California Firearms Laws: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

You’ve found the perfect handgun online, but before you can complete the transfer to your local California dealer, you need a Firearm Safety Certificate, and the pistol must be on the state’s Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. This is just the first hurdle. California’s firearms laws are a complex, ever-evolving web of regulations that directly dictate what you can own, how you can acquire it, and where you can carry it. Getting it wrong isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a felony. This breakdown cuts through the legal jargon to give you the actionable knowledge required to operate within the law.

The Handgun Roster and the “Safe” Handgun Mandate

California maintains an official Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. For a new semi-automatic pistol to be added to this roster, it must pass specific “safety” tests, including a chamber load indicator, a magazine disconnect mechanism (where mechanically feasible), and microstamping capability—a technology that doesn’t functionally exist for commercial production. This has effectively frozen the roster, preventing the sale of most new handgun models from manufacturers. The practical result? Your choices for new, roster-approved handguns are limited to models that have been on the list for years. For example, popular models like the Glock 17 Gen 3 are roster-compliant, while the Gen 5 is generally not. At Highbridgearmory, we clearly label roster status. If you’re a new resident importing off-roster handguns, you must use a Special Firearms Eligibility Check (SFEC) and register them with the DOJ within 60 days.

Assault Weapons and Feature-Based Bans

California’s definition of an “assault weapon” is primarily feature-based for semi-automatic, centerfire rifles. A rifle with a detachable magazine is banned if it has any one of the following: a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock, a folding or telescoping stock, a grenade launcher or flare launcher, a flash suppressor, or a forward pistol grip. The common workaround is a “featureless” build. This involves using a fixed stock (like a featureless rifle stock), a fin grip or sparrow dynamics grip that prevents wrapping the thumb, and a muzzle brake instead of a flash hider. The alternative is a “fixed magazine” solution, like the AR MagLock, which legally makes the magazine non-detachable without disassembling the action. We stock a wide selection of featureless-compliant uppers and parts to help you build a legal configuration.

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

It is illegal to manufacture, import, keep for sale, offer for sale, or give away any magazine that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Possession of such “large-capacity magazines” (LCMs) is generally a misdemeanor. There are limited exceptions, such as for magazines possessed during specific, narrow windows following court rulings, but the current, enforceable law is a firm 10-round limit. This applies to all firearms—handguns, rifles, and shotguns. When you purchase a firearm from Highbridgearmory destined for California, we ensure it is shipped with compliant 10-round magazines or is configured to accept only 10-rounders. Do not attempt to import standard-capacity magazines; it’s a direct violation.

The 10-Day Wait and DROS Process

All firearm purchases from a dealer, including private party transfers (PPT), require a Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) and a mandatory 10-day waiting period. This clock starts when the DROS is submitted to the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ), not when you pay. You will need a valid Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) for long guns and handguns, a second form of ID proving California residency (like a vehicle registration or utility bill), and you must complete a safe handling demonstration for handguns. The 10 days are calendar days, including weekends and holidays. You cannot take possession early. After the 10 days, you have 30 days to pick up the firearm from the dealer. If you miss this window, the dealer must restart the entire DROS process.

Transportation and Carry Laws

Transporting firearms in a vehicle is strictly regulated. Unloaded long guns may be transported anywhere in a vehicle. Handguns and “assault weapons” must be transported in a locked container, and the vehicle’s trunk counts as a locked container only if it is fully enclosed and locked. The glove box or center console does not qualify. The best practice is to use a dedicated, hard-sided locking case like a Pelican, with the firearm unloaded and the ammunition separate. As for carry, California is a “may-issue” state for concealed carry weapons (CCW) permits. Issuance is at the discretion of your county sheriff or local police chief, and requirements vary drastically. Open carry of handguns is generally prohibited statewide. Understanding these transport rules is non-negotiable to avoid accidental felonies during routine travel.

Can I buy ammo online and have it shipped to my door in California?

No. As of July 1, 2019, all ammunition purchases in California must be processed through a licensed ammunition vendor. You can purchase ammo online, but it must be shipped to a CA-licensed vendor (FFL or ammunition vendor). You will then go to that vendor, pay a $1 background check fee (plus any vendor transfer fees), and pass an eligibility check before taking possession. Highbridgearmory facilitates this process by shipping ammunition orders directly to your chosen, participating California FFL.

What is the “one handgun per 30 days” rule?

California law prohibits any person from purchasing more than one handgun, or completing the DROS for more than one handgun, within any 30-day period. This applies to all handgun acquisitions from a dealer, including private party transfers processed through a dealer. There are limited exemptions for certain law enforcement officers, individuals with a valid Curio & Relic (C&R) license with a COE, and transactions where multiple handguns are part of a single operation by a law enforcement agency. The 30-day clock is based on the DROS application date.

Are “80% lowers” or “ghost guns” legal in California?

As of July 1, 2022, it is illegal to manufacture, distribute, transport, import, keep for sale, offer for sale, or possess any firearm that is not serialized by a state or federally licensed manufacturer. This includes previously un-serialized frames or receivers (often called “80% lowers”). Existing unserialized firearms you possessed before that date must have been applied for a state-assigned serial number through the CA DOJ’s CFARS system by January 1, 2024. It is now illegal to build a new firearm at home from an unserialized component without going through a licensed manufacturer. We strongly recommend purchasing only serialized, complete or stripped lower receivers from a licensed dealer like Highbridgearmory to ensure compliance.

Navigating California’s legal maze is a prerequisite for responsible ownership. The team at Highbridgearmory stays current on these regulations to ensure the products we offer and the guidance we provide help you stay compliant. Once you understand the rules, you can make informed decisions about your next purchase. Browse our firearms collection, which is curated with California’s unique requirements in mind, and find the right tool for your needs within the bounds of the law.

Last updated: March 25, 2026