r/CAguns Oct 24 '25

Legal Question CA 2025 New Gun Law Practical Overview

306 Upvotes

Update 1/1/2026: CA DOJ did sent out a bulletin on DES regarding AB-1263 & SB-704 on 12/24/2025. It can be found in this thread (thanks /u/norcal_firearm ). Unfortunately, the document provided virtually zero guidance.

There's also a list maintained by the community for sellers shipping to California in compliance with AB-1263 & SB-704. That list can be found in this thread (thanks /u/TMRD0 )

It remains to be seen if we'll see regulations or further guidance from CA DOJ regarding the new laws this year.


Update 11/29/2025: CRPA has published their Info Bulletin/Guide for Firearm Industry Members concerning AB-1263 as of 11/26/2025. Most of it is the same but a little more detailed on certain parts than my guide and written towards a vendor audience. I'll likely make some updates to my guide; of interest is they include all magazines being affected by AB-1263 because they're mentioned in CA PC 30515, and on a second reading I agree. Right now I'm in my busy time so I haven't done updates yet. Thanks for the callout by /u/cornstrategy !

I was also in the process of doing my own vendor guide... I'll see if I have time to work on that soon. In particular I wanted to discuss using local vendors as pass throughs for California Firearm Accessory (as defined) sales, if they're willing.


Welcome to the CA 2025 New Gun Law Practical Overview

The purpose of this thread is to go over the changes in the law as a result of the new gun bills signed into law in 2025; particularly those related to purchasing. Most of this information I've said in multiple threads and replies. I will probably do some separate threads discussing particular laws in detail as I have time, and link them back here. But for now, I present the pertinent information. It would likely make a wonderful pin on top of the sub for a while, if the mods want to do the needful.

Disclaimer: I Am Not A Lawyer (IANAL). I’m especially not your lawyer. This is not legal advice, but kinda like, my opinion man, on the new gun laws that were passed this year. I do my best to read them, interpret them, and provide a summary. All for the price of free.

Further, this is written for a general audience, not an audience for those with special credentials like LEOs or Firearm Dealers, who may have different exemptions or concerns not mentioned here. Feel free to ask in the comments though.

Anyhow, most people in /r/caguns are focused on the purchase and acquisition of more guns, ammo, and accessories, for better or worse! Therefore, this summary will focus on purchase information and deadlines when these laws go into effect, and how that will affect your ability to purchase.


Glock and Glock Clone Sales Ban

Starting 7/1/2026, AB-1127 prohibits Firearms Dealers from selling a “machine-convertable pistol” at retail (unless they had it in inventory before 1/1/2026). This sales ban does not apply to private party transfers, or LEOs (of course).

What is a “machinegun convertible pistol”? Short Answer: Various Glocks or Glock Clones (with a “cruciform trigger bar”) that may be fitted with a “Glock Switch”, an illegal device that mounts on the backplate converting the firearm to automatic fire. See this thread where /u/Traditional-Tune1755 put together a list of makes & models on the CA Handgun Roster likely affected by the sales ban.

At the time of this posting, Glock has notified industry members they plan to discontinue various models (especially models on the CA Handgun Roster) that are Glock Switch compatible, and release new models. It remains to be seen whether these new models meet the requirements of the bill to be added back on the roster. AB-1127 specifically authorizes CA DOJ to write regulations regarding the sales ban.


Firearm Barrels

Starting 1/1/2026, SB-704 requires that individuals will no longer be able to transfer or purchase a Firearm Barrel (including blanks) unless the transaction is completed in person through a Firearm Dealer. Further, AB-1263 requires that Firearm Dealers provide a notice with firearm law information with firearm barrel purchase, and requires the purchaser to provide proof of age and identity confirming the purchaser is at least 18 years of age. This means you shouldn’t expect to legally order firearm barrels delivered to your house starting 1/1/2026.

Further, SB-704 prohibits those under the age of 18 and those prohibited from possessing a firearm from purchasing firearm barrels. The law also prohibits firearm barrel possession with the “intent to sell or offer to sell” in violation of SB-704.

Starting 7/1/2027, SB-704 will require Firearm Dealers to record purchaser information and conduct an eligibility check. This check would be $5 per transfer, which could increase up to $1 every year. Based on how it’s written, I suspect it will be a check similar to an Ammo Eligibility Check.

There is no general FFL03 + COE exemption.

All of this is subject to regulation written by CA DOJ, which I imagine will likely be published in late December or early January as Emergency Regulations. SB-704 specifically authorizes CA DOJ to write regulations.


Firearm Accessories

Starting 1/1/2026, AB-1263 requires “Firearm Industry Members” to have purchasers of “Firearm Accessories” provide proof of age and identity confirming the purchaser is at least 18 years of age. Additionally, Firearm Industry Members must provide the purchaser a notice with firearm law information. Further, when shipping a Firearm Accessory to a purchaser, a Firearm Industry Member must ensure the package is labeled “Signature and proof of identification of person aged 18 years or older required for delivery.”, that the shipping instructions list an address that matches the purchaser’s identification, and to require the purchaser to present proof of adult identification to the courier and sign for the package when it’s delivered.

What is a “Firearm Industry Member”?

a person, firm, corporation, company, partnership, society, joint stock company, or any other entity or association engaged in the manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, wholesale sale, or retail sale of firearm-related products.

What is a “Firearm Accessory”? I think it’s best to break this down into three parts, the first two which I’ve talked about extensively in the past.

any other attachment or device described in subdivision (a) of Section 30515 of the Penal Code that may render a firearm an assault weapon when inserted into, affixed onto, or used in conjunction with a firearm

This is definitely: Pistol Grips, Thumbhole Stocks, Folding or Telescoping Stocks, Grenade Launchers or Flare Launchers, Flash Suppressors, Forward Pistol Grips, Threaded handgun barrels, second handgun handgrips, handgun shrouds, folding/telescoping shotgun stocks, and any other accessories from CA PC 30515.

an attachment or device designed or adapted to be inserted into, affixed onto, or used in conjunction with a firearm that is designed, intended, or functions to increase a firearm’s rate of fire or to increase the speed at which a person may reload a firearm or replace the magazine

This is vague. It’s unclear, other than there’s already CA law prohibiting stuff like bump stocks or binary triggers. It could be: Fixed Magazine compliance devices like AR MAGLOCK, kingpin, CompMag, etc. Might also be things like speedloaders and MA Loader.

The term firearm accessory also includes any other device, tool, kit, part, or parts set that is clearly designed and intended for use in manufacturing firearms.

The last part I haven’t really talked about. I honestly couldn’t tell you what it means. It is so vague, so encompassing that it could be any firearm part, accessory, or tool. AB-1263 is supposed to be related to ghost guns and illegal manufacture of firearms, so… do I think this would apply to optics? I don’t think of an optic as part of manufacturing a firearm. Could a ¼-28 x 1” Socket Head Hex Screw used in an AR-15 pistol grip be considered a Firearm Accessory? Maybe! I would hope it is interpreted narrowly to maybe only target, I don’t know, gun jigs or something. There’s not a clear limiting principle, so it’s hard to say exactly what falls into this. This is me saying I have no clear advice regarding this part of the definition other than to say we’ll only know what it means once CA DOJ publishes regulations. I believe that if the CA DOJ tries to apply this really broadly though, they’ll have issues coming up with a consistent limiting principle.

All of this is to say: Even if we get a clearer idea as to what parts/tools/etc. this applies to from CA DOJ, many part sellers will likely stop shipping those regulated parts to California.

There is no FFL03 + COE exemption.

All of this is subject to regulation written by CA DOJ, which I imagine will likely be published in late December or early January as Emergency Regulations. AB-1263 doesn't specifically authorize CA DOJ to write regulations, but I imagine they will anyway.


3 in 30

Currently, there’s a statute on the books commonly known as “1 in 30”. This is found under CA PC 27535, generally limiting people from purchasing more than one firearm (or completed frames/receivers, or firearm precursor parts) within any 30-day period. FFL03 + COE holders are exempt.

However, as a result Ngyuen v. Bonta, the 9th Circuit overturned this statute, the state stopped appealing, and the mandate was issued putting the judgement into effect on 8-14-2025. Therefore, “1 in 30” is no longer in effect.

Starting 4/1/2026, AB-1078 will limit people from purchasing more than three firearms (or complete frames/receivers, or firearm precursor parts) within any 30-day period. FFL03 + COE holders are exempt.

Of course a legislator had to just bump it up a bit to 3 guns in 30 days and call it a day. This law is almost certainly unconstitutional as well, given the opinion in Ngyuen v. Bonta. While most of us are hopeful that we’ll therefore be able to easily secure a preliminary injunction preventing this law from going into effect, it’s the 9th Circuit, so who knows.


Clearing up some confusion

“But wait!” you might say “I heard the whole Gun Barrel Background Check bill doesn’t go into effect until 7/1/2027!”. My eye twitches, my blood pressure increases; not because of you of course.

Why yes, that’s been said a lot on Youtube. I could link almost every guntuber that has talked about SB-704 and they either say the whole bill goes into effect on 7/1/2027 (which is wrong), or they only talk about the Barrel Background Check provision of that bill going into effect on 7/1/2027, which is technically true but also not very helpful. I can only guess that they read the summary of the bill, or they only saw one date in the whole bill and assumed the whole bill was going to go into effect on that date.

I’m not going to get into operative vs effective dates (terms I use interchangeably and incorrectly), and there’s a good article on that here. By default, per Article IV Section 8(c)(1) of the California Constitution, most bills signed into law go into effect January 1st of next year. However, legislators can write their bills so that they become operative at a later date. When legislators write those later dates though, they only apply to the provision of the bill that they say it does. So now we get to SB-704, specifically section 33700… we’re just going to talk about (a)(1) and (a)(2) here:

(a) (1) A firearm barrel, as defined in Section 16525, shall not be sold or transferred unless that transaction is completed in person by a firearms dealer licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive.

(2) Commencing July 1, 2027, a firearm barrel, as defined in Section 16525, shall not be sold or transferred unless that transaction is completed in person by a firearms dealer licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, and the licensed firearms dealer has conducted an eligibility check to determine if that the person is authorized to purchase a firearm barrel under subdivision (b) in a manner prescribed by the Department of Justice.

Do you notice how (a)(1) doesn’t have a date, while (a)(2) does? How when (a)(2) talks about that date, it just says “Commencing” followed by the rest of the statute? That means that (a)(2) becomes operative on 7/1/2027, while (a)(1) becomes operative on the default date, which would be 1/1/2026. If you read the whole bill, you’ll see that the only provisions that talk about 2027 are related to the background check specifically.

Another user in this sub ended up calling up SB-704’s author’s office and speaking to their legislative director to confirm that indeed the bill has multiple operative dates as discussed above (Thanks /u/AccordingIy !).

The only guntuber I’m aware of who put out the correct information was Reno May. Remember: I’m not your lawyer, but Reno May is.

The other thing people ask is “Wait, I thought AB-1263 was about 3D printer code or something. What’s this about restrictions on gun parts?”

The answer is AB-1263 is about a lot of things, as I discussed in my analysis months ago (which is still generally true).

I don’t know why they don’t talk about the part of AB-1263 that effectively restricts shipping of a bunch of gun parts. It’s a complicated bill, but it’s something that people need to be aware of since it will affect firearm consumers and sellers directly.


Hopefully y'all found this helpful. Feel free to post any questions. If you think I got anything wrong, point it out.


r/CAguns Feb 03 '26

Politics SB-948: FSCs would require 8 hours of training, including 1 hour live fire training; also required for those moving to CA with firearms.

229 Upvotes

Update 5/19/2026: Latest legislative update for this bill can be found here.


Hello all. Still without my computer so less fancy formatting.

Bill text: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB948

SB-948 by author: Senator Jesse Arreguín.

This bill has two components:

1.) This bill would mandate starting January 1st 2027 that those who move to California with firearms (known as Personal Firearm Importers), in addition to the current requirement of registering their firearms within 60 days of moving to California, must also obtain a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) and submit it with their firearm registration.

2.) This bill would mandate starting July 1st 2028 that to apply for a Firearm Safety Certificate, which one must obtain to purchase a firearm in California, that one must complete a training course of no less than 8 hours, which includes at least 1 hour of live shooting instruction.

Here's the bill as it would amend the current law: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB948&showamends=false

Naturally the bill does not say how much such a course would cost, and you would likely be expected to pay for it. It does mention that the legislature can use DROS funds to pay for implementation costs and ongoing expenses for this program, which of course would probably increase DROS fees if they did.

This is essentially a reintroduction of AB-1187 from Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez from last year: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1187

Edit: As an additional argument against this bill, I want to point out that if you're a new prospective gun owner, you would have to do this training, which includes live fire. Live fire training with... what gun? You don't own a gun yet, so you'd have to rent a gun in addition to purchasing rounds at the range the live fire training is at, thus increasing the costs of training for new gun owners purchasing their first firearm even more.


r/CAguns 9h ago

Heat check

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118 Upvotes

The VP9A1 K 4 inch would fit right in. A case of wants and needs at this point. Do I need a $1200 HK? Yes. Do I want a HK? Yes again. Can I afford it right now. No. I’ll get some cologne instead


r/CAguns 5h ago

Collection Since June🔥

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39 Upvotes

What do u guys think of my collection since i got back into firearms in june? Started with handguns, now pivoting to rifles next🔫🇺🇸🔥


r/CAguns 6h ago

Politics California AB2047 (3D printing). Dead bill walking.

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32 Upvotes

r/CAguns 36m ago

Gun Pics Newest to the lineup!

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Upvotes

Finally picked it up! Longest 10 days of my life😂


r/CAguns 1h ago

CCW OCSD CCW and AZ non-resident CCW timeline

Upvotes

5/31/26 Submitted application
6/7/26 livescan at the ups store $128
6/826 uploaded receipt to CCWpro website
7/16/26 received Interview scheduled for 7/27/26. I rescheduled to 8/10/26 as I was going out of town.
8/1/26 to 8/03/26 Took 16hr class online at my own pace with https://10-8tac.com/ $200
8/5/26 Live fire qualification at insight range $25
8/6/26 uploaded training certificate
8/10/26 Microsoft Teams interview lasted about 10 minutes. All 3 references called about 10 min after
8/11/26 approval email paid final $300
8/17/26 card delivered

$653 plus ammo costs

Az non-resident CCW

8/22/26 uploaded copies of Drivers license and OCSD CCW card as proof of training and paid $67.45

8/22/26 scheduled appointment for fieldprint and paid $20 fee.
8/23/26 fingerprints taken and sent electronically to AZDPS

8/26/26 approved. Should get it in a few days.

Total cost $87.45


r/CAguns 3h ago

FFL03 + COE Timeline

10 Upvotes

Here to add another datapoint for others to reference.

8/01 Mailed FFL03 Form

8/03 Submitted Livescan and COE application

8/05 ATF charged Credit Card

8/20 received FFL03 in mail

8/27 Received COE.

Overall pretty happy with the process. CA DOJ responds surprisingly fast with emails. During the initial application I entered a 0 instead of O for my ATI number and notified them on the 16th, so don't know if that played any part in the timeline


r/CAguns 8h ago

Anybody know if the FFL03 + COE guide on this sub is still up to date?

12 Upvotes

I’ve really been neglecting this and have been wanting to get this done. Just wondering if anybody has recently used the guide in this sub and have had any issues with outdated information on there?


r/CAguns 22h ago

ITS ABOUT TO GET BAD - SB948 California

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127 Upvotes

Reno May's opinion on the passage of sb948


r/CAguns 22h ago

Politics AB-2047 (3D Printer Gun Blocking) passes 29-10-1

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125 Upvotes

r/CAguns 16h ago

Gun Pics Just picked this cutie up

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41 Upvotes

HK Mp5 (umarex) in .22
Do you guys like 1 or 2 better?


r/CAguns 4h ago

Alameda County CCW Process/Timeline

5 Upvotes

Here is my complete timeline and experience applying and obtaining a CCW through the Alameda County Sherrif’s Office.

Initial application: June 2025
Approval to Obtain Livescan: Feb 2026
Interview with ACSO: June 2026
Psychological Evaluation (CorePsych): July 2026
CCW Class: August 2026
Permit Physically Picked Up: Sept 2026

Financial Commitment: $1,335
$100 initial application fee
$70 for live scan
$415 for psych evaluation
$450 for training and quals
$200ish in ammo (you’ll need 100 rounds per gun)
$100 final permit payment

It took about 8 months to hear back after the initial application, about on par with what I read online. I lagged on getting the Livescan done, once it was completed, I was contacted quickly to schedule the interview with ACSO. Interview was pretty standard, they confirmed your responses from the initial application, followed by further questions regarding temper, anxiety, etc. They pull an extremely detailed background check. They had records of every 911 call I’ve made, any time my name was associated with a police report, etc. They will ask you about all these things to confirm you qualify and are not of bad character.

I was approved for the psych evaluation with CORE psychology. It’s $415 (insane). You start with a ~200 question true/false and free response questionnaire. Questions ask about anxiety, depression, drug/alcohol abuse, and all other disqualifiers. The day of the evaluation, you will answer ~340 true/false questions that are extremely repetitive. This is a proctored portion, though my proctor muted their mic and turned their camera off for the ~1 hour it takes. Questions mostly ask about temper, whether you hear voices or see things that aren’t there, delusions of grandeur, paranoia, etc. Generally seems like it’s looking for patterns that indicate certain personality traits that may be red flags. Also seems to be repetitive to catch people lying or misrepresenting themselves. IE “I think I would be a good leader” followed by “I don’t think I would be a good leader” 20 questions later. You then meet with a psychologist, took about 15 minutes. They go over your answers from the initial ~200 questionnaire you submitted unproctored. They did not make me recall my answers, they read them to me and asked me to confirm that was correct (seems odd, but whatever). They then told me three words to remember, continued to ask me questions along the line of “what does ‘the grass isn’t always greener on the other side’ mean to you?” and “how do you manage stress”. Fairly basic and easy to answer. You are then asked to recall the three words (about 5 minutes later). I was then asked what I was applying for, what day of the week it was, who the president is, and what county I was applying through. I believe this was looking for poor memory/dementia.

My honest take on this process so far is that it’s a little goofy. I am a strong advocate for there being a process to ensure those obtaining a CCW are of sound mind and body so we don’t have crazy people out on the street. However, if you make it through the interview with an actual police officer going over your entire criminal and law enforcement interaction history without failing or getting disqualified, you can absolutely make it through the psych eval.

CORE Psych submits their report to ACSO and I was reached out to in a couple of days letting me know I am clear to proceed with the CCW 16 hour training and qualification.

I did the 16 hour initial course through Saber Tactics, Ephraim and Nick run a solid outfit and really embody the “no stupid question” philosophy. 8-9 hours of the course is prerecorded online module with videos and text. You take a 20 question exam at the end. Day of quals there are safety briefs, then handling and dry fire “training”, then you run your quals on whatever guns you listed. They issue the certificate of completion within a couple days. Their course also qualifies you to apply for a non-resident CCW permit in Florida, which gives you 39 state reciprocity (California CCW only gives you two state reciprocity and their both east coast states). You can also apply for an Arizona non resident CCW.

I submitted the certificate of completion on Sunday, and had an email Monday from ACSO to schedule CCW permit pickup. You pay the last $100 fee the morning of permit pickup.

As of today, I have my CCW permit in hand.


r/CAguns 6h ago

How can I make the grip longer on my M&P 2.0 Metal Compact 4”?

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5 Upvotes

I have an S&W M&P 2.0 Metal Compact 4” with the factory 10-round magazines. I really like the pistol, but I’d prefer a longer grip/more grip length, similar to a full-size M&P.
Has anyone found a magazine sleeve, baseplate, or other setup that works with the factory 10-round mags and gives the grip a little more length?
Looking for something that fits properly and doesn’t require permanently modifying the frame. Any recommendations or pictures of your setup would be appreciated.


r/CAguns 8h ago

Coe

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8 Upvotes

Is confirmation for Coe Approval?


r/CAguns 5h ago

Best Carry?

3 Upvotes

What are the better Concealed Carries for big hands? My list is HK USP compact 9mm, Glock 48/43x, and Hellcat Pro. All fit great in my hands


r/CAguns 18h ago

Gun Pics 50 shades of FDE Progress

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31 Upvotes

It's coming a long 🔥🔥


r/CAguns 19h ago

Legal Question Can you legally use a firearm in self-defense against an attacking animal?

29 Upvotes

I have a California CCW and had a question about using a firearm in self-defense against an animal.

Hypothetically, say I’m walking somewhere and someone’s aggressive dog gets loose and actually attacks me or starts biting me. If I reasonably believed I was in danger of serious injury and I shot the dog to stop the attack, could I potentially face criminal charges or have issues with my CCW?

Same question with a wild animal. For example, if a raccoon, coyote, or other animal was behaving abnormally and actually approached and attacked me, especially considering the possibility of rabies, would California law generally allow the use of a firearm to defend yourself?

I’m specifically talking about an animal actively attacking or presenting an immediate threat of injury—not shooting an animal simply because it’s loose, approaching me, or making me nervous.

I realize circumstances matter and this isn’t a substitute for legal advice. I’m mainly curious how California self-defense laws, firearm-discharge laws, and CCW rules apply when the threat is an animal rather than a person.


r/CAguns 23h ago

Gun Pics Wanted to share my Collection

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51 Upvotes

The DERYA dy9 still in jail sadly will pick it up this week.


r/CAguns 15h ago

Legal Question Is this exempt from the roster since it’s technically single action?

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12 Upvotes

Swag.


r/CAguns 2h ago

Any CA legal BULLPUP 9mm carbine ?

1 Upvotes

As the title said, Wonder if anyone seen a good solid build 9mm Bullpup carbine. I got the Tavor X95 for 5.56 but seem like the 9mm conversion kit has been discontinued long ago. Now that i have a Juggernaut JT-9, was thinking about converting it but the lower is not mil-spec, so what now ? A whole brand new gun or a conversion kit that work with JT-9, your thoughts? Thanks!


r/CAguns 3h ago

Uscca membership

0 Upvotes

I keep seeing this uscca membership about how they self defense lawyers and stuff I’m just curious is it worth getting the membership or is there other membership that’s better


r/CAguns 3h ago

How is the M&P compact 4" as heavy as a P-01?

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0 Upvotes

r/CAguns 4h ago

Bought a muzzle brake out of state… company says they need to ship it to FFL…..

0 Upvotes

Is this common or just FUD?