California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The brief supports Hawai’i’s authority, and that of other states, to implement firearm background check and permitting requirements aimed at reducing gun violence.
The legal action is part of the case Yukutake v. Lopez, which is under review by the Ninth Circuit’s en banc panel. A previous divided panel found two provisions of Hawai’i’s firearm permitting scheme unconstitutional: a 30-day time limit on purchase permits and an inspection requirement for certain new firearms. The coalition is urging the full court to reverse that decision.
“No one should be made to live in fear: States have both the responsibility and the authority to protect their communities from the threat of gun violence,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Commonsense gun restrictions help stop dangerous weapons from reaching the hands of those who shouldn’t possess them, while upholding law-abiding gun owners’ Second Amendment rights. We will continue to stand up for States’ legal authority to enact laws to maintain public safety, including constitutional gun regulations that respond to local needs and concerns.”
The challenged provisions include Hawai’i’s 30-day limit on handgun purchase permit validity and a limited inspection requirement for certain firearms. According to the brief, these measures allow Hawai’i to verify serial numbers on firearms imported from out-of-state or sold by unlicensed individuals, as well as unserialized “ghost guns.” This process helps ensure only responsible individuals are allowed to buy or possess firearms within state borders.
The attorneys general argue that states have a primary role in protecting public health and safety, including efforts to reduce gun violence. They contend that reasonable regulations like those in Hawai’i do not infringe upon Second Amendment rights but instead promote responsible firearm ownership tailored to local needs.
Further, they state that Hawai’i’s licensing regime aligns with constitutional standards established under recent Supreme Court precedent. The expiration of 30-day permits does not prevent qualified buyers from reapplying but ensures background checks remain current.
Attorney General Bonta was joined in filing the brief by his counterparts from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
A copy of the amicus brief is available online.
