Sources
- https://oag.ca.gov/firearms
The California Attorney General's official website provides comprehensive and authoritative information on state gun laws, including age restrictions, DROS requirements, and prohibited firearms. - https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml
The official California Legislative Information website provides direct access to the Penal Codes referenced in the blog post (e.g., 26350, 25850, 30600 PC), allowing verification of the specific statutes mentioned. - https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-carrying.htm
The California Courts Self-Help Guide provides clear explanations of concealed and open carry laws, as well as restrictions on where firearms can be carried, which aligns with the blog post's content. - https://www.atf.gov/firearms/state-laws-and-published-ordinances-california
The ATF's official compilation of California firearm laws provides federal and state perspectives on prohibited persons (e.g., felons, drug users) and assault weapon bans, supporting several claims in the post. - https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/firearms/
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's firearms page offers authoritative information on firearm prohibitions for convicted criminals and those with mental health disorders, as mentioned in the blog post.
Key Points
- Minimum age to purchase a gun in California is 21, but rifles or shotguns can be bought at 18.
- A Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) is required for all gun sales, whether public or private.
- Convicted criminals and drug addicts are generally prohibited from legal gun ownership in California.
- Open carry of guns is a felony under Penal Codes 26350 and 25850 PC for unloaded and loaded guns, respectively.
- Certain firearms like zip guns, undetectable firearms, and short-barrelled rifles/shotguns are prohibited under Penal Code 16590.
- Assault weapons and Browning Machine Gun Rifles (BMGs) are banned from manufacture, delivery, import, or sale in California.
- Guns are prohibited in specific places like schools, government buildings, airports, public transit, and the Governor's mansion.
- Restrictions apply to other firearms accessories like silencers, stun guns, armor-piercing bullets, and laser scopes.
- Individuals with mental health disorders, domestic violence convictions, or multiple felonies are barred from gun ownership.
- A red flag law allows employers, teachers, and employees to report individuals they deem irresponsible for gun ownership.
Summary
California gun laws require individuals to be at least 21 to purchase most firearms, though rifles and shotguns can be bought at 18. Strict regulations prohibit convicted criminals, drug addicts, and those with certain mental health conditions from owning guns, while open carry and assault weapons are banned. Additionally, firearms are restricted in places like schools, government buildings, and airports.
Current California gun laws state that a person must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a gun. Although, a rifle or shotgun can be bought at the age of 18.
The Dealer’s Record of Sale, or DROS, is also required by a dealer to sell, whether one is public or privately bought.
If you’re a convicted criminal, you might never be able to attain legal gun ownership in California. The same applies to drug addicts.
You can also face charges for possession of concealed carry guns or other prohibited weapons unless you are permitted to do so by the relevant authorities.
Open Carry Laws
In addition, it’s a felony to openly carry a gun. This falls under the Penal Codes 26350 and 25850 PC for unloaded and loaded guns, respectively.
Under Penal Code 16590, California law prohibits the carrying or selling of certain kinds of guns. These include, but are not limited to:
- Zip guns.
- Firearms that can’t be spotted.
- Short-barrelled firearms, such as rifles and shotguns.
The Penal Codes are 33600 PC, 24610 PC, and 33215 PC.
Assault Weapon Gun Law
Also forbidden under California Penal Code 30600 PC are Browning Machine Gun Rifles (BMGs) and assault weapons. They cannot be manufactured, delivered, imported, or sold in California.
It’s against the legal requirements to carry such firearms under California Penal Code 30605 PC.
Where In California Can’t You Bring a Gun?
In “The Golden State,” California lawmakers have ensured that you can’t legally bring a gun into the following places under any circumstances:
- Schools under Penal Code 626.9 PC.
- Government buildings following Penal Code 171c PC.
- Airports as per Penal Code 171.5 PC.
- Public meeting places under Penal Code 171b PC.
- Public transit spaces as per Penal Code 171.7 PC.
- The Governor’s mansion under Penal Code 171d PC.
For other firearms, aside from guns, California law states that there are mandates which limit or restrict gun rights in terms of the use of silencers, stun guns, armor-piercing bullets, as well as laser pointers and scopes.
Who’s Not Permitted To Carry a Weapon According to California Gun Law?
Under the Second Amendment, the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms.
However, this isn’t the case for all. As well as felons and drug users, those prohibited from being a gun owner include those with at least two felonies under Penal Code 417 PC.
Those who have been convicted of domestic felonies or who’ve caused injury to a family member fall under the category of Penal Code 273.5 PC and are barred from becoming a gun owner.
Additionally, a person with a mental health disorder is not permitted to be in possession of a firearm.
A reg flag state law is in place which enables the following to prohibit the allowance of a firearm from being owned by personnel they deem irresponsible:
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- Employers and company managers.
- Teachers.
- Employees.
