California Firearms Laws 2007 California Department of Justice Edmund G. Brown Jr. Attorney General http://www.ag.ca.gov/ California Firearms Laws 2007 CALIFORNIA FIREARMS LAWS TABLE OF CONTENTS ADDENDUM - SUMMARY OF NEW LAWS . .1 DEFINITIONS . 4 Firearms . .. .4 Handguns . .. .4 Exceptions . .4 1. PROHIBITED FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, AND RELATED DEVICES short-barreled shotgun . .5 short-barreled rifle . .5 camouflaging firearm container . 5 cane gun . .. .5 wallet gun . .5 undetectable firearm . .. 6 flechette dart . 6 zip gun . .. .6 unconventional pistol . .6 multiburst trigger activator . .6 bullet containing or carrying an explosive agent . 6 dirk or dagger . .. .6 nunchaku . .6 metal knuckle . .. .6 hard plastic knuckles . .6 ballistic knife . .7 shuriken . .. .7 belt buckle knife . .. 7 lipstick case knife . 7 cane sword . .. .7 shobi-zue . .7 leaded cane . .7 air gauge knife . .7 writing pen knife . .7 metal military practice hand grenade or metal replica hand grenade . ..7 large capacity magazine . 7 Exceptions . 7 Machineguns . 8 Assault Weapons . 8 Exceptions . 15 California Firearms Laws 2007 i Armor-Piercing Bullets . 17 Larger Caliber Weapons and Tracer Ammunition . 17 Firearm Silencers . 18 Sniperscopes . 18 Boobytraps . .. 18 Flamethrowers . .18 2. PERSONS INELIGIBLE TO POSSESS FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION Persons Convicted of Felonies or Other Specified Crimes . 19 Persons Convicted of Misdemeanor Violations of Specified Offenses . 20 Persons Prohibited From Possession, Purchase of Firearms As a Condition of Probation . ........22 Persons Subject to a Protective Order . 22 Persons Subject to a Temporary Restraining Order . 22 Persons Subject to Juvenile Court Law . 24 Mental Patients . 25 Justifiable Possession of a Firearm by Certain Prohibited Classes . 26 Personal Firearms Eligibility Check . 26 3. THE USE OF FIREARMS IN DEFENSE OF LIFE AND PROPERTY 27 Use of a Firearm or Other Deadly Force in Defense of Life and Body . 27 Self-Defense Against Assault . 27 Protecting One’s Home . 27 Defense of Property . 28 Limitations on the Use of Force in Self-Defense . 28 4. POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION OF CONCEALED WEAPONS Carrying a Concealed Handgun Without a License on One's Person or Concealed in a Vehicle . ......... 28 Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons . 30 5. LOADED FIREARMS Loaded Firearms in a Public Place . 31 Exceptions . 31 Firearms in the Home or Business . 32 Carrying Unregistered Loaded Handguns . 32 6. FIREARMS AND PICKETING ACTIVITY General Exceptions Are Not Applicable . 33 7. FLAREGUNS......................................................................................................33 California Firearms Laws 2007 ii 8. SALES, LOANS, AND OTHER TRANSFERS OF FIREARMS Handgun Purchases Limited to One Per 30-Days . 33 Exceptions . 34 Handgun Safety, Functionality, and Testing Requirements . 34 Exceptions . 34 Sales, Loans, or Transfers of Firearms . 37 Exceptions . 37 Handgun Safety Certificate . 38 Exceptions . 38 California Residency Requirement........................................................................... 39 Sales, Loans, and Transfers of Firearms by Personal Handgun Importers . 39 Sales or Transfers of Firearms to Mental Patients . 40 Sales or Transfers of Firearms or Related Devices to Minors . ..