Guns laws cover the who, what, where, when and how of buying, selling, lending, leasing, storing and firing guns. By national standards, California law is strict on just about all of these points.
Who can sell
- Licensed dealers only
- To qualify as a licensed dealer you must pass background check, earn a safety certificate and report all sales
- Gun show and other private sales must go through a licensed dealer
Who can buy
- Must pass an exam administered by the state Department of Justice
- Must wait 10 days between purchasing and receiving a gun
- Over age 21
- Must be a resident (handguns)
Who can’t own
- Lifetime ban for:
- Many violent felonies and various domestic violence misdemeanors
- Those involuntarily placed into mental health treatment twice in same year
- Ten year ban for certain misdemeanors
- Temporary ban for:
- Those subject to restraining orders
- A court can temporarily remove firearms from anyone charged with domestic violence
Ammo rules
- Anyone selling more than 500 rounds per month requires a license*
- Can only buy from licensed dealer*
- No online purchases for home delivery
- No magazines with 10+ rounds*
- Background check required*
*Currently held up in court
Where and how
- No carrying in open—loaded or not
- Concealed carry with permit only
- Concealed carry applicants must demonstrate “good moral character” and “good cause,” then pass a test
- No permit required for those who believe they are in “grave danger” from subject of a restraining order
- Otherwise, gun must be transported unloaded and in a locked container
What’s banned
- “Assault weapons,” which include all semi-automatic firearms without a fixed magazine and at least one suspect feature such as a protruding pistol grip
- Any “assault weapon” listed by state
- Post-1986 automatic weapons
- Handguns not listed on the state’s Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale
- Gun with no registered serial number
- Newly produced semi-automatic handguns without microstamping
- Sound suppressors and bump stocks