California Code of Regulations › Title 11 - Law › Division 5 - Firearms Regulations › Chapter 41 - Unique Serial Number Applications › Article 3 - Engraving or Permanently Placing the Unique Serial Number and Uploading Digital Images of Firearms or Firearm Precursor Parts › Section 5520 - Procedures to Engrave or Permanently Place the Unique Serial Number on the Firearm or Firearm Precursor Part

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
Once the Department issues a unique serial number it shall be
					 applied to the firearm or firearm precursor part as follows:
(a) Upon receiving a Department-issued unique
				  serial number, the applicant may contact a Federal Firearms Licensed Manufacturer
				  (type 07) or Importer (type 08) to have the unique serial number applied to the
				  firearm or firearm precursor part in a manner consistent with this section and
				  federal law. However, a Federal Firearms Licensee is under no obligation to perform
				  this work. The applicant may also use an unlicensed party to apply the unique serial
				  number and other required markings to the firearm or firearm precursor part;
				  however, the unlicensed party must not be prohibited under either state or federal
				  law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm and the owner of the
				  firearm or firearm precursor part shall not leave it unattended with the unlicensed
				  party. Finally, the applicant may personally apply the unique serial number to the
				  firearm or firearm precursor part if the applicant complies with the requirements
				  set out below in subdivision (b) of this section.
(b) The applicant shall legibly and uniquely mark
				  and identify each firearm or firearm precursor part as follows:
(1) The unique serial number shall be engraved,
				  cast, stamped (impressed), or otherwise permanently placed in a conspicuous location
				  on the firearm precursor part or frame or receiver of the firearm. The unique serial
				  number shall be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated,
				  altered, or removed, and shall not duplicate any serial number placed by the
				  unlicensed manufacturer on any other firearm or firearm precursor part. The
				  engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of the serial number shall be to a
				  minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print no smaller than 
				  1/16 inch;
				  and
(2) For completed frames or
				  receivers, certain additional information shall be engraved, cast, stamped
				  (impressed), or otherwise permanently placed on the frame or receiver. This
				  information shall be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily
				  obliterated, altered, or removed. The additional information shall include:
(A) The model of the firearm, if such designation
				  has been made;
(B) The manufacturer's
				  first and last name as provided to the Department for recording purposes, when
				  applicable; and
(C) The city and state
				  (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where the manufacturer made the
				  firearm.
(3) For functional
				  firearms, certain additional information shall be engraved, cast, stamped
				  (impressed), or otherwise permanently placed on the frame or receiver of the
				  firearm. The additional information shall include:
(A) The model of the firearm, if such designation
				  has been made;
(B) The caliber or gauge
				  of the firearm;
(C) The manufacturer's
				  first and last name as provided to the Department for recording purposes, when
				  applicable; and
(D) The city and state
				  (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where the manufacturer made the
				  firearm.