Federal Court upholds Hawaii’s age-based firearms acquisition law

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – On Friday, a federal judge has upheld Hawaii’s law banning those under 21 from buying a gun.

The Hawaii’s Department of the Office of the Attorney General said the opposition comes after a national pro-gun group led a lawsuit against the state claiming Hawaii’s age-restriction violates the Second Amendment.

In a statement from Hawaii’s Attorney General’s office, U.S. District Judge Jill Otake said the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate that they could succeed on their constitutional challenge and failed to show that ending the law would benefit public interests.

Deputy Solicitors General Ewan Rayner and Thomas Hughes represented the state in the case, officials said.

“Hawaii’s gun laws protect public safety and save lives,” said Rayner. “Today’s decision confirms that the state’s age limit on acquiring a firearm, which has been in effect for over 30 years, is consistent with a long history of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of our youths.”

Officials say both the state and federal government can impose age restrictions for the purchase or possession of a gun, and many have been set at 21-years-old.

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