California Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

No. The California Department of Justice says that, generally, 'you may not carry a concealed firearm on your person in public unless you have a valid Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) license.' It is also illegal to carry a loaded firearm on one's person or in a vehicle in any public place, on any public street, or where it is unlawful to discharge a firearm (with exceptions such as lawful hunting and target ranges).

License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW license), issued by the county sheriff or the chief of a city police department (not the DOJ); the licensing authority 'shall issue or renew' a license upon proof the applicant meets the statutory qualifications (shall-issue). Applicant must: not be a 'disqualified person' under Pen. Code § 26202 (which includes being found 'reasonably likely to be a danger'); be at least 21; for California residents, live in the county or city (or work there and spend substantial time there); complete the required training of no less than 16 hours for new applicants (8 hours for renewal), including live-fire exercises and at least one hour on mental health and mental health resources, taught by DOJ-certified instructors; and be the recorded owner with DOJ of each firearm listed. Fingerprints and state and federal record checks are required. The DOJ standard form now also provides for licenses to non-California residents who meet listed conditions. A standard CCW license is valid for 'any period of time not to exceed two years.' In counties under 200,000 population, residents may instead be issued a license to carry loaded and exposed in that county only. Fees are set by the local licensing authority (DOJ does not list a statewide fee).

Generally prohibited. It is generally illegal to carry an exposed and unloaded handgun on one's person or in a vehicle in a public place or public street in an incorporated city, or on a public street in a prohibited area of unincorporated territory (Pen. Code § 26350), and illegal to carry a loaded firearm in public (§ 25850). The exception is a license to carry loaded and exposed, available only to residents of counties with fewer than 200,000 people and valid only in that county.

A California licensed dealer may not sell, deliver or transfer any firearm to a person under 21 (Pen. Code § 27510). The exemptions apply only to firearms that are not handguns, for persons 18 or older who hold a valid hunting license, are active peace officers or federal officers authorized to carry, are active members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard or reserves, or are honorably discharged members. Because private-party sales must go through a dealer, the same age rules apply to private sales. Handgun buyers must also show proof of California residency and hold a Firearm Safety Certificate.

Yes, universal. 'Generally, all firearms purchases and transfers, including private party transactions and sales at gun shows, must be made through a California licensed dealer under the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) process.' A private party transfer must be done with both parties in person at a licensed dealer; the dealer may charge up to $10.00 per firearm on top of the state fee of $37.19 (DROS fee $31.19, $1.00 Firearms Safety Act Fee, $5.00 Safety and Enforcement Fee). Exceptions include transfers between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and spouses or registered domestic partners (handgun recipients must have a Firearm Safety Certificate and report the transfer to DOJ with a $19 fee within 30 days), and antique and certain curio or relic long guns. Buyers must present a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC). A person may not apply to buy more than three firearms within any 30-day period, with limited exceptions.

10 days for all firearms: 'California law imposes a 10-day waiting period before a firearm can be released to a purchaser or transferee,' calculated as ten 24-hour periods from when the DROS information is submitted to DOJ. If the buyer does not take possession within 30 days of DROS submission, the sale must be cancelled. Exemptions do not apply to the general public (e.g. dealers, special permit holders, certain curio and relic collectors, peace officers with agency authorization).

Yes: the gun violence restraining order (GVRO), which can stop someone from having, owning, buying or receiving firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, magazines or body armor. Who may ask: a law enforcement officer or agency; an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or anyone who regularly lives with the person now or did in the last 6 months); the person's employer; a co-worker with regular contact who has worked with the person for at least a year and has the employer's permission; and an employee or teacher at a school the person attended in the last six months, with an administrator's or supervisor's permission. After a court hearing, an order 'can last up to 5 years'; temporary and emergency orders are short-term.

Assault weapons are banned unless registered during closed registration periods. California law has three categories: firearms on the original Roberti-Roos list, AK and AR-15 series weapons, and firearms with specified generic characteristics ('SB 23 assault weapons'); .50 BMG rifles are also regulated. Registration periods have ended, registered weapons may not be sold or transferred to family members, and inherited ones must be disposed of within 90 days. Large-capacity magazines (able to accept more than 10 rounds): it is generally illegal to buy, manufacture, import, keep for sale, expose for sale, give or lend them; continued possession of magazines owned in California before January 1, 2000 is legal for people not otherwise prohibited.

Without a CCW license, a handgun may be transported by motor vehicle by a U.S. citizen over 18 who is not prohibited, only if it is unloaded and locked in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container; the glove or utility compartment does not count. Rifles and shotguns need not be in a locked container but must be unloaded while transported. Registered assault weapons must be unloaded, in a locked container, and moved only between specified locations. Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place or on a public street is illegal, and a driver or owner may not knowingly let a passenger carry one. CCW licensees in a sensitive place may keep a firearm locked in a DOJ-approved lock box in the vehicle.

None. 'California law does not honor or recognize CCW licenses issued outside this state'; 'CCW licenses/permits issued in other states are not valid in California.' Non-residents must obtain a California license (the DOJ standard application now provides for non-resident licenses).

Everyone: possessing a firearm in a school zone (K-12 grounds and within 1,000 feet) is generally prohibited (Pen. Code § 626.9), and bringing a firearm onto a public or private college or university campus without written permission is a felony. CCW licensees may not carry in the places listed in Pen. Code § 26230(a). According to DOJ (March 27, 2025), 20 of the 26 are enforceable: school zones; preschools and childcare facilities; buildings controlled by state executive or legislative officers; court buildings; local government buildings; detention facilities; colleges and universities; airports and passenger vessel terminals; nuclear (NRC-regulated) sites; police stations; polling places; bars and restaurants that serve alcohol; playgrounds and youth centers; parks and athletic facilities; most state parks and Fish and Wildlife property (hunting areas excepted); casinos and gambling sites; stadiums and arenas; public libraries; amusement parks; and zoos and museums (most including parking areas). Still blocked by a court injunction: hospitals and medical facilities; public transit; permitted public gatherings; places of worship; financial institutions; and the default ban on private businesses open to the public without a sign allowing carry.

Since January 1, 2024, knowingly possessing a firearm or firearm precursor part (unfinished frame or receiver) without a valid state or federal serial number is generally a misdemeanor; AB 1621 (2022) halted the sale of unserialized precursor parts. Anyone who owns such a firearm or part, or intends to build or assemble a firearm, must apply to DOJ for a unique serial number before building it; new residents must apply within 60 days of arrival.