What comes to mind when you think about California? Do you think about the place where angels go? Is it the state with some of the most beautiful coastlines? How about the place where big dreamers try to make their dreams a reality?
Unfortunately, for gun owners or FFL dealers, California is the state with some of the strictest gun laws. As an FFL, we get asked daily what restrictions are in California. Today, we’re here to lay some of the restrictions out for you and provide some helpful links!
HANDGUNS
One of California’s strictest guidelines for handguns is about user safety. Every firearm manufactured or sent to CA must pass very strict tests to even be considered safe in the state. For this safety test, manufacturers must send three unmodified handguns to an independent testing laboratory certified by CA’s Attorney General. Each handgun must pass the guidelines below:
The Firing Test: 600 rounds must pass through the firearm
· 600 rounds passed through the firearm.
· Testers must stop every 50 rounds and let the handgun cool for 5-10 minutes.
· Testers must stop every 100 rounds to check for loose screws and general cleaning.
· Each handgun must be able to pass first 20 rounds with no malfunctions caused by something other than ammo.
· Each handgun cannot have more than 3 total malfunctions (caused by something other than ammo) during the whole 600 round test. Also, it can not have any breakage to operating parts or cracks.
The Drop Test: Handguns must go through a series of drop tests to ensure no accidental discharges
· Handguns go through a series of drop tests to ensure they cannot accidentally discharge if dropped.
· Each handgun is loaded with a prime case (no powder or projectile) and dropped 6 times.
· If the handgun does not “fire the primer” it is deemed safe.
Other Handgun Requirements include:
· No capacity over 10 rounds
· Any centerfire handgun made after January 1, 2006, must have a loaded chamber indicator along with a mag disconnect mechanism.
· Any rimfire made after January 1, 2006, must have a magazine disconnect mechanism if it contains a detachable magazine.
Some have noticed that some newer model handguns that pass these tests are not on the approved list. This is due to California’s Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007, which added that every new semi-auto made for sale in CA must have microstamping.Microstamping is a type of technology that stamps the spent cartridge with a unique identifier for that handgun. Many manufacturers have claimed the technology is too expensive and ineffective, so they have stopped making CA compliant semi-automatic guns.
It can be hard I understand it is hard to determine which make and models have passed these tests. Lucky for you, here is a website that has the full list of approved handguns for CA: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search
SHOTGUNS
When we look at the compliance requirements of long guns, the list gets a bit tougher. Here are the details about what’s permitted and prohibited.
Permitted
· Any shotgun that has multiple tubular mags, each being 10 rounds or fewer capacity. These must be able to be manually switched from one tube to the other to use each group of ammunition.
· Semi-automatics with pistol grips must have a fixed stock.
Prohibited
· Shotguns with revolving cylinders.
· Semi-automatic shotguns that have both folding stock and pistol grip, thumbhole stock or vertical handgrip
· Semi-automatic shotguns that could accept detachable mags
· Shotguns with tubular mags that COMBINED ammunition exceed 10 rounds and can be fired without manipulating the magazine selector, or can be fired using a selector switch that allows the shooter to alternately use ammunition from more than one tubular magazine without manually switching the magazine feeding process.
RIFLES
There are several rules attached to rifles. Most of these are about the classification of “assault weapon”. The guidelines are as follows.
Permitted
· All rimfire rifles with magazine capacity of 10 rounds or fewer, excluding lever actions
· Rifles of any caliber with tubular magazines (Lever Actions) may have capacity of more than 10 rounds
· Springfield M1As will be legal if CA or AA is indicated in the model number
· Stripped AR receivers are permitted, barring the inclusion if Appendices A, B, or C (see the link to the flow chart below) Please check with your FFL dealer before shipping to verify they will accept the transfer.
Prohibited
As I mentioned above, there are quite a few restrictions on rifles. The biggest challenge is trying to figure out what is considered “assault” and what isn’t. The most helpful resource available online can be found here: https://gusslers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AssaultGunFlow7-14-2012.pdf This will lay out everything in the appendices as well as determine if any rifle is considered an assault rifle.
Even though the laws are strict, many are still able to own firearms in the state of California. If you are looking to buy a gun in your state and you are still confused about its legality, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
Contact us at: support@egunner.com for any questions on firearms or bidding on eGunner.com! We will help any way we can.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only. eGunner.com/PropertyRoom.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content or any actions taken based on the information provided.