Legal In California: What Makes A Gun CA Compliant?

What Are California-Compliant Guns?

California-compliant guns are any firearms that meet the state’s comprehensive standards for legal ownership and sale. These rules affect everything from magazine capacity and safety features to specific design elements such as grips, stocks, and detachable magazines.

A firearm is considered “California-compliant” only if it avoids prohibited features, adheres to magazine limits, and, in the case of handguns, appears on the California Department of Justice roster of certified handguns (more on this later). Put simply, these are models that manufacturers or dealers have confirmed can be legally purchased and owned in California.

Who Can Legally Purchase Guns In California?

California residents may purchase firearms as long as they are of proper legal age and are not a prohibited possessor. In the state of California, the minimum age to purchase a long gun is 18 and the minimum age to purchase a handgun is 21.

All modern firearms (excluding C&R-eligible firearms) are subject to a 10-day waiting period. Moreover, all sales (including private sales) must go through an FFL dealer. These limits help ensure careful and lawful ownership of firearms in the state.

Restrictions

California has implemented legislation that imposes additional restrictions on the purchase of semi-automatic centerfire rifles and semi-automatic handguns. Individuals aged 18-20:

  • Must provide a valid hunting license or military I.D. (honorably discharged or reserve unit) to purchase a long gun that is not a semi-auto centerfire rifle.
  • Must provide a valid hunting license to purchase a long gun that is a semi-auto centerfire rifle (law enforcement exempt).
  • May only purchase one semi-auto centerfire rifle in a given 30-day period (law enforcement exempt).

Additionally, individuals 21+ may only purchase one semi-auto centerfire rifle OR one semi-auto handgun in a given 30-day period (C&R holders and law enforcement exempt).

C&R-eligible long guns may ship directly to C&R holders who also possess a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE). All handguns must ship to an FFL, regardless of C&R eligibility.

Requirements For California-Compliant Guns

In addition to the restrictions detailed above, California also limits which firearms are available for purchase and prohibits certain features altogether. A California Compliant firearm is any long gun or handgun that is configured to satisfy the requirements set forth by the California Department of Justice.

For handguns in particular, being on the DOJ’s roster of Handguns Certified for Sale is the single most important factor in determining if a handgun is legal to buy in California.

CA-Compliant Rifles

Any rimfire rifle with a magazine capacity of 10 or fewer rounds is legal to own in California. This includes rifles chambered in .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, etc. Additionally, ever action rifles with tubular magazines are permitted to hold more than 10 rounds and all rimfire rifles can have features that are prohibited on centerfire rifles, as rimfire rifles are not considered "assault weapons" under California law.

This Ruger 10/22 Carbine comes with a 10-round magazine and complies with CA law:

Ruger 10/22 Carbine Semi-Automatic .22 LR Rifle, 18.5" Barrel, 1:16 Twist, 10+1 Capacity, Black Polymer Stock, Cross Bolt Safety - 31210
Ruger 10/22 Carbine Semi-Automatic .22 LR Rifle, 18.5" Barrel, 1:16 Twist, 10+1 Capacity, Black Polymer Stock, Cross Bolt Safety - 31210
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To be considered legal in California, centerfire rifles must not have any of the following features:

  • A fixed magazine with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds.
  • An overall length of less than 30" (measured with the stock fully collapsed or folded, if applicable).
  • A removable magazine AND any of the following features: pistol grips, thumbhole stocks, folding or telescoping stocks, grenade / flare launchers, flash hiders, foregrips.

Regarding AR-style rifles, there are two primary compliance options:

  • Featureless rifles that avoid certain prohibited features, such as pistol grips or collapsible stocks.
  • Fixed magazine or mag-lock rifles which retain standard AR features, but limit the magazine capacity to 10 rounds.

Both configurations are legal in California, and the choice largely depends on handling preferences, comfort, and ease of magazine changes. Finned pistol grips are a common option for featureless rifles because they prevent a full wrap-around hold, keeping the rifle compliant. Stripped AR lowers are permitted, but complete lowers must adhere to all the restrictions outlined above.

This M&P15 Sport III features a fixed magazine and is configured to meet California regulations:

Smith & Wesson 13955 M&P15 Sport III *CA Compliant 10+1 16"
Smith & Wesson 13955 M&P15 Sport III *CA Compliant 10+1 16"
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Moreover, California expressly prohibits civilians from owning rifles chambered in .50 BMG. Los Angeles and San Francisco have enacted separate bans covering all .50 Cal rifles.

CA-Compliant Shotguns

California's shotgun laws are a bit more straightforward. There are no gauge restrictions to worry about, but there are several prohibited features to be aware of (particularly with semi-auto shotguns). To be considered legal in California, shotguns must not have any of the following features:

  • The ability to accept detachable magazines (semi-auto shotguns only).
  • Pistol grips without a fixed stock (semi-auto shotguns only).
  • A folding / telescopic stock AND a pistol grip, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip (semi-auto shotguns only).
  • Revolving cylinders.
  • Multiple tubular magazines in which the combined capacity exceeds 10 rounds AND which can be fired without either manipulating the magazine selector switch OR which allow the shooter to alternate firing from more than one magazine tube without manually switching the magzine tube feeding process.

Shotguns featuring multiple tubular magazines (each with a capacity of 10 or fewer rounds) which must be manually selected by the shooter are permitted. For instance, the Kel-Tec KSG is California Compliant.

KEL KSG410GRN 410 Gauge, 18.5 barrel, Dual Tube 5+5 Capacity, Pump Shotgun, Fiber Optic Sights, OD Green
KEL KSG410GRN 410 Gauge, 18.5 barrel, Dual Tube 5+5 Capacity, Pump Shotgun, Fiber Optic Sights, OD Green
$399 99 $469.99

CA-Compliant Handguns

With a few exceptions, only handguns that are listed on the Department of Justice's roster of Handguns Certified For Sale may be purchased in California. Each model submitted for the roster must pass a series of evaluations, including drop tests, firing tests, and verification of required safety features such as loaded chamber indicators, magazine disconnects, and, for newer models, microstamping capabilities.

Certain older models may be exempt from these requirements, but most modern handguns must meet the DOJ's established criteria to be considered for the roster.

The following handguns are not subject to the roster requirement:

  • Models listed under the Olympic Pistols Exemptions.
  • Single action revolvers which require the hammer to be manually cocked before each shot (must have a barrel length of at least 3" and an overall length of at least 7.5" with a capacity of 5 or more rounds).
  • Single shot top-break or bolt action pistols with a barrel length of at least 6" and an overall length of at least 10.5". 
  • C&R handguns which do not have any of the prohibited features listed below.

California expressly prohibits the purchase or possession of the following:

  • Handguns with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds.
  • Semi-auto pistols with a removable magazine AND any of the following: threaded barrels, secondary handgrips, or barrel shrouds (not including slides that enclose the barrel).
  • Mares Leg pistols.
  • Handguns that are not immediately recognizable as a firearm (ex. Trailblazer LifeCard).

Los Angeles and San Francisco have banned any "ultra-compact" handguns, which feature an overall length of 6.75" or less OR an overall height of 4.5" (with the magazine removed).

The Sig P226 Extreme fits all of these requirements in California:

Sig 226R9XTMBLKG P226 Extreme *CA Compliant* DA/SA 9mm 4.4" 10+1 Black/Gray G10 Grip Black
Sig 226R9XTMBLKG P226 Extreme *CA Compliant* DA/SA 9mm 4.4" 10+1 Black/Gray G10 Grip Black
$1199 99

Why Are Some Guns Not Available In California?

Not every firearm sold elsewhere is available as a California-compliant gun. For example, a manufacturer may choose not to submit a specific model of handgun to be approved for the DOJ's roster due to the considerable time investment and financial cost inherent in the testing process.

As a result, some newer or more popular models may not appear on California-compliant lists, even if they are otherwise widely available in other states.

How To Ensure Your Guns Are CA-Compliant

When shopping for California compliant guns, a little preparation can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth and legal purchase.

  • Check the DOGJ roster before your purchase. Make sure any handgun you plan to buy is listed as California Compliant.
  • Confirm magazine capacity limits.  Ensure your firearm does not exceed the 10-round limit for handguns or long guns.
  • Verify featureless or fixed-magazine status for AR-style rifles. Confirm whether your AR-15 complies with California regulations.
  • Ensure semi-auto shotguns do not have features prohibited under CA law. Review all applicable rules regarding stocks, pistol grips, and detachable magazines to confirm your shotgun is compliant.
  • Ask your dealer if modifications are needed. Some firearms may require adjustments to remain fully compliant with state law.

Though they may slow down the buying process, these limits and requirements help promote careful, lawful ownership of firearms in California, keeping your experience safe and responsible.

Legal Guns In California? Look No Further

California has a lot of gun laws, and they're constantly changing. Use this guide to take some of the guess work out of your purchase and find a California-compliant firearm today!