California Legal Guns

How California Gun Laws Affect Your Purchase

California has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the country, and they change frequently. The good news: plenty of excellent firearms are still legal to buy and own in California. The key is knowing which rules apply to which types of firearms. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of the major requirements that affect most buyers.

Handguns: The California Roster

California maintains a “Handgun Roster” — an approved list of handgun models that have passed state-mandated safety testing and are legal for retail sale. If a handgun isn’t on the Roster, a California dealer cannot sell it to you as a new firearm. The Roster has shrunk significantly over the years as manufacturers have been unable or unwilling to recertify models under updated microstamping requirements.

What this means practically: many of the most popular handguns in America — including recent Glock, Sig Sauer, and Smith & Wesson models — are not available for standard retail sale in California. Roster-compliant handguns include older certified models that have maintained their listing. Every handgun in this category is Roster-compliant and legal for standard retail purchase in California.

Rifles: Assault Weapon Laws and Fixed Magazines

California’s assault weapon restrictions prohibit semi-automatic centerfire rifles with detachable magazines that also have any of the following features: pistol grip, thumbhole stock, folding or telescoping stock, grenade or flare launcher, flash suppressor, or forward pistol grip. The most common compliance solution is a fixed magazine — a magazine that cannot be removed without disassembling the action. California-legal AR-15s and AK-pattern rifles typically use a bullet button or similar device to create a fixed magazine configuration.

Featureless rifles are another option — a standard detachable magazine is permitted if the rifle has none of the prohibited features (no pistol grip, no thumbhole stock, no flash suppressor, etc.). Many buyers find featureless configurations with fin grips or similar compliant furniture to be a practical solution.

Magazine Capacity

California prohibits the sale and transfer of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. All magazines shipped to California buyers must be 10-round capacity or less. This applies to both handgun and rifle magazines.

The Transfer Process

All firearms purchased online must be transferred through a California-licensed FFL dealer. California also requires a 10-day waiting period on all firearm transfers regardless of whether the buyer holds a CCW permit. Your local FFL will handle the transfer paperwork, DROS (Dealer Record of Sale) submission, and background check. Budget approximately $35–$75 for transfer fees depending on your dealer.

What to Look For When Buying

• Handguns must be on the current California Handgun Roster — all handguns in this category qualify.
• Semi-automatic rifles must be either featureless or fixed-magazine configuration.
• Magazines must be 10 rounds or less — we ship California-compliant magazines only to CA addresses.
• California law changes regularly — when in doubt, call us before ordering and we’ll confirm current compliance.

We’ve been navigating state-specific compliance since 1992 and we’re one of the more experienced online retailers when it comes to California orders. If you have questions about whether a specific firearm ships to your state, call us at 800-917-7137 or use our live chat before ordering.