Overview for California
California arguably has the strictest gun laws in the United States, outside of Washington D.C. Some of these laws can vary in different areas of the state.
California is considered to have the strictest gun laws by the Brady Campaign scoring a total of 81 points in 2011. Click here for the official Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence website. California’s state constitution does not guarantee its citizens the right to purchase, bare, or own firearms. In 2008 and 2010 the Supreme Court established that the second amendment in the U.S. constitution applies to all states after Washington D.C. and Chicago were sued for not allowing their citizens to own certain firearms. After this decision many of California’s laws are being challenged.
California is a “may issue” state in law. In practice that applies mainly to more urban areas. Most rural areas function on a more “shall issue” basis. It’s a good idea to check if there are any local restriction in your area.
- The City of Los Angeles requires that a person carrying a concealed weapon must physically have their CCW permit on them.
- In LA firearm dealers must record certain information before selling firearm ammunition. This information is then given to the Board of Police Commissioners.
- In San Diego minors may not carry air guns in public meeting places or on public streets.
| Law | Long-guns | Handguns |
|---|---|---|
| Permit to Purchase | No | Partial |
| Open Carry | Partial | Partial |
| Concealed Carry | Yes | Yes |
| State Preemption of Local Restrictions | Yes | Yes |
| Firearm Registration | No | Yes |
| Owner License | No | No |
The Concealed Carry Permit
(often encompasses the open carry permit)
- Price: Can not exceed $100
- Valid for 2 years
- Regarding Non-residents of California: Does Not Issue
- An owner's license is Not Needed
- Permit to Purchase: Not Needed
- Permits to Purchase Year/Cost: Not Needed
Official Concealed Carry page for California.
California Concealed Carry Reciprocity
California Magazine Capacity
California Imitation Firearms
What is classified as an Imitation Firearm in California?
The following is a list of imitation firearms in California:
- BB gun (except those that expel 6mm or 8mm caliber projectile)
- spot marker gun (except those that expel greater than 10 mm caliber projective)
- toy gun
- replica of a firearm
- airsoft gun configured as a handgun without a blaze orange ring on the barrel and fluorescent coloration on guard and pistol grip
- airsoft gun configured as a rifle or long gun without a blaze orange ring on the barrel and fluorescent coloration on the entire guard, and several other places
- other device that is so similar in coloration and overall appearance to lead a reasonable person to believe it is a firearm
- protective case for a cell phone that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to lead a reasonable person to believe it is a firearm
Does California have a gun buy back program?
California has a gun buy back program, but it is not ran by the state.
State established grant program to fund gun buybacks in local communities in 2022
Does California have an inheritance gun law?
Yes, California has an inheritance gun law.