Federal Judge Upholds Hawaii's 21-Year-Old Gun Purchase Ban

U.S. District Judge Jill Otake, appointed by Donald Trump, affirmed Hawaii's rule that only individuals 21 or older may receive a gun permit, dismissing a lawsuit that claimed the restriction violated the Second Amendment. The suit was filed by Honolulu resident Juda Roache, who is under 21, along with two licensed dealers barred from selling to him or accepting a gifted firearm. Otake cited founding-era common law that allowed societies to limit non-essential goods, including pistols, for those under 21, referencing an 1822 South Carolina case and an 1875 Indiana statute.

She also pointed out that contemporary states continue to prohibit 18-year-olds from purchasing alcohol and tobacco, indicating no constitutional shift. While the ruling upheld the age limit, it left open whether 18- to 20-year-olds are part of the Second Amendment's protected class. The judgment joins a national split, with some circuits striking similar bans and others upholding them. Officials for Hawaii’s attorney general and the plaintiff did not respond to comment requests.