Lawsuits

Young Vs Hawaii

This lawsuit is a challenge to Hawaii’s licensing scheme for carrying firearms outside of the home. We have an entire page of information on the lawsuit available here: https://hifico.org/young-v-hawaii/
STATUS: OPEN. Awaiting review by the Supre Court.

Yukutake Vs Connors

The lawsuit alleges that Hawaii’s requirement to transport a firearm to a police station for registration and Honolulu police department policies for the acquisition and registration of firearms is burdensome and unconstitutional.

The city has settled the lawsuit allowing for late opening on Wednesdays and emailing permits.
A Judge ruled that Hawaii’s requirement to bring a firearm to the police station and register in person is unconstitutional.
STATUS: OPEN. This is on appeal at the 9th circuit. In-person registration and show and tell for the firearm are suspended pending this appeal.

Roberts Vs Connors

The lawsuit alleges that Hawaii’s ban on Tasers and Stun guns is unconstitutional
After 4 years of fighting on January 1st, 2022 Tasers and Stun guns are now legal in the state of Hawaii. STATUS: Stayed pending Young Vs Hawaii. The case is currently under review by the 9th circuit.

Abbott Vs Connors

The lawsuit alleges that Hawaii’s ban on Handgun magazines with a capacity greater than ten rounds in unconstitutional. HRS 134-8(c) bans the possession of any handgun magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds. The plaintiffs in the case have all stated that if it were not for Hawaii’s ban, they would seek to and would own magazines with a larger capacity. Currently, if they were to be found in possession of and using said magazines, they would be charged with a Class C felony.
STATUS: Stayed pending Duncan v. Becerra at the 9th circuit

Roberts Vs Ballard

This Lawsuit challenged Hawaii’s ban on legal permanent residents from applying for a permit to carry. STATUS: WON This lawsuit was settled with HPD/Honolulu and lawful permanent residents can now apply to carry

HIFICO Vs FBI

While attempting to understand how the state of Hawaii was using Rapback HIFICO was forced to file a lawsuit against the FBI to get them to release information under FOIA.

While attempting to understand how the state of Hawaii was using Rapback HIFICO was forced to file a lawsuit against the FBI to get them to release information under FOIA.
STATUS: WON. The data requested was provided by the FBI.

Teter v. Connors

This is a challenge to Hawaii’s ban on butterfly knives supported by Hawaii Firearms Coalition.

From AmmoLand.com
“Knives are arms protected by the Second Amendment,” a complaint filed Wednesday in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii contends. The case is Andrew Teter and James Grell, Plaintiffs, v. Clare E. Connors, in her  Official Capacity as the Attorney General of the State of Hawaii, and Al  Cummings, in his Official Capacity as the  State Sheriff Division Administrator, Defendants. The complaint challenges the State of Hawaii’s ban on butterfly knives (or balisongs), knives “having a blade encased in a split handle that manually unfolds with hand or wrist action with the assistance of inertia, gravity or both.”
STATUS: Stayed pending Young Vs Hawaii.

Nickel Vs Connors

Mr. Nickel was born in America Samoa, and this makes him a U.S. National of the United States of America. Hawaii state law currently says that to purchase or own a firearm in the state, you must be a citizen. Mr. Nickel reached out to HIFICO who helped him work with our attorneys who swiftly vindicated his rights.
STATUS: WON

Choda v. Hawaii County

Attorneys Alan Beck and Kevin O’Grady filed a lawsuit in the Hawaii Federal District Court on Behalf of Lance Choda. This lawsuit seeks to stop the Hawaii Police department from illegally seizing his firearms and denying him the right to bear arms. Choda had been arrested and charged with a non-violent crime that did not prohibit him, but the police department attempted to revoke his right to bear arms anyway.
STATUS: WON

ROA VS CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU

Attorneys Alan Beck and Kevin O’Grady filed a lawsuit in the Hawaii Federal District Court on Behalf of This lawsuit against HPD and the C&C of Honolulu was from Two Hawaii residents that were wrongly denied their right to bear arms by HPD policy. Both men had non-criminal convictions in the state for disorderly conduct. HPD incorrectly determined these charges to be crimes of violence and, as such, denied the plaintiffs permits to acquire firearms and took control of the plaintiff’s currently owned firearms.
STATUS: WON