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Purchasing a firearm in California

Steps to Register a Firearm in California

Anyone moving into California with a firearm is considered a Personal Firearm Importer and within 60 days must either:

1. complete a New Resident Report of Firearm Ownership, pay $19 fee
2. sell or transfer the firearm to a California licensed firearm dealer or to another person through a dealer
3. sell or transfer the firearm to a California police or sheriff's department

Registration is required for handguns. Assault weapons are generally outlawed in California and machine guns and ammunition feeding devices with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds are prohibited from being brought into the state

Requirements to hold a firearm license

• at least 21 years old
• must be conducted through a California licensed dealer under the Dealer's Record of Sale process
• provide proof of identity/age, CA residency, and legally in the US
• for handguns, must also show Handgun Safety Certificate with completion of a safety demonstration or qualify for a Handgun Safety Certificate.

More information on Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL), as well as what each license type can do, can be found on our FFL home page.
We also have a very helpful FFL search tool if you want to search by postal code, state, business name, or even license number.

Does California Require a Background Check to purchase a Firearm?

Yes, California has a state law that requires a background check prior to the sale of a firearm.

Must be conducted through the CA Department of Justice which in turn requests information from the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as well as searchin state records.

Owning a firearm in California

Does California have a Gun Free Zone law?

Yes, California has a defined list of gun free zones:

• public or private K-12 school or within 1000 feet of the grounds of the school
• Areas regulated by the Department of Parks and Recreation
• state or local public building or any meeting open to the public
• state capitol grounds bounded by 10th, L, 15th, and N Streets in Sacramento
• state office building at 1021 O Street in Sacramento
• any legislative office
• any office of the governor
• any hearing room being used by any committee of the Senate or Assembly
• governor's mansion or residence
• residence of any other constitutional officer
• residence of member of legislature
• public transit facility
• airport or passenger vessel terminal

Does California Require a Safety Course to own a Firearm?

Yes, you are required to take a safety course prior to owning a firearm in California.

You must provide proof of a valid Firearm Safety Certificate or a valid hunting license

Common Firearm Offenses in California

• Cal. Pen. Sec. 171b Bringing weapon in public building or meeting
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 171c Bringing loaded firearm into State capitol, office of governor, etc
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 171d Bringing loaded firearm into governor's mansion or residence of member of legislature
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 171.5 Possessing firearm in airport or passenger vessel terminal
• Cal. Pen Sec. 171.7 Possessing firearm in a public transit facility
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 189 Murder of the first degree
• Cal. Pen Sec. 245 Assault with a deadly weapon
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 246 Unlawful discharge of a firearm at inhabited dwelling, etc.
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 246.3 Willful discharge of a firearm in grossly negligent manner
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 247 Unlawful discharge of firearm at unoccupied aircraft, car, or building
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 374c Unlawful shooting of firearm from or upon public highway or road
• Cal Pen. Sec. 417.3 Unlawful drawing of a firearm in presence of person in a motor vehicle
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 417.6 Serious bodily injury by person drawing or exhibiting firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 417.8 Unlawful drawing or exhibiting firearm to resist or prevent arrest
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 463 Burglary during a state of emergency
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 487 Grand theft
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 626.9 Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 12021.5 Carrying a firearm during commission of street gang crimes
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 17500 Unlawful possession of assault weapon with intent to assault another
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 17510 Unlawful acts while engaged in picketing
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 17512 Unlawful permitting carry of firearm in vehicle
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 18205 Violation of gun violence restraining order
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 23900 Unlawful alteration/obliteration of mark of identification
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 23920 Unlawful transfer of firearm with altered/obliterated identification
• Cal Pen. Sec. 24310 Unlawful manufacture/possession/sale of camouflaged firearm container
• Cal Pen. Sec. 24410 Cane guns
• Cal Pen. Sec. 24510 Firearm not immediately recognizable
• Cal Pen. Sec. 24610 Undetectable firearms
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 24710 Wallet gun
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 25100 Criminal storage of a firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 25135 Restriction of possession of firearm in residence
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 25140 Leaving handgun in unattended vehicle
• Cal Pen. Sec. 25200 Storage of Firearms Where Child Obtains Access
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 25265 Failure to report loss or theft of firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 25275 Filing false report of firearm theft or loss
• Cal Pen. Sec. 25300 Criminal possession of a firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 25400 Carrying concealed firearm
• Cal Pen. Sec. 25800 Armed criminal action
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 25850 Carrying loaded firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 26350 Openly carrying unloaded handgun
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 26400 Carrying unloaded firearm other than handgun
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 27500 Unlawful sale/transfer of firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 27505 Unlawful sale/transfer to minor under 21
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 27530 Unlawful sale/transfer of firearm w/o serial number
• Cal. Pen. 29010 Unlawful manufacture of firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 29185 Unlawful use of CNC milling machine
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 29820 Unlawful possession of firearm until 30
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 29900 Unlawful ownership or possession of firearm
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 30300 Unlawful sale of ammunition to person under 18 or under 21
• Cal. Pen. Sec. 30320 Unlawful manufacture, sale, transporting of ammunition designed to penetrate metal or armor

More on California Firearm Laws

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