The modern reference for California firearms law.
Every statute tracked, every change documented, every source cited.
A complete walkthrough of the California handgun purchase process, from obtaining a Firearm Safety Certificate to completing the Dealer Record of Sale and passing the safe handling demonstration at pickup. Covers the handgun roster, 10-day waiting period, and one-in-30-day purchase restriction.
A guide to legally purchasing a rifle or shotgun in California. Covers the Firearm Safety Certificate requirement (expanded to all firearms in 2015), the DROS process, the 10-day waiting period, and the one-in-30-day restriction that now applies to semiautomatic centerfire rifles under SB 61.
Proposition 63 (2016) and subsequent legislation created a comprehensive ammunition purchase framework in California. All ammunition sales must go through licensed vendors with a point-of-sale background check. This guide covers the standard $1 check, the $19 full eligibility check, eligible vs. ineligible results, and the vendor licensing requirement.
California has multiple overlapping storage requirements. Penal Code Section 25100 establishes criminal storage liability when a minor or prohibited person gains access. Penal Code Section 25135 requires residential storage in a locked container or with a locking device when the owner is not in possession. This guide covers both statutes and the safe harbor provisions.
California requires that firearms be transported unloaded and in a locked container. Ammunition must be kept separate. The trunk of a vehicle qualifies as a locked container. This guide covers the rules for handguns, long guns, and the federal FOPA protections for interstate travel.
California law prohibits semiautomatic centerfire rifles with detachable magazines and any "evil feature." This guide provides a detailed comparison of the two legal pathways: the featureless build (removing prohibited features while keeping a detachable magazine) and the fixed magazine build (keeping features but permanently affixing the magazine). Covers specific parts, pros and cons, and legal considerations.
Federal court permanently enjoined California's AB 2571, which banned firearm marketing to minors. California conceded the law is unconstitutional under the First Amendment and was ordered to pay $1.4M in attorney fees.
AB 1127 bans the sale of semiautomatic pistols with cruciform trigger bars (targeting Glock-pattern pistols) beginning July 1, 2026. Existing owners may keep their pistols. The NRA has filed a lawsuit (Jaymes v. Bonta) challenging the ban.
Assembly Bill 383, now Chapter 362 of the Statutes of 2025, strengthens enforcement of California's existing prohibition on minors possessing firearms by extending firearm relinquishment procedures to juveniles adjudicated as wards, granting search warrant authority for non-compliance, and imposing infraction penalties for failure to file relinquishment forms.
Assembly Bill 584, now Chapter 40 of the Statutes of 2025, establishes new requirements for secure facilities at firearms dealerships and manufacturing operations in California.
Assembly Bill 1344, now Chapter 573 of the Statutes of 2025, authorizes a pilot program in four specific counties — Alameda, El Dorado, Santa Clara, and Ventura — allowing district attorneys to petition for Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) using the existing GVRO framework.
Assembly Bill 1589 would add a narrow exception to California's silencer ban, allowing Level I reserve peace officers to possess silencers while on duty when authorized by their employing agency. The bill does not legalize civilian silencer ownership.
Assembly Bill 1615 would amend California's Unsafe Handgun Act requirements. The bill passed the Public Safety Committee unanimously (9-0) with a consent calendar recommendation and has been re-referred to the Appropriations Committee.
Assembly Bill 1743 would amend Penal Code section 11108.3 to require the California DOJ to share firearm trace data and inspection information with local governments, community colleges, CSU, and UC campuses for academic and policy research purposes.
| Make | Model | Added |
|---|---|---|
| Heckler & Koch | P2000SK-V2 9mm (Columbus GA) | |
| Smith & Wesson | 327-1 TRR8 | |
| Springfield Armory | PC9107LCA-G10 | |
| SIG | PE-57/SG 550/SG 551 | |
| Armscor Precision | AP9 FS | |
| Heckler & Koch | USP 45 Elite |
Current California firearms statutes and regulations
Firearms licensing requirements
Step-by-step guides for firearms compliance
Searchable database of approved firearms
Frequently asked questions about CA gun law
Legislative updates and legal developments