CA Firearms Laws - Overview
Dear LEOs,
I hope this message finds you well. As part of our ongoing efforts to stay informed and ensure compliance with laws across the US, we would like to provide a brief overview of the key firearms laws currently in place across the state. These laws are designed to promote public safety while balancing the rights of lawful gun owners.
Your attention to these regulations is crucial in maintaining safety and upholding the law in our communities.
Thank you for your continued service and dedication!
California has some of the strictest firearms laws in the United States. Here’s an overview of key laws related to firearms ownership, possession, sales, and use in California:
1. Firearm Purchases
Background Checks: All firearm sales, including private transfers, must go through a licensed dealer and require a background check (Dealer Record of Sale or DROS process).
10-Day Waiting Period: A mandatory 10-day waiting period is required for all firearm purchases.
Age Requirements: You must be at least 21 years old to purchase a firearm. (Exceptions for rifles and shotguns exist, allowing purchases at 18 in some cases.)
2. Firearm Registration
Handgun Registration: All handguns sold in California must be registered with the state.
Assault Weapon Registration: Certain firearms classified as assault weapons must be registered with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) if they meet specific criteria.
New Residents: New California residents must register any firearms they bring into the state within 60 days of arrival.
3. Assault Weapons Ban
Banned Firearms: California prohibits the sale, transfer, or possession of most assault weapons, which include semi-automatic rifles with features such as detachable magazines, pistol grips, folding stocks, and flash suppressors.
Featureless Rifles: To comply with the law, many firearms owners modify their rifles into "featureless" configurations that omit the banned characteristics.
4. Magazine Capacity Restrictions
10-Round Limit: California law restricts the sale, transfer, or possession of magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. There are exceptions for law enforcement and certain older magazines legally owned before 2000.
5. Ammunition Laws
Ammunition Purchase Restrictions: Ammunition sales require a background check at the point of sale, and all transactions must occur through a licensed dealer.
No Mail-Order Sales: Direct mail-order sales of ammunition to individuals are prohibited; it must be delivered to a licensed dealer for pickup.
6. Concealed Carry Permits (CCW)
Shall-Issue Basis: Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permits are issued by county sheriffs or city police chiefs on a "may issue" basis. The applicant must show "good cause" and demonstrate moral character.
Training Requirements: Applicants must complete a firearms training course.
7. Red Flag Laws (Gun Violence Restraining Orders)
Temporary Confiscation: California has a "Red Flag" law, allowing law enforcement, family members, employers, and others to request a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO), which temporarily prohibits someone from possessing firearms if they pose a danger to themselves or others.
8. Safe Storage Laws
Storage at Home: California law requires firearms to be stored securely in homes, particularly if minors live in the home. Failure to store a firearm safely can result in criminal charges if a minor gains access and injures themselves or others.
In Vehicles: Firearms left in vehicles must be stored in a locked container or the trunk, with the ammunition stored separately.
9. Firearm Safety Certificates
Required for Purchase: Prospective firearm buyers must obtain a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) by passing a written test on firearm laws and safety. This applies to both handgun and long gun purchases.
10. Open Carry
Prohibited: Open carry of firearms is largely prohibited in California, with few exceptions, such as for certain rural areas or while hunting.
11. Prohibited Persons
Who Cannot Own Firearms: Certain individuals, including felons, people with domestic violence convictions, those with restraining orders, and individuals adjudicated as mentally ill, are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms in California.
12. Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale
Handgun Roster: California maintains a roster of handguns that meet specific safety criteria, and only those handguns can be sold by licensed dealers. Many newer models of handguns are not included on this roster due to microstamping requirements.
13. Firearm Serial Numbers
Ghost Guns: California law prohibits the sale or possession of homemade firearms (commonly referred to as "ghost guns") unless they have a state-issued serial number and have been registered.
14. "Stand Your Ground" and Self-Defense Laws
Duty to Retreat: California does not have a "Stand Your Ground" law, but the state does allow the use of deadly force in self-defense when there is a reasonable belief of imminent threat to life or serious injury. There is no duty to retreat if someone is attacked in their own home (Castle Doctrine).
15. Gun Shows
Gun Show Purchases: Firearms purchased at gun shows are subject to the same background check, waiting period, and other regulations as any other purchase in California.
16. Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms
Mandatory Reporting: Firearms owners must report the loss or theft of a firearm to local law enforcement within five days of discovering it missing.
We hope this helps you to be even more prepared to handle business out there!
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