The story of how California became, according to many, the state with the nation’s most restrictive gun laws has largely followed a familiar pattern:  alarm or tragedy, then a legislative response.

A history of gun control in California

• 1863 — Concealed carry ban: Includes daggers and “swords in canes”
• 1917 — Background checks and concealed carry permits: Dealers must share data with police
• 1923 — First major handgun law:
  • Felons, non-citizens banned
  • Dealer licenses
  • Serial numbers
  • One-day waiting period
• 1965 — Waiting period extended: 5 days for handguns
• 1967 — Loaded open carry ban: After armed Black Panthers visit capitol, Gov. Reagan signs ban for incorporated areas
• 1968 — U.S. Gun Control Act:
  • Nationwide rules
  • Vendor licensing
  • Minimum age requirements
• 1972 — Longer waiting period: 15 days for handguns
• 1982 — Prop. 15 fails: Measure to cap number of handguns
• 1989 — State assault weapon ban: Bans sale of 50+ models
  • Gunman kills 5 children in Stockton
• 1991 — Gun show loophole closed:
  • All sales through licensed dealers
  • Waiting periods for all firearms
  • 10 year ban for some gun offenses
• 1993 — Shooting in San Francisco: Man kills 9 at downtown law office
• 1994 — U.S. assault weapon ban: “Assault weapon” defined by gun features
  • In California, handgun buyers must pass written test, watch video or take course
• 1996 — Waiting period reduced: 10 days for handguns (current law)
• 2000 — Assault weapon ban boosted:
  • Defined by gun features
  • No new 10+ round magazines
  • 1 handgun per month
• 2002 — Handgun safety test: First-time buyers must pass exam given by local law enforcement
• 2004 — U.S. assault weapon ban expires: Sunsets after 10 years
• 2012 — Ban on unloaded handguns in public: State also starts collecting data on all sales
• 2013 — “Microstamping” rule for new semi-automatic pistols, ban on all unloaded guns in public
  • Gun rights sue
• 2014 — Tougher handgun safety test: Test for first-time buyers of any gun
• 2015 — San Bernardino mass shooting: 14 killed when couple go on rampage
• 2016 — Prop. 63 passes:
  • Ammo background checks
  • No mail orders
  • Bans all big magazines
• 2017 — Mag ban blocked and “ghost gun” shooting
  • Judge freezes ban
  • Shooter kills 5 in Tehama County using self-assembled guns
• 2018 — Another suit, another mass shooting
  • Gun groups sue over Prop. 63’s order-by-mail ban
  • CA Supreme Court upholds microstamping
  • Shooter kills 13 at Thousand Oaks bar
• 2019 — New governor, new rules
  • 21 year age limit
  • Lifetime ban for misdemeanor domestic violence
  • Mass shootings at the Gilroy Garlic Festival and Saugus High School
• 2020 — Legal limbo: Federal judge puts hold on ammunition background check requirement and large magazine ban. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals restores the law and allows it to take effect.
• 2022 — Major Supreme Court case: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a New York City concealed carry law in a ruling that has major ramifications for state and local gun control policies.
• 2025 — About those background checks: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals strikes down California’s ammunition background checks from Prop. 63, citing the new standard for gun control laws set by the U.S. Supreme Court in the New York concealed carry case. The 9th Circuit also overturned the California law that limited gun purchases to one per month.