State · CA
California gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at California's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed · magazine limit (10 rounds) · “assault weapon” ban
Recently changed or in flux
- Recently changedThe purchase-frequency rule changed: the 1-in-30 rule was invalidated (Nguyen v. Bonta, 9th Cir., June 20, 2025), and AB 1078's 3-in-30 limit has been in effect since April 1, 2026.
- In courtRhode v. Bonta (ammunition checks) is pending en banc (before the full appeals court); the Duncan v. Bonta (magazines) cert petition, No. 25-198, is still pending (last distributed for conference June 29, 2026); and challenges to the handgun roster and under-21 rules are ongoing.
- Recently changedSeveral new firearm laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026 (CA DOJ bulletin 2026-DLE-02; for example, nonresident CCW licenses under AB 1078). They aren't all detailed here.
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- No permit, but buyers need a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC), and all sales go through a dealer (the DROS process). New handguns must be on the state's Handgun Roster (the roster is being challenged in court).
- Long guns
- No permit, but buyers need an FSC, and all sales go through a dealer.
Registration#
- In practice, yes: CA DOJ keeps records of firearm transfers (the Automated Firearms System), and 'assault weapons' owned before the bans had to be registered.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue after Bruen (SB 2, 2024), with disqualifying criteria, 16 hours of training and a long list of 'sensitive places' where carry isn't allowed.
- Open carry
- Generally prohibited. Limited open-carry licenses are available in counties with fewer than 200,000 people.
- Reciprocity
- Doesn't honor other states' carry permits; visitors need a nonresident permit, where one is available.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- Yes. California bans 'assault weapons' by features and by named models; registered weapons owned before the ban may be kept.
Magazine limits#
- 10 rounds. Selling, making, importing or possessing larger magazines is banned (Duncan v. Bonta: the 9th Circuit en banc, meaning the full court, upheld the ban in 2025; a Supreme Court petition was pending as of Oct. 2026).
Waiting period#
- 10 days for all firearms. Purchase-frequency limit: the former one-gun-per-30-days rule was struck down (Nguyen v. Bonta, 9th Cir. 2025). A replacement law (AB 1078, Stats. 2025 ch. 570) limits purchase applications to 3 firearms in any 30-day period starting April 1, 2026 (Pen. Code 27535, confirmed by CA DOJ).
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes, universal. Private sales must go through a licensed dealer.
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes. California has Gun Violence Restraining Orders (2016).
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Prohibited for civilians.
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Prohibited (short-barreled rifles and shotguns) unless you hold a special DOJ permit.
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. California's own restrictions on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns still apply. ATF's federal non-enforcement policy doesn't change state law.
Ammunition#
- Yes. There's a background check at every ammunition purchase, and ammunition must be sold through, or shipped to, a licensed ammunition vendor. An 11% state excise tax applies to firearms and ammunition (since July 2024). Rhode v. Bonta, a challenge to the ammunition checks, is pending before the 9th Circuit en banc; the checks remain in force.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21
- Long gun purchase
- 21, with exceptions for 18- to 20-year-olds: active peace officers, federal officers and active military or reserve members may buy any long gun; honorably discharged veterans and holders of a valid California hunting license may buy long guns other than semi-automatic centerfire rifles (hunting-license holders also can't buy frames, receivers or precursor parts) (Cal. Penal Code § 27510(b)).
- Notes
- The under-21 rules have been challenged in federal court (Jones v. Bonta). The text above is the statute as currently written.Unverified: We haven't confirmed this against the statute yet. Check the official source. See the note below.
Unverified: We haven't confirmed the current status of the Jones v. Bonta challenge from an official court source. We haven't confirmed this against the statute yet, so check the official source.
Shipping and buying online#
- One of the most restricted markets for online buyers. Magazines over 10 rounds, handguns not on the roster, and rifles with 'assault weapon' features generally can't be sold to CA residents. Ammunition must ship to a CA licensed ammunition vendor, not to your home. Body armor and certain parts are restricted, and many retailers block CA addresses entirely. Filtering for 'CA-compliant' products is strongly recommended.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in California. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
Open (2)
Duncan v. Bonta (magazine limit)
No. 25-198 · U.S. Supreme Court (cert petition)
Status:
Challengers asked the Supreme Court to review California's ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The Court hasn't granted or denied the petition yet.
What it would change: If the Court takes the case and rules against the ban, California's 10-round magazine limit could fall, along with similar limits elsewhere.
Status history (4)
- :
- :
- :
- :
Sources:U.S. Supreme Court docket 25-198 ↗
Added · Last checked
Rhode v. Bonta (ammunition background checks)
No. 24-542 · U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit (en banc)
Status:
This case challenges California's background-check system for buying ammunition. The full 9th Circuit (not just a three-judge panel) reheard it, and a decision is pending.
What it would change: A ruling could keep or strike down California's ammunition background checks.
Status history (2)
- :
- :
Sources:9th Circuit - en banc cases (Rhode v. Bonta) ↗
Added · Last checked
Sources and official links#
- California DOJ - Firearms · Officialhttps://oag.ca.gov/firearms
- California DOJ - Ammunition FAQs · Officialhttps://oag.ca.gov/firearms/apfaqs
- CA DOJ Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-02 (new laws) · Officialhttps://www.oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/2026-dle-02.pdf
- CA DOJ dealer FAQs (3-in-30 rule) · Officialhttps://oag.ca.gov/firearms/dlrfaqs
- Cal. Penal Code § 27510 (California Legislative Information) · Officialhttps://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=27510
California entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.