Attorney General Raúl Labrador of Idaho, alongside Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, has filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court. The brief urges the court to strike down Hawaii's restrictions on public firearm carry, arguing they violate constitutional rights. This legal action is part of the case Wolford v. Lopez and seeks to overturn a previous ruling by the Ninth Circuit that upheld Hawaii's law.
Hawaii enacted Act 52 in 2023 following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. This law imposes significant restrictions on carrying firearms in most public areas and private properties without explicit consent from property owners. Labrador contends that this contradicts both the Second Amendment and prior Supreme Court guidance.
"The right to bear arms belongs to the people—not because government permits it, but because government is bound to protect it," stated Labrador. He emphasized that Hawaii's approach could set a precedent for other states to limit gun rights.
Knudsen echoed these sentiments, highlighting concerns about potential erosion of Second Amendment rights due to judicial decisions like that of the Ninth Circuit. "Bruen guarantees that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right," he said.
The coalition's brief argues that Hawaii’s law conflicts with historical practices regarding public firearm carriage, suggesting that such restrictions lack a basis in tradition as required by Bruen. The coalition warns against legislative measures that could undermine constitutional protections through regulation.
This initiative has garnered support from 25 other attorneys general across various states, indicating widespread concern over what they perceive as an infringement on citizens' rights.
The full list of supporting attorneys general includes Steve Marshall (Alabama), Treg Taylor (Alaska), Tim Griffin (Arkansas), James Uthmeier (Florida), Christopher Carr (Georgia), Theodore Rokita (Indiana), Brenna Bird (Iowa), Kris Kobach (Kansas), Russell Coleman (Kentucky), Liz Murrill (Louisiana), Lynn Finch (Mississippi), Andrew Bailey (Missouri), Michael Hilgers (Nebraska), John Formella (New Hampshire), Drew Wrigley (North Dakota), Dave Yost (Ohio), Gentner Drummond (Oklahoma), Alan Wilson (South Carolina), Marty Jackley (South Dakota), Ken Paxton (Texas), Derek Brown (Utah), John McCuskey (West Virginia), Bridget Hill (Wyoming). Additionally, Warren Peterson and Steven Montenegro from Arizona have expressed their support.