What guns are banned in California?

What Guns are Banned in California?

California has some of the strictest gun control laws in the United States, with numerous firearms prohibited from being owned, possessed, or purchased within the state. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the firearms banned in California, covering both federal and state regulations.

Federal Regulations

The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended, regulates the sale and possession of firearms across the United States, including California. Some federally prohibited firearms include:

• Fully Automatic Firearms: Machine guns, including AK-47s, Uzis, and MAC-10s, are heavily regulated and often require a federal license to own or transfer.
• Short-Barreled Shotguns: Shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches are considered short-barreled and require a special license to own or transfer.
• Silencers: Devices designed to muffle the noise of a firearm are strictly regulated and often require a federal tax stamp to own or transfer.

State Regulations

In addition to federal regulations, California has its own set of gun control laws that prohibit the ownership, possession, or purchase of various firearms. Some notable examples include:

• Assault Weapons: California has banned the possession and sale of assault weapons, which are defined as semi-automatic firearms that have one or more of the following features:

  • A pistol grip
  • A folding or telescoping stock
  • A thumbhole stock
  • A protruding pistol grip
  • A barrel shroud
  • A muzzle brake

• Large-Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices: California has banned the possession and sale of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, which are defined as:

  • Magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds
  • Ammunition belts, drum magazines, and feeding devices capable of accommodating more than 10 rounds

• Certain Semi-Automatic Rifles: California has banned the possession and sale of certain semi-automatic rifles, including those with folding or telescoping stocks and those with barrels less than 16 inches.
• High-Capacity Magazines: California has banned the possession and sale of high-capacity magazines, which are defined as:

  • Magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds for pistols
  • Magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds for rifles

• Certain Shotguns: California has banned the possession and sale of certain shotguns, including those with barrels less than 28 inches.

Specific Makes and Models

In addition to these general categories, California has banned specific makes and models of firearms due to their design or appearance. Some examples include:

• The Ruger Mini-14: California banned the Ruger Mini-14 in 2000 due to its modular design, which allows it to be easily converted to fully automatic.
• The Steyr AUG: California banned the Steyr AUG in 2001 due to its select-fire capabilities, which allowed it to fire fully automatically.
• The Kel-Tec SUB-2000: California banned the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 in 2011 due to its pistol grip and telescoping stock, which were deemed assault weapon features.

Consequences for Violating Gun Laws

California takes strict enforcement of its gun laws very seriously. Penalties for violating gun laws can be severe and may include:

• Misdemeanor charges: Possession of a banned firearm or magazine can result in misdemeanor charges, which can lead to fines and up to one year in jail.
• Felony charges: Manufacture, distribution, or sale of a banned firearm or magazine can result in felony charges, which can lead to fines and up to 10 years in prison.
• Seizure and confiscation of firearms: Law enforcement agencies may seize and confiscate firearms or magazines that violate California’s gun laws.

Conclusion

California’s gun laws are designed to ensure public safety and reduce gun violence. By banning certain types of firearms, magazines, and features, the state aims to prevent the proliferation of illegal and dangerous weapons. Individuals who violate these laws risk severe penalties and should ensure they are familiar with California’s gun control regulations.

Table: California Banned Firearms

Table: California Banned Magazines

Note: This article is not a comprehensive list of all firearms banned in California, and individuals should consult California laws and regulations for the most up-to-date information.