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Network for Public Health Law
Mitigating the Incidence and Severity of Injuries and Other Harms

Young v. Hawai’i

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Overview

Young v. Hawai’i (U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, March 24, 2021): In a 7-4 ruling, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Hawai’i’s limits on openly carrying firearms in public, rejecting a challenge from resident George Young, who had sued over the state’s prohibition of carrying a handgun outside the home. Hawai’i’s law requires residents seeking to openly carry firearms to demonstrate “the urgency or need” to do so, be of good moral character, and be “engaged in the protection of life and property.” Upon filing applications, Young failed to demonstrate a specific “urgency or need” to open carry beyond a general desire to engage in self-defense. After his applications were denied, Young claimed the law violated the 2nd Amendment. The 9th Circuit disagreed. The 2nd Amendment does not guarantee a right to openly carry firearms in public. Read the full decision here.

View all cases in the Judicial Trends in Public Health – May 14, 2021.

View all cases under “Mitigating The Incidence & Severity of Injuries & Other Harms.”