The US Supreme Court has struck down Hawaii's rule requiring permission to carry guns into private businesses open to the public. The ruling expands Second Amendment protections while leaving owners free to ban firearms with clear signs.

The Supreme Court has struck down a Hawaiʻi law requiring people to get permission to carry guns into places such as stores and hotels.

The Supreme Court has struck down a Hawaii law requiring people to get permission to carry guns into places such as stores and hotels.

WASHINGTON - The US Supreme Court has struck down a rule Hawaii that barred gun owners from carrying handguns on publicly accessible private property. In a 6-3 decision on Thursday, the court sided with gun owners who argued the restriction on where they can carry firearms violates the Second Amendment - the constitutional right to bear arms. The justices found that a federal appeal courts erred in affirming the state can prohibit those with concealed-carry permits from having handguns in places like restaurants and malls unless given permission by the property owner. The ruling impacts a handful of US states, as law in most of the country allows those with a permit to carry a firearm on private property. States like California, New York, New Jersey and Maryland have similar laws to Hawaii's, which was dubbed a "vampire rule" as it required people with guns to get permission to enter an establishment. Carrying a gun without consent has until now been a misdemeanor in Hawaii, punishable by up to one year in prison.…