Source: https://www.womenslaw.org/laws/ca/state-gun-laws/all
Timestamp: 2020-07-10 09:33:28
Document Index: 24459703

Matched Legal Cases: ['§17', '§ 12021', '§ 12021', '§ 12021', '§ 12021', '§ 12021', '§ 12021', '§12021', '§12021', '§12021', '§12021', '§6389']

California State Gun Laws | WomensLaw.org
California State Gun Laws
Below is information about state gun laws in California. A restraining order or criminal conviction may make it illegal for an abuser to have a gun. However, in addition to these state-specific laws, there are also federal gun laws that could apply. To fully understand all of the legal protections available, it is important that you also read the Federal Gun Laws pages. Additionally, California also has a Gun Violence Restraining Order that can restricts an abuser’s access to guns in certain situations.
Throughout these gun law pages, we will refer to gun laws that make it illegal for someone convicted of a felony to have a gun. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor. Under CA law, a felony is a crime that is punishable by death or by imprisonment in the state prison or county jail for more than one year.1 However, you cannot always tell if someone was convicted of a felony only by looking at the amount of time s/he actually served in prison since sentences are often reduced or pled down. If you are unsure if the abuser was convicted of a felony, you might want to talk to the prosecutor who handled the criminal case against the abuser to find out or go to the courthouse and search the conviction records.
1 Ann.Cal.Penal Code §17(a)
If you file for and receive a DVRO, it should be clear to the abuser and to law enforcement that the abuser’s gun needs to be taken away. When you file for a DVRO, the abuser has to be notified. California state law says that on all forms that give notice to the abuser that a protective order has been requested or granted, it must include this language: “The respondent shall be ordered to relinquish possession or control of any firearms and not to purchase or receive or attempt to purchase or receive any firearms for a period not to exceed the duration of the restraining order.”1 Basically, this means that the abuser has to give up any guns that s/he has and s/he cannot buy or get any guns while you have an order against him/her.
Any person who has been convicted of a felony;1
Anyone who has been convicted of any offense involving the violent use of a firearm;2
Anyone who has been convicted of certain misdemeanors (including violation of a protective order) cannot have a gun within 10 years of the conviction.3
1 Cal. Penal Code § 12021(a)(1)
2 Cal. Penal Code § 12021(a)(2)-(b)
3 Cal. Penal Code § 12021(c)(1)
Maybe. The law says that in general, anyone who has been convicted of a felony or certain domestic violence crimes cannot have or buy a gun for any purpose, including his/her official duties.1
However, there is an exception for law enforcement officials whose jobs depend on their ability to use a gun. If the abuser is a law enforcement officer who has been convicted of stalking or certain domestic violence crimes (including violation of a protective order), s/he has a one-time chance to ask the court for permission to have a gun for work purposes. If the judge believes that s/he will use the gun safely and legally, the judge can allow him/her to have a gun.2 When deciding whether or not the abuser can keep his/her gun, the judge will consider the abuser’s continued employment (whether s/he is going to be able to keep his/her job without his/her gun) as well as any relevant evidence. If the judge allows him/her to have a gun, the judge has to require that the abuser agree to participate in counseling as deemed appropriate by the court.3
1 Cal.Penal Code § 12021(a)(1) & (c)(2)
2 Cal.Penal Code § 12021(c)(2)(A)
3 Cal.Penal Code § 12021(c)(2)(C)(ii)
A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our CA Advocates and Shelters page.
Under CA state law, anyone who has, buys, or tries to buy a gun while under a protective order is guilty of a public offense and can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000, jail/ prison time for up to 1 year, or both.1 The abuser might also be violating federal firearm laws as well, which carries separate penalties. See Federal Gun Laws for more information.
1 Ann.Cal.Penal Code §12021(g)(1)-(2)
In California, if the abuser is addicted to any narcotic drugs, s/he is not allowed to buy or have a gun.1 If this is your situation, please talk to a lawyer or advocate in your area about how this law is being enforced. You can find organizations near you under the Places that Help tab at the top of the page.
If this situation does not apply, you can still make a plan for your safety. See our Staying Safe page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. See our CA Advocates and Shelters page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.
For additional information on gun laws in California, you can go to the Giffords Law Center website.
1 Ann.Cal.Penal Code §12021(a)(1)
Yes - generally, the laws banning guns for people convicted of felonies, certain misdemeanors, and people who have protective orders against them apply to everyone, even those who use guns for their jobs.1 However, under California state law, if the abuser is a peace officer and can show that the firearm is necessary for continued employment and that the employer is unable to reassign him/her to another position where a firearm is unnecessary, the judge can make an exception and allow him/her to use a gun during work hours even though you have an DVRO against him/her.2
Also, if s/he can prove that s/he needs to carry a gun for his/her personal safety due to his/her job as a peace officer, the judge can allow him/her to continue to carry a firearm (either on duty or off duty) if the judge believes that the officer does not pose a threat of harm. Prior to making this decision, the judge has to order a psychological evaluation of the peace officer and may require the peace officer to enter into counseling or other treatment program to deal with his/her abusive behaviors.3
To find a domestic violence advocate in your area, please go to our CA Advocates and Shelters page.
1 Ann.Cal.Penal Code §12021(a)-(c)(1)
2 Ann.Cal.Penal Code §12021(c)(2)
3 Ann.Cal. Fam. Code §6389(h)
You can contact a local domestic violence organization in your area (see our CA Advocates and Shelters page)