Los Angeles Local Ordinances

The City of Los Angeles has enacted a series of local firearms ordinances that build upon California state law. Like San Francisco, Los Angeles takes advantage of California's limited preemption framework to impose additional restrictions within city limits. ^[1]

Ghost Gun Restrictions (LAMC Section 55.22)

Los Angeles adopted its ghost gun ordinance on November 30, 2021, before California enacted AB 1621 in 2022. The local ordinance became effective on January 17, 2022. The ordinance was introduced under Council File 21-0899 ^[2]. The ordinance prohibits:

- Possession of any unserialized firearm (ghost gun) within city limits
- Possession, sale, or transfer of unfinished frames and receivers (80% lowers) without a serial number
- Sale or transfer of precursor parts kits designed to build firearms without a serial number

California law separately prohibits an individual who is not licensed to manufacture firearms under state law from using a 3D printer to manufacture a firearm.

The LA ordinance went further than state law at the time of enactment by targeting possession of unfinished frames and receivers, not just completed unserialized firearms. State law has since largely caught up with AB 1621 (2022) and subsequent legislation.

Since the enactment of LA's ghost gun ordinance, California state law has substantially closed the gap between local and state-level ghost gun regulation. AB 1621 (2022) expanded state prohibitions on unserialized firearms and unfinished frames and receivers, and AB 1263 (effective January 1, 2026) ^[3] further broadened state regulation by expanding the definition of "firearm accessories" to include devices, tools, kits, parts, or parts sets that are "clearly designed and intended for use in manufacturing firearms," and requiring proof of age and identity, an identification-matching shipping address, and the purchaser's identification and signature at delivery for shipments of firearm barrels, firearm accessories, or firearm manufacturing machines, subject to the specified recipient and carrier exceptions. It also allows civil actions against people who knowingly distribute digital firearm manufacturing code to people in California other than federally licensed firearms manufacturers, on-duty military members acting within the scope of their employment, law enforcement agencies, or forensic laboratories. SB 704 (effective January 1, 2026) ^[4] generally requires firearm barrel sales and transfers to be completed in person by a California-licensed firearms dealer. Exceptions include transfers to federal firearms licensees, law enforcement agencies, and the United States military, along with other transfers listed in the statute. The eligibility-check requirement begins July 1, 2027. As a result, the LA ordinance's ghost gun provisions, while still enforceable as an independent local enforcement mechanism, are now largely mirrored or exceeded by state law.

Large-Capacity Magazine Possession Ban

Los Angeles adopted a local large-capacity magazine possession ban in 2015. Ordinance 184767 added a provision that Section 46.30 would expire on July 1, 2017 unless the City Council extended it by ordinance. California Penal Code Section 32310 prohibits possession of large-capacity magazines, subject to statutory exceptions. Section 16740 generally defines these as ammunition feeding devices that can accept more than 10 rounds. The state ban has been challenged in Duncan v. Bonta.

Safe Storage Requirements

Los Angeles requires firearms in residences to be stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock when not in the immediate possession of the owner. This requirement is more broadly applicable than state law under Penal Code Section 25100, which focuses primarily on preventing access by children and prohibited persons.

State law update: Effective January 1, 2026, California's SB 53 ^[5] (Penal Code Section 25145) now requires all firearms owners statewide to securely store their firearms whenever the firearms are not being carried or readily controlled by the owner or another lawful authorized user. This universal state mandate covers all firearm types and applies in all residences. The state requirement is now at least as strict as Los Angeles's local ordinance, effectively superseding it. The LA ordinance remains on the books, but residents need only focus on complying with the state law to satisfy both requirements.

Dealer Regulations

The City of Los Angeles imposes additional requirements on licensed firearms dealers beyond state and federal licensing, including enhanced zoning restrictions that limit dealer locations relative to schools, parks, and residential areas. Dealers must also comply with enhanced security requirements including alarm systems, secure storage facilities, and video surveillance. These zoning restrictions have limited the number of operational dealers within city limits.

Enforcement

The LAPD's Gun Unit works in coordination with the California DOJ Bureau of Firearms and the ATF to enforce both local and state firearms laws. The findings in the city's 2021 ghost gun ordinance reported 813 ghost guns recovered in law enforcement encounters or investigations in 2020 and 1,270 from January through August 2021.