Attorney General Anne Lopez praised the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the state’s firearms laws. These laws restrict public carrying of firearms without a license. The unanimous decision, led by Justice Todd Eddins in the State v. Wilson case, confirmed that states can mandate licensing for public firearm carrying.
The court clarified that the defendant, who didn’t seek a license, couldn’t argue the law’s application procedures were unconstitutional. It also dismissed the notion that the Hawaiʻi Constitution prevents the state from implementing gun-safety legislation.
The court stated that the Hawaiʻi Constitution doesn’t grant a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. It explained that the Constitution’s language, considering Hawaiʻi’s history of firearms laws, doesn’t support an individual’s right to carry weapons in public.
Lopez called the decision a significant one that supports the legality of key gun-safety laws. She emphasized the role of licensing and registration in tackling gun violence. She also commended Justice Eddins’ opinion for the court, highlighting the role of state courts in the federal system.