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California has the strongest gun laws in the United States and has been a trailblazer for gun safety for the past 30 years.

The state was one of the first in the nation to enact an extreme risk protection order law (known as a gun violence restraining order in California). The state also has the most robust system in the country for removing firearms from people who become prohibited from having them. California has the seventh-lowest gun death rate in the country and the fifth-lowest crime gun export rate. To further strengthen its gun laws, California can increase funding to community violence prevention programs and address the ways some residents manage to skirt existing gun regulations.

What California Does Well

  • Universal background checks
  • Extreme risk protection orders
  • Domestic violence gun laws
  • Assault weapon and magazine restrictions
  • Waiting periods
  • Strong concealed carry law
  • Minimum age laws
  • Open carry regulations
  • Safe storage laws
  • Community violence intervention funding
  • Lost & stolen firearm reporting
  • Ghost gun ban
  • Gun dealer regulation
  • Local authority to regulate firearms
  • State firearm sale records retention
  • Gun violence research funding

RESOURCES

EXPLORE CALIFORNIA’S GUN LAWS

BACKGROUND CHECKS

Universal Background ChecksBackground Check ProceduresMental Health Reporting

WHO CAN HAVE A GUN

Firearm ProhibitionsDomestic Violence & FirearmsExtreme Risk Protection OrdersMinimum AgeFirearm Relinquishment

GUN SALES

Gun DealersMaintaining RecordsWaiting PeriodsGun Shows

OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES

LicensingRegistrationReporting Lost & Stolen Guns

CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY

Child Access PreventionSafe StorageSmart GunsDesign Safety StandardsNon-powder & Toy Guns

GUNS IN PUBLIC

Concealed CarryOpen CarryGuns in SchoolsGuns in VehiclesLocation RestrictionsStand Your Ground

HARDWARE & AMMUNITION

Assault WeaponsLarge Capacity MagazinesAmmunition RegulationMachine Guns50 Caliber RiflesGhost Guns

CRIME GUNS

Trafficking & Straw PurchasingBulk Gun PurchasesMicrostamping & Ballistics

OTHER LAWS & POLICIES

Gun Industry ImmunityPreemption of Local LawsState Right to Bear Arms

SUPPORT GUN SAFETY

We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.