Buying a gun online in Hawaii and hunting rifles for Hawaii game
Short answer: You can buy a rifle online for Hawaii, but it must go to a licensed dealer first. Hawaii adds its own steps: a permit to acquire with a 14-day waiting period, and registration with the police after you get the gun. Hunting rifles used without dogs on game mammals must have at least 1,200 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
How buying a gun online works
An online order is not a home delivery. A licensed dealer completes the sale face to face. Federal rules shape each step:
- Dealer transfer. Under 27 CFR 478.96, a dealer may sell a rifle or shotgun to a person from another state only if the buyer appears in person at the dealer's premises, and the sale must follow the laws of both states. In practice, the online seller ships the gun to a licensed dealer, and you pick it up there.
- Form 4473 and NICS. Under 27 CFR 478.102, the dealer must contact NICS (the federal background check) before the transfer is completed, and the buyer fills out Form 4473.
- Federal age limits. Under 27 CFR 478.99(b)(1), a dealer may not sell any firearm or ammunition to someone under 18. For handguns and handgun ammunition, the limit is under 21 (so 21 to buy a handgun from a dealer). Rifles and shotguns: 18 at the federal level. Hawaii sets its own age rule for purchase and registration (see below).
| Step | Who does it | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pick a rifle and pay | You | Online order |
| Receive the gun | Licensed dealer | 27 CFR 478.96 |
| Form 4473 and NICS check | You and the dealer | 27 CFR 478.102 |
| Age check | Dealer | 27 CFR 478.99 |
Hawaii rules for Honolulu
These points come from the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) firearms page. Other counties run their own offices. Check current rules with the state attorney general, your county police department or your dealer.
| Rule | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Permit to acquire | You must apply in person at the HPD Firearms Unit. Forms can be filled out online first. |
| Waiting period | "There is a 14 day waiting period on all permits." |
| Permit window | After the waiting period, the permit is valid for 26 calendar days. Pickup dates are the 14th through the 40th day. |
| Age | HPD says you must be 21 or older to purchase a firearm and 21 or older to register one. |
| Training | Rifle or shotgun permit: an original Hunters Education card. Handgun permit: an original Handgun Safety Training Course Affidavit. |
| Registration | All acquired firearms must be registered with HPD. Out-of-state arrivals: within five days of the firearm's arrival in Honolulu, in person, with the firearm unloaded in a case for physical inspection. HPD says online registration is not available for this service. |
Because the permit comes first, plan on weeks, not days, between choosing a rifle and taking it home.
Hunting basics in Hawaii
The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) runs hunting. From its game mammal page:
- License. You must carry a valid Hawaii hunting license while hunting. A $10 wildlife conservation stamp is also required. Resident license: $10. Non-resident: $95.
- Hunter education. All applicants must show proof of a recognized hunter education course. People born before January 1, 1972 who held a Hawaii license before July 1, 1990 are exempt.
- Game mammals. DOFAW lists these (the list is not exhaustive): Feral pig, mouflon sheep, feral sheep, mouflon-feral hybrid sheep, axis deer, black-tail deer and feral goat.
Choosing a hunting rifle
DOFAW lists these legal weapons for game mammals:
| Method | Legal rifle or firearm |
|---|---|
| Without dogs | Rifle with muzzle energy of 1,200 foot-pounds or more; shotgun with 00 or larger buckshot; muzzleloader 0.45 caliber or larger |
| With dogs | Rifle using at least a .22 magnum load or any centerfire cartridge; shotgun with slugs or 00 or larger buckshot; muzzleloader 0.45 caliber or larger |
So choose a cartridge that makes 1,200 foot-pounds at the muzzle; check the ammunition maker's published figure. Rules for individual hunts and areas can differ, so read the island exhibit for your unit on the DLNR hunting page before you buy ammunition.
FAQ
Can I have a rifle shipped to my house in Hawaii?
No. A dealer must hand the rifle to you in person, with a NICS check and Form 4473 (27 CFR 478.96 and 478.102). HPD also requires a permit to acquire first.
How long does the Hawaii permit take?
HPD states a 14-day waiting period on all permits. Pickup dates are the 14th through the 40th day.
Do I need hunter education to hunt?
DOFAW says applicants must show proof of a recognized hunter education course. There is a narrow exemption for people born before January 1, 1972 who held a Hawaii hunting license issued before July 1, 1990. DOFAW still recommends the course.
Official links
- Honolulu Police Department, Firearms
- DLNR Game Mammal Hunting
- DLNR Hunting regulations and seasons
- Hawaii hunting license
- 27 CFR Part 478 (eCFR)
Laws change. Check with the Hawaii Attorney General, your county police department and your dealer before you buy.
General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.
