Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii’s ‘vampire rule’ for gun owners

The Supreme Court struck down a Hawaii gun restriction that limits when people can carry firearms on certain private properties, known as the “vampire rule.”

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a Hawaii gun restriction that limits when people can carry firearms on certain private properties open to the public, saying it infringes on the right to bear arms.

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On a 6-3 vote, the court invalidated the measure that requires people with concealed carry permits to seek permission from a property owner before entering. It has been dubbed the "vampire rule" because, as in the classic novel "Dracula" and related tales, vampires can only enter someone's home if they are invited in.

The court, often supportive of gun rights, concluded that the provision violates the Constitution's Second Amendment. The court’s conservatives were in the majority, while the three liberals dissented.