Supreme Court Leaves Hawaii Gun Regulations Intact

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal challenging the Hawaii Supreme Court's decision to allow prosecution for carrying a handgun without a license, leaving in place the state's stringent gun regulations. The case arose after Christopher Wilson was arrested in 2017 for carrying an unlicensed pistol while trespassing. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch expressed concerns over Hawaii's interpretation of the Second Amendment but agreed that the case was not ripe for Supreme Court review due to its procedural posture. The Hawaii Supreme Court had criticized the Supreme Court's Second Amendment rulings, stating that the 'spirit of Aloha' does not align with a federally-mandated right to carry firearms publicly. Despite declining the case, the justices suggested they might consider similar issues in future cases that properly challenge gun licensing schemes. This decision reflects ongoing tensions between state regulations and federal interpretations of gun rights.