Hawaii Firearm Permits Reach Record High in 2010

By Wendy Osher

Firearm permits in Hawaii reached a record high in 2010 with 12,801 permit applications processed across the state.  That’s a 1.5% increase from the previous record high of 12,606 applications processed in 2009.

The annual report filed by the Department of the Attorney General notes that of the applications processed in 2010, more than 95% were approved; 3.6% were approved, but voided after the applicants failed to return for their permits withing a specified time frame; and 1% were rejected due to disqualifying factors.

The 12,214 permits issued statewide in 2010 are part of a total of 31,390 firearms registered in the state, marking a 6.8% decrease from the record high tally of 33,678 firearms registered in 2009.

Click to view in greater detail. Graphic courtesy Hawaii Attorney General's Office.

Based on its population size, Maui County processed 27% more applications and rejected 236% more applications than expected, according to the report.

Firearm registration activity increased dramatically over the course of the 11 years for which the data has been compiled and reported. The Attorney General’s office notes that from 2000 through 2010, the number of permit applications processed annually increased by 97.3%, the number of firearms registered surged 130.5%, and the number of firearms imported rose 110.5%.

It is a felony in the State of Hawaii to provide falsified information on firearm permit applications.

*** Supporting information courtesy Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.