California Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does California have an Assault Weapons Ban? | ✅ Yes. Bans semi‑automatic rifles defined by features and under PC 30600/30510/30515 (Roberti‑Roos Act). |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. All firearm transfers—including private—must be processed through a licensed dealer (FSC and DROS required). |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Dealer sales require DOJ background checks and FSC/DROS for every sale. |
| Is California Stand Your Ground state? | 🚫 No. California does not allow Stand Your Ground; certain duties to retreat apply outside the home. |
| What kind of restrictions does California have? |
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| Does California have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes. Safe-storage required when minors are present or firearms are stored in vehicles. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in California? | 🚫 No. One handgun per 30 days (long guns not subject to this rule).
|
| Does California have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) started in 2016 and have been expanded recently. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
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| Do I have to register my guns in California? | ✅ Yes. Handguns, new semi‑autos having banned features, and assault weapons must be registered with DOJ. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | ✅ Yes. DROS & FSC are mandatory; plus a 10‑day waiting period applies to all firearm purchases. |
| Does California have a waiting period for firearms? | ✅ Yes. California enforces a **10‑day** waiting period on all firearm purchases and transfers . |
✅ Yes. Bans semi‑automatic rifles defined by features and under PC 30600/30510/30515 (Roberti‑Roos Act).
✅ Yes. All firearm transfers—including private—must be processed through a licensed dealer (FSC and DROS required).
✅ Yes. Dealer sales require DOJ background checks and FSC/DROS for every sale.
🚫 No. California does not allow Stand Your Ground; certain duties to retreat apply outside the home.
- ℹ️ 10‑round magazine limit (Prop 63)
- ℹ️ Feature‑based assault weapon restrictions
- ℹ️ All transfers via dealers, plus DROS and FSC requirements
✅ Yes. Safe-storage required when minors are present or firearms are stored in vehicles.
🚫 No. One handgun per 30 days (long guns not subject to this rule).
✅ Yes. Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) started in 2016 and have been expanded recently.
- ℹ️ Handguns: 21+
- ℹ️ Long guns: 18+
✅ Yes. Handguns, new semi‑autos having banned features, and assault weapons must be registered with DOJ.
✅ Yes. DROS & FSC are mandatory; plus a 10‑day waiting period applies to all firearm purchases.
✅ Yes. California enforces a **10‑day** waiting period on all firearm purchases and transfers .
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does California allow Open Carry? | 🚫 Prohibited. Carrying a visible handgun, loaded or unloaded, in public or a vehicle is illegal under PC 26350. |
| Does California allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal only with a California-issued CCW license (may-issue under PC 26150/26155). |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray is legal; stun guns are restricted but may be carried legally with proper licensing. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Permit holders may carry concealed everywhere except in prohibited locations like schools, hospitals, bars, and other sensitive places. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 CCW does not override bans in schools, federal buildings, polling places, amusement parks, etc. |
| States honored? | 🚫 None. California does not recognize any out-of-state CCW permits. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ California CCW permits are honored in these 27 states:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ✅ Issued by county sheriffs or police chiefs; applicants must meet residency, training, good moral character, and (historically) “good cause.” |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Concealed carry weapon (CCW) licenses are issued by either the county sheriff or the chief of police of a city, depending on where the applicant resides. |
🚫 Prohibited. Carrying a visible handgun, loaded or unloaded, in public or a vehicle is illegal under PC 26350.
✅ Legal only with a California-issued CCW license (may-issue under PC 26150/26155).
✅ Pepper spray is legal; stun guns are restricted but may be carried legally with proper licensing.
✅ Permit holders may carry concealed everywhere except in prohibited locations like schools, hospitals, bars, and other sensitive places.
🚫 CCW does not override bans in schools, federal buildings, polling places, amusement parks, etc.
🚫 None. California does not recognize any out-of-state CCW permits.
✅ California CCW permits are honored in these 27 states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
✅ Issued by county sheriffs or police chiefs; applicants must meet residency, training, good moral character, and (historically) “good cause.”
🚫 No. Only handguns.
ℹ️ Concealed carry weapon (CCW) licenses are issued by either the county sheriff or the chief of police of a city, depending on where the applicant resides.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Legal & State Firearm Info | |
| CCW Licensing & Training | |
| Tax & Gun Industry Guidance |
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| Special Topic – Ghost Guns |
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California Leadership
- Born: October 10, 1967 (San Francisco, CA)
- Term Started: January 7, 2019
- Previous Role: Lieutenant Governor of California, Mayor of San Francisco
- Born: March 22, 1973 (Los Angeles, CA)
- Senate Service: Since January 20, 2021
- Previous Role: California Secretary of State, State Senator, Los Angeles City Council Member
- Born: May 11, 1979 (Magnolia, MS)
- Senate Service: October 3, 2023 – December 8, 2024
- Previous Role: President of EMILY’s List, SEIU Union Leader, Political Strategist