Legislative updates, court decisions, and regulatory changes affecting California firearms law.
Assembly Bill 1810 would make technical, nonsubstantive amendments to existing provisions regarding the centralized list of firearms dealers already maintained by the California Department of Justice.
Assembly Bill 458 would impose restrictions on state and local government contracts with companies that manufacture or sell firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.
Senate Bill 948 would amend California's Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) requirements. The bill passed the Senate Public Safety Committee (5-1) as amended and has been re-referred to Appropriations.
Assembly Bill 1743 would amend Penal Code section 11108.3 to require the California DOJ to share firearm trace data and inspection information with local governments, community colleges, CSU, and UC campuses for academic and policy research purposes.
Assembly Bill 1615 would amend California's Unsafe Handgun Act requirements. The bill passed the Public Safety Committee unanimously (9-0) with a consent calendar recommendation and has been re-referred to the Appropriations Committee.
Assembly Bill 1589 would add a narrow exception to California's silencer ban, allowing Level I reserve peace officers to possess silencers while on duty when authorized by their employing agency. The bill does not legalize civilian silencer ownership.
Assembly Bill 1344, now Chapter 573 of the Statutes of 2025, authorizes a pilot program in four specific counties — Alameda, El Dorado, Santa Clara, and Ventura — allowing district attorneys to petition for Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) using the existing GVRO framework.
Assembly Bill 584, now Chapter 40 of the Statutes of 2025, establishes new requirements for secure facilities at firearms dealerships and manufacturing operations in California.
Assembly Bill 383, now Chapter 362 of the Statutes of 2025, strengthens enforcement of California's existing prohibition on minors possessing firearms by extending firearm relinquishment procedures to juveniles adjudicated as wards, granting search warrant authority for non-compliance, and imposing infraction penalties for failure to file relinquishment forms.
Assembly bill that would create a self-defense exception to the California Endangered Species Act's prohibition on taking protected species.
On January 2, 2026, a Ninth Circuit panel struck down California's ban on open carry in counties with populations exceeding 200,000. The en banc petition is pending and the mandate is tolled. All open carry laws remain enforceable.
Duncan v. Bonta is the lead challenge to California's ban on large-capacity magazines (more than 10 rounds). The case has produced multiple rulings by Judge Benitez, two en banc hearings, a SCOTUS GVR after Bruen, and Freedom Week. It remains pending on remand.