California Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | Yes* | Yes* |
Registration of Firearms | Yes** | Yes** |
Permit to possess registered "Assault Weapons" | No | No |
Licensing of Owner | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | Yes |
*As of January 1, 2015, a firearms safety certificate is generally required to purchase or acquire a firearm. A currently valid handgun safety certificate may still be used to purchase or acquire a handgun until it expires. ** Department of Justice record purchases from dealers (all purchases). Residents moving into California have 60 days to register their firearms. *** On June 29, 2017 a federal district court blocked enforcement of California's new ban on possession of magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds. The ban was set to go into effect on July 1, but implementation is now delayed while the court's injunction is in effect. More information is available here: https://www.nraila.org/articles/20170630/california-court-block-s-enforcement-of-recently-enacted-magazine-ban The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | No Law |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | No Provisions |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Partial Ban |
Right To Carry Laws | Rights Restricted-Very Limited Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | None |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | No Provisions |
California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/index.php |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Antiques and Replicas
Antique firearm means any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or centerfire ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition system or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before 1898) and also any firearm manufactured in or before 1898 using fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the U.S. and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade. |
"Assault Weapons", .50 Caliber BMG Rifles and Magazines
It is unlawful to offer for manufacture, sale, give or lend any “assault weapon” or .50 caliber BMG rifle. It is unlawful to possess an “assault weapon” or a .50 caliber BMG rifle unless it is properly registered with the state. MORE |
Carrying and Transportation in Vehicles
It is unlawful to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or handgun in any public place or on any public street in an incorporated area or an area where firing a firearm is prohibited. Furthermore the open carry of any handgun, loaded or unloaded in an incorporated area has now been banned. MORE |
Machine Guns and Other Firearms
A machine gun is defined as any firearm, which shoots, or is designed to shoot, automatically, more than one shot, without manual reloading, by single function of the trigger. The term also includes any conversion part, frame or receiver of a machine gun, or any firearm deemed as such by the federal government. Upon a showing of good cause, a permit for possession and/or transportation may be issued by the Department of Justice. It has been reported that the Department of Justice refuses to grant such permits. MORE |
Miscellaneous Provisions
No license or permit shall be required to possess keep, or carry a handgun openly or concealed in one’s home or place of business. The state legislature also has expressed its intention to occupy the whole field of the sales and licensing of firearms, thus precluding cities and other localities from enacting firearms laws in those categories. MORE |
Purchase
All firearms sales, transfers, including private transactions and sales at gun shows, must go through a California licensed firearms dealer. MORE |
Possession
It is unlawful for anyone convicted of a felony, or who is a drug addict, present or former mental patient, ever committed for mental observation, or acquitted by reason of insanity to own or possess any firearm. People with certain misdemeanor convictions involving force or violence may not possess or own any firearm within 10 years of the conviction. A person who has been adjudged a ward of the juvenile court for certain offenses may not own or possess any firearm until age 30. A minor may not possess a handgun except with written permission or under the supervision of a parent or guardian. MORE |
Preemption
All manner of regulations pertaining to firearm registration or licensing is reserved to the state legislature. MORE |
Range Protection
Shooting ranges are generally protected against civil or criminal prosecution in matters alleging noise if the range is operating in compliance with all ordinances in effect at the time the range was constructed. MORE |
SOURCE: Cal. Penal Code §16000 et. seq. |
Thursday, March 6, 2003
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