What the Supreme Court’s New Firearms Ruling Means for Your Hawaii Business
Understanding Wolford v. Lopez and the steps you need to take now
On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that changes the rules for firearms in public-facing businesses in Hawaii.
The case is called Wolford v. Lopez. Here's what happened, what it means for you, and what to do about it.
Background:
On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a case called Wolford v. Lopez, striking down Hawaii's law requiring gun owners, with a concealed carry permit, to request and receive permission before entering a public-facing business.Â
Before this ruling, the longstanding rule in most of the country was: if a business was open to the public, anyone with a valid carry permit could walk in, unless the owner posted a sign or otherwise said they weren't welcome. The law in Hawaii flipped that rule.
The Supreme Court decided that Hawaii's law (and other states with similar laws) placed too much burden on people who had already gone through the process of getting a carry permit, and ruled that this violated the constitutional right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment.
In plain terms: the responsibility has shifted from the gun owner to you, the business owner. If you want a firearms-free space, you now have to say so, clearly with posted signage.
Before and After, Side by Side
| Before the ruling | After the ruling (in effect now) |
|---|---|
| Concealed-carry permit holders needed the owner's OK before entering with a firearm. | Permit holders can enter with a firearm unless the owner posts a “no firearms” sign. |
| Burden was on the gun owner to ask. | Burden is on the business owner to prohibit firearms through clear signage or posted policy. |
| Skipping this step could mean up to a year in jail for the gun owner. | There's no penalty by default. Businesses are assumed to allow carry unless they say otherwise. |
What This Means For Hawaii Employers
If you don't take any action, employees and members of the public with valid concealed-carry permits may now legally carry firearms on your property. If you would like your workplace to be firearms-free, you need to take 2 clear steps.
Members of the Public: You must post visible signage prohibiting firearms and weapons. Customers, vendors, contractors, and other visitors with valid concealed-carry permits may now enter your business armed by default, unless you post visible signage prohibiting it.
Employees: You need an employee handbook that prohibits weapons in the workplace. If you already have a handbook with clear language on firearms and weapons, you likely don't need to rewrite it because of this decision. If your handbook doesn’t cover firearms and weapons, and you do not want firearms on site, update it to keep your workplace firearms-free.*
* If you are a ProService client (absent an addendum otherwise) your employee handbook prohibits firearms and weapons in the workplace. You don't need to update your handbook because of this ruling.
Some Places Are Still Off-Limits
Separate Hawaii laws still keep firearms out of certain “sensitive” locations, and this ruling doesn't change those. Firearms remain prohibited, even for permit holders, in:
- Schools and childcare facilities
- Government buildings
- Healthcare facilities and hospitals
- Places of worship
- Public transportation
- Stadiums and arenas
- Parks and beaches
- Restaurants, bars, and other places serving alcohol for on-site drinking
If your business falls into one of these categories, you may already be covered by law. Signage is still a best practice to put employees, customers, and visitors on clear notice.
What Should Hawaii Businesses Do Next?
- Well-built handbook? You're likely set. No changes needed if your weapons policy already covers the workplace.
- Post signage now. Clear “No Firearms” signs at every public entrance close the biggest gap this ruling creates.
- Remind employees. A quick reminder that the workplace policy hasn't changed keeps everyone on the same page.
- Check every location. If you operate more than one site, confirm signage is posted and enforced at each one.
- Talk to your insurance broker. Review your premises liability coverage now that permit holders can carry by default.
- Review your active threat plan. Make sure your team is trained on your workplace violence response plan. If you are working with ProService, we recommend that your employees complete our complimentary workplace violence on demand training.
- When in doubt, ask. Consult employment or business counsel if you're unsure whether your location qualifies as a sensitive place.
Have Employees Outside Hawaii?
This ruling also knocks down similar laws in California, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, which had the same “ask permission first” structure. The other 45 states already work the way Hawaii now does, so nothing changes there. We recommend multi-state employers conduct a nationwide audit of workplace firearms policies and signage to ensure consistent standards across all locations.
We're Here to Help
If you're a ProService client, your HR Business Partner can help you with:
- Drafting or updating your firearms policy and handbook language
- Preparing compliant signage for your locations
- Complimentary on demand videos on ProAcademy
- Workplace Violence
- Wolford v. Lopez Explained
Reach out to your ProService contact to get started.
If you're not yet a ProService client and want support navigating updates like this, we'd love to talk! Reach out to our team.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your business, please consult qualified legal counsel.
