Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task you must undertake as an armed American. To help with that, we’ve provided a comprehensive overview of California gun laws. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Golden State below.

Can You Carry a Gun in California?

Openly carrying loaded or unloaded firearms in public is generally prohibited in California. Concealed carry is only legal with a California Concealed Carry Weapons License (CCWL). California does not honor concealed carry permits from any other states. However, four states honor California concealed carry permits. For more information on which states have reciprocity with California, check the USCCA CCW Reciprocity & State Gun Laws Map.

California Concealed Carry Permit

California issues carry permits to residents, individuals who work in the state and active duty military members permanently stationed in California. The minimum age is 18 years old, although a licensing authority has the discretion to require applicants to be older than 18 years of age. Cost for an initial license ranges from $70-$200 and is valid for just two years. This does not include the cost of training. 

Concealed carry permits require a minimum 16-hour firearms training course that teaches California firearms laws and gun safety. Training should include firing of a gun in a “live-fire” shooting exercise at a shooting range. 

Find CCW Classes

A CCWL may include any reasonable restrictions or conditions which the issuing authority deems warranted. These may include restrictions as to the time, place, manner and circumstances under which the person may carry a firearm. The timing of the background check approval varies greatly. The CCWL is good for two years.

Is California a Constitutional/Permitless Carry State?

No, California does not allow constitutional or permitless carry. However, following the Supreme Court’s ruling in NYSRPA v. Bruen, California is now a shall-issue state. Government leaders in California are now seeking new ways to restrict access to firearms. “While this decision is no doubt a setback for the safety of Americans, it also affirmed the rights that states maintain to protect our people,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

What Is the Penalty for Carrying a Gun Without a Permit in California?

There are several statutes that may apply to carrying a gun in California without a permit. They include Cal. Penal Code § 25400, which applies to the crime of carrying a concealed firearm, Cal. Penal Code § 25850 regarding the crime of carrying a loaded firearm in public and Penal code § 26350 regarding the crime of openly carrying an unloaded handgun. Penalties vary depending on the specific circumstances.

Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements

California is widely recognized as having some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S. California bans military-style semi-automatic “assault” rifles, and buyers are limited to one handgun purchase per month. There is no firearms registration requirement in California except for assault weapon owners and personal handgun importers. California has a list of handguns that are certified for sale in the state.

Handgun purchasers must either possess a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) plus successfully complete a safety demonstration with their recently purchased handgun or qualify for an FSC exemption. All sales are required to be completed through a dealer who must submit a background check. There is also a 10-day waiting period for the purchase of all guns. 

Does California Have Ammunition and Magazine Restrictions?

Armor-piercing ammunition and the purchase of .50 Browning Machine Gun (BMG) ammunition is prohibited. You must be legally eligible to purchase and/or own a firearm and be at least 21 years old to purchase ammunition. Ammunition may not be purchased out of state and then brought into California. In addition, municipalities may also have restrictions. Large-capacity magazines — defined as those with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition — are banned.

Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons

Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit, although they are not permitted on the property of any state universities, upon the grounds of or within any K-12 public or private school, or within the sterile area of an airport. The minimum age to purchase is 19 years old with no felony convictions. A CCWL is required for concealed carry within the state capitol, legislative office, any state or local public building, or at any meeting required to be open to the public. Possession and use of self-defense sprays that contain no more than 2.5 ounces net weight of aerosol spray is legal provided the spray is used solely for self-defense purposes.

Where Can One Carry Concealed in California?

With a valid CCWL, you can carry a concealed handgun in the following locations:

*Under current court order, SB 2’s “sensitive locations,” which went into effect on January 1, 2024, has been struck down by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The state has appealed the decision.

  • State/national parks and state/national forests, provided the license is valid in the location of the park or forest based on any applicable license restrictions (e.g., city or county of residence)
  • Roadside rest areas
  • Places of worship, unless posted with signs prohibiting firearms

Locations where concealed carry is prohibited

  • Grades K through 12 school grounds
  • Child Care Centers
  • Colleges and universities, unless permission has been granted
  • Gun shows or events if you have ammunition that fits display firearms
  • Upon the grounds of the state capitol, unless permission has been granted
  • In or on the grounds of the governor’s mansion or any other residence of the governor, unless permission has been granted
  • Wildlife Management Areas & Refuges
  • Polling stations
  • On your person or in your vehicle while engaged in picketing or other informational activities in a public place relating to a concerted refusal to work
  • In a public place or on any public street if you are masked to conceal your identity
  • Any place with a primary purpose of dispensing alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption
  • Cal Expo center in Sacramento
  • On any county property in San Francisco county
  • Fresno City Hall
  • Any places restricted on an individual’s concealed carry license
  • Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation

Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in Maryland?

Anyone with a California CCWL can carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in California. Without a CCWL, any firearm must be in a locked container or the vehicle’s trunk. A locked container is defined as a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock or similar locking device. A locked container includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but not the utility or glove compartment.

Ready to Learn More About California Gun Laws?

It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about California’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit California’s gun laws page now…

Additionally, continued firearms training is crucial to protecting your family. Find a shooting range in California through our “Find a Shooting Range” resource — made possible by our partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation and WhereToShoot.org.

 

The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. Members and the concealed carry community, and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case, and laws are constantly changing. As such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.