Are firearms legal in California?

Q: Are firearms legal in California?

Firearms in California are restricted. California requires a permit to carry concealed, and the minimum age is 21. The permit is a CCW; the state is shall-issue post-Bruen, applying objective standards, and there are broad restrictions on sensitive places.

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CALIFORNIA · FIREARMS

Firearms

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Restricted: California requires a permit to carry concealed, and the minimum age is 21.

Restricted

Summary

California requires a permit to carry concealed, and the minimum age is 21. The permit is a CCW; the state is shall-issue post-Bruen, applying objective standards, and there are broad restrictions on sensitive places.

Source: oag.ca.gov → · Updated July 2, 2026

California Firearms topics

Concealed Carry in California →Restricted
California requires a permit to carry concealed, and the minimum age is 21.
Open Carry in California →Restricted
California effectively prohibits open carry of a handgun in public — in incorporated cities and in prohibited county areas.
Magazine Capacity in California →Restricted
Magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds are banned.
Gun Possession in California →Restricted
California has a red-flag law (Gun Violence Restraining Orders), an assault-weapons ban in effect, and a 10-round magazine limit.
Transporting Firearms in California →Conditional
Without a California carry license, a handgun in a vehicle must be unloaded and locked in the trunk or in a locked container.
Duty to Inform Police in California →Conditional
California has no proactive duty to inform, but under Penal Code § 26200(a) as rewritten by SB 2 (effective 2024), a CCW licensee must carry the license and may not refuse to display it or to provide the firearm to a peace officer who demands it for inspection; violations expose the licensee to penalties and revocation.
Suppressors & Silencers in California →Restricted
Suppressors are banned in California: civilian possession of a silencer is a felony under California Penal Code 33410, regardless of any registration under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA).
Reciprocity — where is my California permit honored? →
State-by-state map of which states honor a California concealed-carry permit.

Other California laws

Firearms in nearby states

Browse all state laws →

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