California Assault Weapon Defined
According to California law, assault weapon can mean:
Version One Rifle
(1) A semiautomatic firearm, centerfire rifle that does NOT have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:
- (A) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
- (B) A thumbhole stock.
- (C) A folding or telescoping stock.
- (D) A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
- (E) A flash suppressor.
- (F) A forward pistol grip.
All Californians must go through a FFL transfer for all regulated firearm / firearm components.
Definition:
- A magazine that is not fixed is a magazine that you can easily removed without disassembling the firearm.
- (A) this is similar to a grip on a regular gun.
- (B) “Thumbhole stock” means a stock with a hole that allows the thumb of the trigger hand to penetrate into or through the stock while firing.
- (C) A telescoping stock (alternatively collapsing stock) is a stock on a firearm that telescopes or folds in on itself in order to become more compact.
- (D) This is self explanatory
- (E) Any device that minimizes the flash of the firearm.
- (F) A vertical forward grip or foregrip is a vertical pistol grip mounted on the fore-end of a long-barrel firearm, designed for grasping by the frontal support hand (or “off hand”).
Version Two Rifle
(2) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
Definition:
You are only allowed to have 10 round magazine (rifle/gun) in State of California. Any more, you are breaking the law.
Version Three Rifle
(3) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
Explanation:
The measurement is from the beginning of the butt stock to the end of the firearm. If it is less than 30 inches, with a buttstock, and it is a semi-automatic weapon, then it is considered as an assault weapon.
Version one PISTOL
(1) A semiautomatic PISTOL that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:
- (A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
- (B) A second handgrip.
(C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer’s hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
(D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
Explanation:
(1) You can easily remove the magazine without disassembling the weapon.
- (A) There’s a thread at the tip of the rifle which allows components to be added to the rifle.
- (B) This is the forward or fore grip that is mounted on the barrel cover.
(C) A barrel shroud is an external covering that envelops (either partially or full-length) the barrel of a firearm, to prevent unwanted direct contact with the barrel
Version Two PISTOL
(2) A semiautomatic PISTOL with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
Explanation:
(2) You are only allowed to have 10 round magazine (rifle/gun) in State of California. Any more, you are breaking the law.
Version One Shotgun
(1) A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:
- (A) A folding or telescoping stock.
- (B) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip.
Explanation:
(A) Telescoping stock (alternatively collapsing stock) is a stock on a firearm that telescopes or folds in on itself in order to become more compact.
(B) This is similar to a grip on a regular gun.
Version Two Shotgun
(2) A semiautomatic shotgun that does not have a fixed magazine.
Explanation:
The magazine is easily removed and reloaded. Same explanation as rifles/pistols.
Version Three Shotgun
(3) Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
Version one of Not a PISTOL, Rifle, or Shotgun:
(1) A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that does not have a fixed magazine, but that has any one of the following:
(A) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
(B) A thumbhole stock.
(C) A folding or telescoping stock.
(D) A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
(E) A flash suppressor.
(F) A forward pistol grip.
(G) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
(H) A second handgrip.
(I) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer’s hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
(J) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
Explanation:
This is a weapon that does not fit any definition of a pistol, rifle, or shotgun. If your weapon doesn’t fit in any of the three category, then it it fits in this version of assault weapon.
(A) through (J) see above
All regulated guns, rifles, and “all other weapons” must go through a California Firearms dealer.
Version Two of Not a PISTOL, Rifle, or Shotgun:
(2) A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
Explanation:
Same as above except this version mentions a magazine that accepts over the allowed 10 rounds.
California law prohibits a gun or a rifle to accept anything over 10 rounds.
Version Three of Not a PISTOL, Rifle, or Shotgun:
(3) A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
(b) For purposes of this section, “fixed magazine” means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.
In the State of California, any firearm must go through a FFL Dealers that is approved by the State with other certifications and requirements.