California Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for California Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact California gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to California can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

California State Constitution

The California Constitution provides for "inalienable rights" including "defending life and liberty ... and protecting property..." as follows:

All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.

California Constitutional Provision Article 1. Declaration of Rights, Section 1

Furthermore, the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has been properly defined as an individual right in the Heller and McDonald U.S. Supreme Court cases, therefore Article III, Section 1 of the California Constitution would apply the Second Amendment to the State Laws of California:

The State of California is an inseparable part of the United States of America, and the United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

California Constitutional Provision Article 3, State of California, Section 1

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

(a) The people have the right to instruct their representatives, petition government for redress of grievances, and assemble freely to consult for the common good.

California Constitutional Provision Article 1. Declaration of Rights, Section 3

All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and they have the right to alter or reform it when the public good may require.

California Constitutional Provision Article 2. Voting, Initiative and Referendum, and Recall, Section 1

California Gun Laws

California Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
California Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
California Concealed Carry Permits (California issues concealed carry permits by county, to find out more information contact your county's sheriff's office.)
California Attorney General Frequently Asked Questions - Firearms (Source: California Attorney General)

California Hunting Rules & Regulations

Hunting Overview (Source: California DFW)
Hunting Licenses & Fees (Source: California DFW)
Online License Sales and Service (Source: California DFW)
California Hunter Education (Source: California DFW)

California Shooting Ranges

Public Lands Available for Hunting and Shooting (Source: US Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

California Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

California NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

California NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
California "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

California State Firearm & Hunting Associations

California Rifle & Pistol Association (NRA-Affiliated)
Gun Owners of California
The CalGuns Foundation
California Open Carry/Right to Carry
Los Angeles Chapter Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
Sacramento Chapter Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
San Diego Chapter Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
California Ducks Unlimited Chapter
California Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
California Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
California NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
California Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

California Gun Shows and FFLs

California Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
California Gun Shows (Source: GunShowTrader.com)
California FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

California's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

California Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of California Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

California Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

California State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
California State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
California Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
California Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

California State Business Tax Climate Rankings

California State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in California (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

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