California Gun Laws
CACalifornia at a glance
Firearm Regulations
Key Notes
One of the most restrictive states. Assault weapon ban includes "bullet button" rifles. 10-day waiting period. Ammo purchases require background check.
- •Yes (FSC required) — A Firearm Safety Certificate is required before purchasing any firearm. You must pass a written test administered by a licensed dealer. From January 1, 2029, under SB 948 (signed September 26, 2026), anyone applying for an FSC must first complete a training course of at least four hours, including live fire on a range, within the prior year. Holders of a California concealed weapons license are exempt.
- •Shall Issue (post-Bruen, SB 2) — California has been shall issue since Bruen, and SB 2 (effective January 2024) set statewide permit criteria. Counties still vary in processing time, and SB 2 bars carry in a long list of sensitive places.
- •Heavily restricted (NFA) — SBRs, suppressors, and machine guns are prohibited for civilians. Only SBS may be obtainable with special permits in rare cases.
- •10 rounds (Mag Limit) — Magazines holding more than 10 rounds cannot be purchased, sold, or manufactured. Possession enforcement has been subject to litigation.
- •Yes (Assault Weapon Ban) — Semi-auto rifles with features like pistol grips, thumbhole stocks, folding/telescoping stocks, or flash suppressors are banned. Fixed-magazine 'featureless' builds are common workarounds.
- •Yes (5 years) Red Flag — A Gun Violence Restraining Order can remove firearms for up to 5 years. Family, employers, coworkers, and teachers can petition.
- •Glock Style Pistol Ban — Sales of pistols that are easily converted to fire automatically (AB 1127) are banned since July 1, 2026; a court declined to block it.
Last updated October 10, 2026
Most Popular AR-15 Parts in California
Ranked by how often builders in California picked each brand, from real builds on GunPartPicker over the last year. One core slot per row.
- StockFeature restrictedMagpul52%
- Charging HandleRadian49%
- TriggerGeissele40%
- Pistol GripFeature restrictedMagpul26%
- Upper ReceiverBravo Company23%
- Lower ReceiverPalmetto State Armory18%
Flagged slots are covered by California restrictions. See How California Law Affects Your Build below, and confirm current law before you buy.
Build yours in the AR Builder and compare live prices across retailers.
How California Law Affects Your Build
Plain-English implications for builders, derived from the regulations above.
Assault Weapon Restrictions Apply
California restricts firearms classified as "assault weapons." Standard AR-15 configurations with features like a pistol grip combined with a collapsible stock, threaded barrel, or flash hider may not be sold or transferred in their off-the-shelf form. Many California builders run "featureless" configurations to remain compliant.
Magazine Capacity Limit in Effect
California limits magazine capacity (10 rounds). Standard 30-round PMAGs and similar magazines may not be sold or imported in their factory configuration. Plan your build around pinned, welded, or reduced-capacity magazines.
NFA Restrictions Apply
California restricts some or all NFA items (Heavily restricted). Suppressors, SBRs, or other regulated items may be banned under state law whatever ATF enforces federally. Verify before buying a 14.5" barrel or pinned muzzle device intended for SBR conversion. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
Permit Required to Purchase
California requires a permit, license, or other prerequisite before you can purchase a firearm (Yes (FSC required)). Factor permit application time into your build timeline before ordering a complete lower or completed rifle.
Background Checks on Private Transfers
California extends background-check requirements beyond licensed-dealer sales (Yes). Private transfers of complete firearms typically must run through an FFL.
Ready to spec a compliant build? Use the AR Builder to compare parts and live prices across retailers.
California Gun Laws — Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the AR-15 legal in California?
- California has an assault weapon ban (Yes). Standard AR-15 configurations are restricted, but compliant "featureless" or otherwise-modified builds are typically legal. Always verify your specific configuration against current California statute before purchasing.
- What is the magazine capacity limit in California?
- 10 rounds. Standard 30-round magazines may not be legal for sale; compliant magazines (or pinned/welded options) are required for new builds.
- Does California require a permit to buy a firearm?
- Yes (FSC required). A permit, license, or qualifying ID is required in California before purchasing a firearm.
- Can I conceal carry in California?
- California concealed carry status: Shall Issue (post-Bruen, SB 2). The state must issue a permit to applicants who meet the qualifying criteria.
- Is open carry legal in California?
- California open carry: Partial (rural only). Local restrictions may still apply in cities, parks, schools, or government buildings.
- Are suppressors and SBRs legal in California?
- NFA item status in California: Heavily restricted. State law can restrict these items whatever ATF enforces federally. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
- Does California require background checks for private sales?
- Yes. Background-check requirements in California extend beyond licensed-dealer sales — most private transfers must run through an FFL.
Sources & Further Reading
Verify current California firearm law with these authoritative resources. Laws change — always confirm with primary sources before purchasing or carrying.
- Giffords Law Center — comprehensive state-by-state firearm law summaries and policy analysis.
- NRA-ILA State Gun Laws — state directory with statute references and recent legislative updates.
- Everytown Research State Rankings — research-driven scoring and policy explanations across all 50 states.
- ATF Firearms — federal regulations on NFA items, FFL transfers, and firearm classifications.
Traveling to California with a gun?
Pick what you are bringing and where you start, and the Gun Travel Checker applies these rules to every state on the route, with what to do before each state line.
Check a trip to California →Legal Disclaimer: This page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with official state sources, a qualified attorney, or local law enforcement before making purchasing or carrying decisions. GunPartPicker is not responsible for errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information.