The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a Hawaii law that required concealed-carry permit holders to obtain a property owner's express permission before bringing a handgun onto private property open to the public, ruling that the restriction violated the Second Amendment.
In a 6-3 decision, the court's conservative majority overturned a lower court ruling that had largely upheld the measure, concluding that the law placed unconstitutional limits on the right to carry firearms for self-defense.
The case was backed by President Donald Trump's administration and is expected to have implications for similar laws in several other states.
Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito said the Hawaii measure imposed significant restrictions on lawful gun owners carrying firearms during everyday activities.
He wrote that "this regime hobbles what the Second Amendment protects: the right of Americans to carry arms for self-defense as they go about their daily lives."
The ruling stemmed from a challenge brought in 2023 by three Hawaii residents with concealed-carry permits and a Honolulu-based gun-rights organization after Democratic Governor Josh Green signed the law.
The Supreme Court found that the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had erred in allowing the restrictions to remain in effect.
The justices did not address separate provisions of Hawaii's law restricting firearms in locations such as beaches, bars and other designated sensitive places.
The decision could place comparable laws in states including California, New York, New Jersey and Maryland under increased legal scrutiny.
The court's three liberal justices dissented, arguing the majority had expanded Second Amendment protections beyond established legal principles.
Hawaii officials said they were disappointed by the ruling but would respect the court's decision while continuing to pursue firearm regulations consistent with the Constitution.
Attorneys representing the challengers welcomed the outcome, describing the invalidated requirement as a barrier to lawful public carry.
The decision marks the second significant gun-rights ruling issued by the Supreme Court during its current term, reinforcing the court's recent approach to interpreting Second Amendment protections.