Wolford v. Lopez

The Supreme Court said Hawaii cannot make it a crime for licensed concealed-carry permit holders to bring handguns onto private property open to the public unless the owner gives express permission. The Court reversed the Ninth Circuit and sent the case back for further proceedings.

Justice Alito wrote the 6–3 opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh; Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, and Barrett concurred; Justices Kagan, Jackson, and Sotomayor dissented.

The Court reversed and remanded in an opinion by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.; no vote split or separate opinions are identified.

Majority

Alito

Roberts

Thomas

Gorsuch

Kavanaugh

Barrett

Dissent

Kagan

Jackson

Sotomayor

Licensed permit holders may carry handguns into places such as stores and restaurants that are open to the public without first getting express authorization. Private owners may still decide whether to allow firearms on their property.

The Ninth Circuit will take further action consistent with the Supreme Court's decision. Hawaii officials and affected businesses must account for the decision when applying the challenged carry restriction.

The Court ruled that Hawaii's express-authorization rule for licensed concealed carry on private property open to the public violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.

Licensed concealed-carry permit holders, store and restaurant owners, and Hawaii law-enforcement officials are directly affected. Businesses can still decide whether firearms are allowed on their property.

The case returns to the Ninth Circuit for further proceedings. Hawaii officials must apply the Court's decision to the challenged restriction.