2023 California Code › Penal Code - PEN › PART 6 - CONTROL OF DEADLY WEAPONS › TITLE 4 - FIREARMS › DIVISION 5 - CARRYING FIREARMS › CHAPTER 4 - License to Carry A Pistol, Revolver, or Other Firearm Capable of Being Concealed Upon the Person › Section 26185.

26185. (a) (1) Upon issuance of the notice described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 26202, the licensing authority shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice for each applicant applying for a new license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105. The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal response to the licensing authority, pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(2) Upon receipt of the fingerprints of an applicant for a new license, as well as the fee as prescribed in Section 26190, the department shall promptly furnish the forwarding licensing authority information as to whether the person is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm. The department shall make this determination in a manner to be prescribed through regulations. If the department is unable to ascertain the final disposition of an arrest or criminal charge, the outcome of the mental health treatment or evaluation, or the applicant’s eligibility to possess, receive, own, or purchase a firearm, the department shall notify the forwarding licensing authority. For each applicant for a new license, the department shall also promptly furnish the forwarding licensing authority a criminal history report pertaining to the applicant.
(3) No new license shall be issued by any licensing authority unless the report described in paragraph (2) confirms the applicant’s eligibility to possess, receive, own, or purchase a firearm.
(b) (1) For each applicant for a renewal license, upon issuance of the notice described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 26202, the licensing authority shall submit to the department the renewal notification described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 26202, in a manner and format prescribed by the department.
(2) For each renewal notification submitted to the department in accordance with paragraph (1) on or after September 1, 2026, the licensing authority shall also submit to the department fingerprint images and related information required by the department for each applicant applying for a renewal license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105. The department shall then provide a state or federal response to the licensing authority, pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 11105.
(c) (1) For each applicant for a renewal license, upon receipt by the department of the renewal notification as prescribed in subdivision (b), as well as the fee as prescribed in Section 26190, the department shall determine whether the applicant is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.
(2) For each applicant for a renewal license whose renewal notification is submitted to the department prior to September 1, 2026, the department shall determine whether the applicant is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm and notify the forwarding licensing agency in a manner to be prescribed through regulations.
(3) For each applicant for a renewal license whose renewal notification is submitted to the department on or after September 1, 2026, upon receipt of the applicant’s fingerprints, the department shall promptly furnish the forwarding licensing authority information as to whether the person is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm. The department shall make this determination in a manner to be prescribed through regulations. If the department is unable to ascertain the final disposition of an arrest or criminal charge, the outcome of the mental health treatment or evaluation, or the applicant’s eligibility to possess, receive, own, or purchase a firearm, the department shall notify the forwarding licensing authority. For each applicant for a renewal license, the department shall also promptly furnish the forwarding licensing authority a criminal history report pertaining to the applicant.
(d) For any renewal license applicant referred to the department prior to the effective date of the act that added this subdivision, the department may use any method authorized through regulations implementing this section to determine if the applicant is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.
(e) As used in this section, “licensing authority” means a sheriff of a county, or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 249, Sec. 16. (SB 2) Effective January 1, 2024.)