Hawaii’s Handgun Regulations Scrutinized by En Banc 9th Circuit

Eleven judges with the Ninth Circuit on Tuesday pressed both Hawaii and two firearm owners challenging the state’s handgun regulatory regime, debating whether the restrictions pass constitutional muster.

Judge Ryan D. Nelson expressed doubts that Hawaii’s requirement that a person purchase a handgun within 30 days of obtaining a permit squares with the Second Amendment. The state’s legislature extended the law’s time frame from 10 days to 30 after the lawsuit was filed.

Jo-Ann Sagar, a partner with Hogan Lovells US LLP representing the state, said that the 30-day window doesn’t amount to a meaningful constraint on obtaining a gun ...