

• Hospitals and doctor’s offices

• Cannabis dispensaries

• Shelters, including homeless and domestic violence shelters

• Concert venues, theaters, museums, and amusement parks

• City-owned buildings

• State and federally owned buildings

• Schools and childcare facilities

• Public parks, the Honolulu Zoo, and the Waikiki Aquarium

• Public transit

• Polling places

• Within 100 feet of large public gatherings, like protests and marches, that have a government permit

Due to a recent court ruling in Hawai‘i (which is currently being appealed), the City cannot enforce the “sensitive places” law in the following places:

• Public parks and beaches

• Banks and businesses that serve alcohol for consumption on the premises (though those businesses may still prohibit firearms if they wish)

• Parking lots that serve both government buildings and private businesses

I own a business that’s not on the sensitive places list. Do I have to do anything?

You are not required to take any action unless you want to allow firearms on your property. If you wish to allow firearms on your property, you must post a “Guns Allowed” sign, which are available from the City at no charge. If you want to prohibit firearms on your property, you do not need to do anything, but you may post signs that firearms are prohibited if you want to. Again, business owners are not required to take action unless they want to allow firearms.

I would like to post a “Guns Allowed” or “Guns Not Allowed” sign in my business. Where do I get a sign?

Signs that say “Guns Allowed” are available at Honolulu Hale, Kapolei Hale and at eight other Satellite City Hall locations across the island, and you can download a digital version to print yourself by clicking on one of the posters shown above. Business owners who are interested in posting “Guns Not Allowed” signs, which are not required, can click on one of the signs above to download that version and print it at home.

What size does the sign have to be?

For businesses with a physical door through which customers enter, the sign must be 8.5 inches by 11 inches (the size of standard office paper). For businesses that do not have a physical door through which customers enter, the sign must be 18 inches by 24 inches.

f your business is on the list of “sensitive places” (such as movie theaters and doctor’s offices), you do not need to do anything – guns are prohibited

Does it matter where I post a “Guns Allowed” or “Guns Not Allowed” sign in my business?

Yes. According to the law, the sign must be placed not less than 40 inches and not more than 60 inches from the bottom of the premises entrance door.

I own a business that is on the sensitive places list. Am I allowed to have armed security guards on the property?

Yes. The law allows for licensed armed guards and law enforcement to carry firearms in sensitive places.