AB 1127: California's Convertible Pistol Ban (Effective July 1, 2026)

AB 1127, signed by Governor Newsom on October 10, 2025, prohibits the sale, transfer, and dealer delivery of "semiautomatic machinegun-convertible pistols" in California beginning July 1, 2026 ^[1].

Effective Date: July 1, 2026

AB 1127 takes effect on July 1, 2026. California residents who own a Glock-pattern or other striker-fired pistol with a cruciform trigger bar (defined in the bill as a "semiautomatic machinegun-convertible pistol") should review their plans before the effective date. The law restricts new dealer sales and transfers but does not ban possession of pistols already owned.

What the Law Bans

A "machinegun-convertible pistol" is defined as any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar that can be readily converted into a machinegun by the installation of a pistol converter -- a device that replaces the slide's backplate and interferes with the trigger mechanism to enable automatic fire ^[1]. In practice, this targets most Glock-pattern pistols and striker-fired clones that use a cruciform trigger bar design.

What Is Prohibited

Beginning July 1, 2026:

- Licensed dealers may not sell or transfer a machinegun-convertible pistol
- Manufacturers may not sell or transfer such pistols to dealers for retail sale
- Private party-to-private party transfers through a licensed dealer are exempt -- existing owners may sell a machinegun-convertible pistol through a PPT after July 1, 2026

Possession of existing pistols that qualify as "machinegun-convertible" is not banned. Current owners may continue to possess and use their firearms. The law only restricts new sales and transfers.

Important: possessing a machinegun-convertible pistol together with a pistol converter is a separate criminal offense. AB 1127 also enacted Penal Code Section 16880(d), which expands California's definition of "machinegun" to include any machinegun-convertible pistol that is "equipped with a pistol converter." Possession of a machinegun in California is a crime under Penal Code Section 33410, punishable as a wobbler (up to three years in county jail as a felony, or up to one year as a misdemeanor). If you own a Glock-pattern or other cruciform-trigger-bar pistol and you also own a pistol converter (sometimes marketed as an "auto switch"), you must not have both items together. Possession of the converter alone may also violate federal NFA law.

Exemptions

Law enforcement agencies, military, and certain government agencies are exempt. The law also does not apply to pistols that have been permanently modified so they can no longer accept a conversion device.

Compliance Steps Before July 1, 2026

If you want to purchase a machinegun-convertible pistol: Initiate your DROS at least 10 days before July 1, 2026 to allow the mandatory waiting period to run before the effective date. A DROS initiated within 10 days of July 1 may not result in delivery before the prohibition takes effect.

If you already own a machinegun-convertible pistol: No action is required. The law restricts dealer sales and transfers only. You may continue to possess, use, and carry (with applicable permits) your existing firearm indefinitely. You may also sell it through a private party transfer (PPT) conducted through a licensed dealer at any time, including after July 1, 2026.

If you are a dealer: Stop accepting new DROS applications for machinegun-convertible pistols at least 10 days before July 1, 2026. Inventory received at your business before January 1, 2026 may continue to be sold under Penal Code section 27595(c)(1); inventory received on or after January 1, 2026 is subject to the prohibition.

Legal Challenge: Jaymes v. Bonta

In October 2025, the NRA and other plaintiffs filed Jaymes v. Bonta in federal court challenging AB 1127 as a violation of the Second Amendment ^[2]. Plaintiffs argue that Glock-pattern pistols are "arms in common use" protected under District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022). On March 27, 2026, the court granted a joint motion to stay the proceedings. A pretrial conference had been set for November 13, 2026, but the stay suspends active litigation. No preliminary injunction has been issued, so the law is expected to take effect as scheduled on July 1, 2026.

Practical Impact

If you currently own a Glock or similar striker-fired pistol in California, you may continue to possess and use it. However, after July 1, 2026, you will not be able to purchase another one from a dealer unless the manufacturer redesigns the fire control system to eliminate the cruciform trigger bar. Some manufacturers may develop California-compliant variants, though none have been announced as of May 2026.