CALIFORNIA STATE RESTRICTIONS

DISCLAIMER

Information regarding State and local restrictions, laws and ordinances presented on this page is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the present time. Laws and ordinances for firearms, ammunition, and certain other items are however, subject to change, without notice to us.

Attention

On June 30, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1621 (stats. 2022, ch. 76). Among other things, AB 1621 replaces the current Penal Code section 30400. The new Penal Code section 30400, subdivision (a) takes effect immediately and states: “it shall be unlawful for a person to purchase, sell, offer to sell, or transfer ownership of any firearm precursor part in this state that is not a federally regulated firearm precursor part.” In other words, no firearm precursor parts may be legally purchased, sold, offered for sale, or transferred unless such firearm precursor parts meet the definition of a “federally regulated firearm precursor part.” However, the federal rule defining a “federally regulated firearm precursor part” (Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Final Rule 2021R-05F, Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms) does not take effect until August 24, 2022.

Accordingly, from July 1, 2022 through August 23, 2022, the purchase, sale, offer to sell, or transfer of any firearm precursor part (as defined in Pen. Code §16531, subd. (a)) or federally regulated firearm precursor part (as defined in Pen. Code § 16519) is prohibited in California unless one of the exceptions below applies. Also, from July 1, 2022 through August 23, 2022, California residents may not import, bring, or transport into California a firearm precursor part that the resident purchases from outside of this state unless an exception in Penal Code section 27585 applies. (Pen. Code §§ 16520, subd. (b)(15), 27585, subd. (a).)

On and after August 24, 2022, the purchase, sale, offer to sell, or transfer of only firearm precursor parts (as defined in Pen. Code §16531, subd. (a)) will be prohibited in California unless one of the exceptions below applies. Also, on and after August 24, 2022, California residents can import, bring, or transport into California only federally regulated firearm precursor parts (as defined in Pen. Code § 16519) that the resident purchases from outside of this state so long as the federally regulated firearm precursor part is delivered to a dealer as described in subdivision (a) of Penal Code section 27585.

The exceptions to the restriction at the new Penal Code section 30400, subdivision (a) are:

  • “[B]y operation of law.” (Penal Code § 30400, subdivision (a).)
  • “The purchase of a firearm precursor part that is not a federally regulated firearm precursor part by a federally licensed firearms manufacturer or importer, or by a federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms.” (Penal Code § 30400, subdivision (b)(1).)
  • “The sale, offer to sell, or transfer of ownership of a firearm precursor part that is not a federally regulated firearm precursor part to a federally licensed firearms manufacturer or importer, or to a federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms.” (Penal Code § 30400, subdivision (b)(2).)
  • “A member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, while on duty and acting within the scope and course of employment, or any law enforcement agency or forensic laboratory.” (Penal Code §§ 30400, subdivision (a), and 30420, subdivision (a).)
  • “A common carrier licensed under state law, or a motor carrier, air carrier or carrier affiliated with an air carrier through common controlling interest that is subject to Title 49 of the United States Code, or an authorized agent of any such carrier, when acting in the course and scope of duties incident to the receipt, processing, transportation, or delivery of property.” (Penal Code §§ 30400, subdivision (a), and 30420, subdivision (b).)
  • “An authorized representative of a city, county, city and county, or state or federal government that receives an unserialized firearm precursor part as part of an authorized, voluntary program in which the governmental entity is buying or receiving firearms or firearm precursor parts from private individuals.” (Penal Code §§ 30400, subdivision (a), and 30420, subdivision (c).)

Pursuant to Penal Code section 16531, the Department of Justice is required to provide “written guidance and pictorial diagrams demonstrating examples of firearm precursor parts.” In accordance with this mandate, and to ensure the consistency between California and federal law, the Department has promulgated regulations defining key terms and revised the Firearm Precursor Part Identification Guidebook to help individuals, manufacturers, dealers, and law enforcement agencies identify a firearm precursor part and a federally regulated firearm precursor part.

RIFLES

Prohibited:

.50 BMG caliber rifles (No .50 cal whatsoever in Los Angeles or San Francisco).

Semi-automatic centerfire rifles with a fixed magazine that exceeds 10 rounds.

Semi-automatic centerfire rifles that have an overall length of less than 30”.

Semi-automatic centerfire rifles that have the capacity to accept a detachable magazine AND any one of the following features:

  • Pistol grip
  • Thumbhole stock
  • Folding / telescoping stock
  • Grenade of flare launcher o Flash suppressor
  • Foregrip

Permitted:

Any “assault”-style rifle must have a fixed magazine (bullet button in place of typical magazine release) with a 10 round capacity or fewer to ship.

All rimfire caliber rifles with magazine capacity of 10 rounds or fewer (e.g.: .22 LR, 17HMR, etc.) are permitted, excluding rifles with tubular magazines in lever-action firearms, which do not have magazine restrictions. Rimfire caliber rifles are not considered “assault weapons” and can have features that centerfire rifles cannot.

Rimfire with a capacity of more than 10 can be purchased by LE with proper LE Credentials on file.

Rifles of any caliber with tubular magazines (e.g. lever action) may have a capacity of more than 10 rounds (Cal. Penal Code S.16740).

Springfield M1As will be legal if “CA” or “AA” is indicated in the model number (these models will have a muzzle brake instead of a flash hider).

Stripped AR receivers are permitted, barring inclusion on Appendices A, B, or C (see “Rifle Flowchart” link at top of page). Before shipping, customer must verify with the FFL dealer that they will accept the transfer. Complete AR lower receivers must have “fixed magazine” (e.g. bullet button) and not include prohibited features listed above, nor appear as a named item on Appendices A, B, or C (see “Rifle Flowchart” link at top of page).

SHOTGUNS

Prohibited:

Shotguns with revolving cylinders (e.g. Franchi SPAS 12, USAS-12, Striker-12 or Streetsweeper). Semi-automatic shotgun that has both a folding / telescoping stock and a pistol grip, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip.

Semi-automatic shotgun that has the ability to accept any detachable magazine.

Semi-automatic shotguns with pistol grips must have a fixed stock to be legal.

HANDGUNS

Must be on Department of Justice (DOJ) Handgun Roster to ship*. Every specification for the firearm must

match what is on the roster, otherwise it cannot be shipped.

Prohibited if semi-automatic, has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any of the following features:

Threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or suppressor. o Second handgrip

Barrel shroud

Capacity to accept a detachable magazine outside the pistol grip

Cannot exceed 10+1 round capacity. Mares Legs are not compliant.

Los Angeles and San Francisco:

“Ultra-compact” handguns are prohibited and are defined as:

Overall length of 6 3⁄4 inches or less, OR

Overall height of 4 1⁄2 inches or less (measured with magazine detached).

*Permissible handguns that are NOT on the handgun roster:

Single-action revolvers that have at least a 5 round capacity with a barrel length of at least 3 inches and an overall length of at least 7 1⁄2 inches are permitted.

Single-shot pistols that are top-break or bolt-action with a barrel length of at least 6 inches and have an overall length of at least 10 1/2 inches are permitted.

ACCESSORIES/AMMUNITION

Exploding targets, marketed as separate binary components and sold under trade names such as Tannerite, H2 and Last Man Standing (not inclusive), are prohibited.

Batons are prohibited.

ASP batons and any instrument / weapon known as a Blackjack, Slungshot, Billy, Sandclub, Sap or Sandbag are prohibited.

No .50 BMG ammunition to California.

So-called “bumpfire” stocks and other devices that attach to a semiautomatic firearm which allow discharge of two or more shots in a burst or increase the rate of fire are prohibited (e.g. Slide Fire, Fostech etc).

Certain cities and municipalities may have regulations regarding stun guns, TASER, or pepper sprays. By purchasing one of these items from Gunbuyer.com, you are certifying under penalty of law that you are eligible to purchase and possess a stun gun, TASER or defense sprays from Gunbuyer.com. Pepper spray is limited to 2.5oz containers or smaller.

AR upper receivers (stripped, barreled, or complete with a 16” barrel minimum) are permitted.

All magazines are limited to 10 rounds or fewer.

Large-capacity, magazine-conversion kits, which include, but are not limited to, the body, spring, follower, and floor or end plate, capable of converting an ammunition feeding device into a large-capacity magazine are prohibited.

All ammunition and ammo components must ship to an FFL dealer, and effective July 1, Californians must pass a background check to take possession.


EXCEPTIONS
1. An ammunition vendor with a valid Ammunition Vendor License;

2. A person who is on the centralized list of exempted federal firearms licensees maintained bythe Department shall present a CA DOJ-issued Listing Acknowledgement Letter indicating the individual is currently on the centralized list of exempted federal firearms licensees (FFL);

3. A gunsmith, dealer or wholesaler, ammunition or firearms manufacturer, or importer presenting
a valid type 01, 06, 07, or 08 FFL; 03 C&R (Curio & Relic) licensee who presents evidence of their
03 license, whose licensed 03 premises are within the state of California, AND who has and
presents a current certificate of eligibility (COE) issued by CA DOJ.

4. An authorized law enforcement representative of a city, county, city and county, or state or
federal government shall present his credentials. 

LAW ENFORCEMENT EXEMPTIONS

State of California ACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT officers and peace officers with proper credentials on file MAY purchase off-roster handguns. This exemption includes FEDERAL law enforcement officers residing or working in California.

Law Enforcement (including federal) can purchase non-compliant ARs and so-called “assault pistols” as long as the firearm is being used for duty use only. Department letterhead required and must ship to a dealer with an “assault weapon” permit.

High capacity magazines can also be purchased, however they must be shipped to an FFL. Credentials need to be on file prior to shipment.

Active LE are able to purchase stun guns, TASERs, defense spray, and batons.

Certain entities (departments or city/county offices) and sworn officers (individuals) are eligible to purchase “off-roster” handguns. These entities/officers must have satisfactorily completed the firearms portion of a training course prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training pursuant to CA Section 832. That expanded list of entities/officers can be found here.