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Hawaii criminalizes the manufacture, possession, sale or other transfer, barter, trade, gift or acquisition of an assault pistol.1 Under state law, “assault pistol” is defined as a semiautomatic handgun which accepts a detachable magazine and which has two or more of the following characteristics:

(1) An ammunition magazine which attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;

(2) A threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward hand grip, or silencer;

(3) A shroud which is attached to or partially or completely encircles the barrel and which permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the second hand without being burned;

(4) A manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded;

(5) A centerfire pistol with an overall length of 12 inches or more; or

(6) A semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm.2

An assault pistol does not include a firearm with a barrel 16 or more inches in length, or an antique, curio or relic.3

As of July 1, 1992, no person shall bring or cause to be brought into Hawaii an assault pistol.4 Furthermore, as of July 1, 1992, no previously-owned assault pistol may be sold or transferred to anyone within Hawaii other than a state-licensed dealer or the chief of police of any county.5 A person that inherits an assault pistol registered within the state on or after July 1, 1992, has 90 days to render the weapon permanently inoperable, transfer the weapon to a licensed dealer or chief of police of any county, or remove the weapon from the state.6

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  1. Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-8(a).[]
  2. Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-1.[]
  3. Id.[]
  4. Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-4(e).[]
  5. Id.[]
  6. Id.[]