Senate Bill 704, signed by Governor Newsom on October 10, 2025, and effective January 1, 2026, extends California's FFL transfer requirement to firearm barrels. Previously, barrels were unregulated firearm components that could be purchased and shipped directly to consumers. SB 704 treats barrels as regulated firearm parts subject to the same dealer-transfer infrastructure as complete firearms [1].
What SB 704 Requires
Under SB 704, any transfer of a firearm barrel in California must be completed through a licensed firearms dealer. Specifically:
- All barrel sales require FFL involvement: Private parties selling a firearm barrel must route the transfer through a licensed dealer, who must complete the transfer documentation.
- Online barrel purchases require dealer routing: Consumers purchasing barrels from out-of-state retailers online must have the barrel shipped to a California FFL, who completes the transfer. Direct shipment to consumers is prohibited.
- DROS recording begins July 1, 2027 (Phase 2): The California DOJ Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) system will apply to barrel transfers beginning July 1, 2027. Phase 1 (effective January 1, 2026) requires in-person FFL routing and documentation but does not yet require DROS recording for barrel transfers.
Which Barrels Are Covered
SB 704 applies to replacement barrels for pistols, rifles, and shotguns -- any barrel designed to be part of a firearm. The statute covers barrels sold separately from a complete firearm. Integrated assemblies sold as complete firearms were already subject to DROS requirements and are unaffected. The following are covered by SB 704:
- Pistol and handgun replacement barrels (including compensated and threaded barrels)
- Rifle barrels (AR-pattern, bolt-action replacement barrels, and similar)
- Shotgun barrels sold separately from the receiver
FFL Transfer Process
The transfer process for barrels under SB 704 mirrors the dealer-to-dealer and private-party transfer processes already used for complete firearms:
- The buyer identifies a California FFL willing to receive the barrel.
- The buyer provides the FFL's name, address, and license number to the out-of-state retailer or private seller.
- The seller ships the barrel to the receiving FFL (not directly to the buyer).
- The FFL contacts the buyer when the barrel arrives.
- The buyer appears in person, completes the required documentation, and the FFL maintains transfer documentation per SB 704 requirements. (DROS recording for barrel transfers begins July 1, 2027 under Phase 2 of SB 704.)
- A transfer fee set by the FFL applies (typically $25-$75 per barrel, though fees vary by dealer).
Penalties for Violation
SB 704 makes it a misdemeanor to transfer a firearm barrel in California outside of the licensed dealer process. Both the transferor (seller or shipper) and the transferee (buyer who accepts direct shipment) may face liability. SB 704 establishes a tiered penalty structure. A first violation is a misdemeanor; no specific fine ceiling is stated for first offenses, so general misdemeanor penalties apply. A second violation is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in county jail. Third and subsequent violations carry fines of up to $2,000. Violations by licensed dealers may result in DOJ enforcement action including license revocation.
Effective Date and Current Status
SB 704 is operative as of January 1, 2026 and is actively enforced. No legal challenge to SB 704 has been filed as of May 2026. California residents purchasing barrels from out-of-state sources must route the purchase through an in-state FFL.
Practical Guidance
Gunsmiths and dealers operating in California should ensure they are equipped to handle barrel transfers and have updated their transfer documentation processes. Out-of-state retailers selling to California consumers are responsible for ensuring shipments comply with California law; shipping barrels directly to California consumers without FFL routing exposes retailers to potential aiding-and-abetting liability under California law. Buyers should confirm their intended FFL is willing to receive barrel transfers before placing an order, as some dealers decline non-firearm parts transfers.