Notices
Public legal notices and court announcements
Regulatory Gun Safe Standards
Regulatory Gun Safe Standards | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Regulatory Gun Safe Standards Home Firearms Firearm Safety Devices Regulatory Gun Safe Standards An acceptable gun safe is either one the following: A gun safe that meets all of the following standards: Shall be able to fully contain firearms and provide for their secure storage. Shall have a locking system consisting of at minimum a mechanical or electronic combination lock. The mechanical or electronic combination lock utilized by the safe shall have at least 10,000 possible combinations consisting of a minimum three numbers, letters, or symbols. The lock shall be protected by a case hardened (Rc 60+) drill resistant steel plate, or drill resistant material of equivalent strength. Boltwork shall consist of a minimum of three steel locking bolts of at least 1/2-inch thickness that intrude from the door of the safe into the body of the safe or from the body of the safe into the door of the safe, which are operated by a separate handle and secured by the lock. A gun safe shall be capable of repeated use. The exterior walls shall be constructed of a minimum 12-gauge thick steel for a single walled safe, or the sum of the steel walls shall add up to at least 0.100 inches for safes with two walls. Doors shall be constructed of a minimum one layer of 7-gauge steel plate reinforced construction or at least two layers of a minimum 12-gauge steel compound construction. Door hinges shall be protected to prevent the removal of the door. Protective features include, but are not limited to: hinges not exposed to the outside, interlocking door designs, dead bars, jeweler's lugs and active or inactive locking bolts. A gun safe that is able to fully contain firearms and provide for their secure storage, and is certified to/listed as meeting Underwriters Laboratories Residential Security Container rating standards by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
Proposition 65 Enforcement Reporting
Proposition 65 | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Proposition 65 Home Environment & Public Health Proposition 65 The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 ("Proposition 65") is an initiative statute that protects public health by reducing exposures to toxic chemicals in two principal ways. First, it outlaws discharges of certain toxic chemicals into sources of drinking water. Second, it requires businesses to provide clear and reasonable warnings prior to exposing persons to certain toxic chemicals. The Attorney General’s Prop 65 Enforcement Actions Are Protecting Vulnerable Populations And Minorities The Attorney General is the State’s principal public prosecutor of Proposition 65. Through its enforcement of the second, "right-to-know" prong of Proposition 65, the Attorney General’s Office has a history of compelling companies to remove or to reduce the harmful chemicals in their products and in their air and water emissions as an alternative to providing warnings. The Attorney General is often joined by District Attorneys, City Attorneys and private enforcers in brining Proposition 65 actions." The Attorney General’s Office has a longstanding focus on products that impact vulnerable populations, such as children, and minorities. In addition, the Attorney General strives for comprehensive investigations and enforcement that address systemic violations across an industry or product area, as in the examples below. Lead in Mexican Candy Imported Mexican candy products, which had become highly popular throughout California, contained high levels of lead, resulting in elevated blood lead levels in some children. The Attorney General sued thirty-four Mexican style candy companies, and arranged to have an independent food quality auditor inspect these companies’ facilities in Mexico. The auditor found that the culprit was the unwashed chilis used for the chili powder ingredient, and he devised a set of good manufacturing practices (GMPs), which included using washed chili, careful sourcing of other ingredients, and routine facility inspections to remove sources of lead. All of the defendants signed a settlement agreement which required them to retain an independent food processing auditor (approved by Attorney General), implement the GMPs, stop buying unwashed chilis, and achieve lead levels below 100 ppb. The settlement resulted in an across-the-board reduction of lead levels in Mexican style candy products. Lead in Children’s’ Jewelry After receiving 60-day notices from three private enforcers alleging exposures to lead in jewelry, the Attorney General’s Office initiated an investigation. The investigation revealed that lead occurred primarily in jewelry components made out of plastic and plated metal, including jewelry intended for young children. The Attorney General sued approximately 30 companies that sell jewelry, and later sued some of their suppliers that manufacture the jewelry, for violations of Proposition 65 and the Unfair Competition Law. After a yearlong negotiation, defendants agreed upon comprehensive lead standards for jewelry. The standards are stricter for children’s jewelry. California subsequently passed a law that applies the lead standards to all jewelry sold in California. (HSC §§ 25214.1 et seq.) Brazilian Blowout Brazilian Blowout advertised its product as "Formaldehyde Free." In fact, the Attorney General’s testing showed that it contained liquid formaldehyde (methylene glycol) at levels ranging to from 6% to 10%, and stylists and their customers were exposed to formaldehyde gas (which is a listed as a carcinogen under Proposition 65) when the product was applied. The Attorney General’s settlement required Brazilian Blowout to stop its "formaldehyde free" advertising, provide truthful warnings on its products ("this product releases formaldehyde gas when used as directed") and reduce the formaldehyde levels in the products. Ginger Candy Crystalized ginger candies (popular with pregnant women) had lead levels in excess of 100 ppb, ranging up to 700 ppb. The Attorney General sued the main retailers and manufacturers, and the settlement required these companies to reduce the lead levels to 40 ppb and to hire food quality auditors to implement protocols to reduce the lead content in the candies to the lowest feasible levels. Lead in Artificial Turf Many popular brands of artificial turf had high lead levels of lead (3,000 to 17,000 ppm). The Attorney General’s experts determined that younger children who played on the turf were exposed to lead in excess of the Proposition 65 warning level from hand-to-mouth contact. As a result of the Attorney General’s suit, the main manufacturers of artificial turf (AstroTurf, Field Turf, and Beaulieu) agreed to reduce the lead content to 50 ppm or lower. Lead in Mexican Soda Mexican Coke, Pepsi, Crush and Squirt products were popular in California because they were sweetened with sugar rather than corn syrup. They were sold in returnable bottles which require applied ceramic labels strong enough to withstand repeated washings. These labels had high lead content. Consumers were exposed to the lead by hand-to-mouth contact and when the lead found its way into the bottles during the washing process. As a result of the Attorney General’s Proposition 65 action, all three companies immediately switched to lead fee coatings, phased out all leaded bottles throughout Mexico and retained food quality auditors to ensure there were no additional sources of lead contamination in their facilities. Attorney General Review Of Private Actions Proposition 65 also contains a private enforcement mechanism. Individuals and organizations, such as environmental groups, can sue to correct alleged violations. The Attorney General reviews private actions and settlements, and may even intervene when the private enforcement does not appear to be in the public interest. The Attorney General publishes regulations which provide guidance to plaintiffs and defendants and describe the submission and review process. The Attorney General’s Office maintains an on-line database of Proposition 65 Enforcement Reporting. The database includes information on private party actions and settlements. Proposition 65 Enforcement Reporting
Information on the Law Enforcement Release Program
Information on the Law Enforcement Release Program | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Information on the Law Enforcement Release Program Home Firearms Information on the Law Enforcement Release Program Attention Beginning December 1, 2021, applicants must electronically submit a Law Enforcement Release (LER) application for the return of firearm(s), ammunition, and/or ammunition feeding device(s) via the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS). Applicants that do not already have a CFARS account will be required to create an account in order to directly communicate with the Department and to check the status of an application. The Department will no longer accept paper LER application (BOF 119) submissions. Paper applications received via US mail, UPS, FedEx., etc., postmarked after November 30, 2021, will be returned unprocessed with instructions on how to submit the application via CFARS. For more information about CFARS, please visit the Firearms Reporting & Law Enforcement Release Application webpage. The Law Enforcement Release process requires any person who claims title to any firearm, ammunition or ammunition feeding device that is in the custody or control of a court or law enforcement agency and who wishes to have the aforementioned items returned, to submit a LER Application form to the California Department of Justice (the Department) to determine eligibility to possess a firearm, ammunition and/or ammunition feeding device. (Penal Code section 33850) LER Application Submission Process Individuals seeking the return of a firearm, ammunition and/or ammunition feeding device that is in the custody or control of a court or law enforcement agency must submit a LER Application along with the appropriate fees to the Department. Additionally, if an individual is seeking the return of a long gun purchased prior to January 1, 2014 which has not been subsequently recorded in their name by either a self reporting application, or registered as an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle, should submit a Firearms Ownership Report application (BOF 4542A), pdf , along with the appropriate fees. An eligibility check will be conducted to determine if the applicant is lawfully eligible to possess firearms, ammunition and/or ammunition feeding devices. A notice of the results will be sent to the applicant via U.S. mail. The notice must be presented to the court or law enforcement agency within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice. Notices over 30 days are considered expired. If you allow your notice to expire, you will need to submit a new application and fees to initiate a new eligibility check.
Public Rights Division, Section Descriptions
Division of Public Rights | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Division of Public Rights Home Careers Career Opportunities Division of Public Rights The mission of the Division of Public Rights is to safeguard the state’s environment, lands, and natural resources; maintain competitive markets; prevent fraudulent business practices; protect consumers; monitor Indian and Gaming practices; preserve charitable assets, and protect the civil rights of all Californians. Our Division is organized into the following twelve sections: Antitrust Section enforces state and federal antitrust laws, including challenges to anticompetitive corporate mergers and acquisitions. Charitable Trusts Section has jurisdiction over charitable organizations, trustees, and fundraising professionals operating in California. Civil Rights Enforcement Section protects and promotes the civil rights of all people in California in a broad array of subject areas, including civil liberties, children's rights, constitutional policing, immigrant rights, and workers’ rights. Consumer Protection Section enforces laws that protect Californians against unlawful, unfair and deceptive trade practices, false advertising, and privacy violations. Corporate Fraud Section investigates and prosecutes cases involving energy, securities and commodities fraud, and fraud and other financial wrongdoing perpetrated against the state. It brings complex prosecutions under a wide range of statutes, including the Unfair Competition Law, the California False Claims Act, and Corporate Securities and Commodities Laws. Environment Section enforces state and federal environmental laws affecting California’s natural resources, its communities and public health. Healthcare Rights and Access Section safeguards and promotes the public’s right to equitable, affordable, quality healthcare, including defending women’s reproductive rights, preventing anticompetitive or unfair business activities, protecting patient privacy rights, and holding the tobacco industry accountable. Native American and Tribal Affairs Section consults with, advises, and represents the Governor and the State in connection with tribal-state compact negotiations and litigation. It advises and represents the Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control and the Gambling Control Commission in administrative and judicial proceedings and other state agencies on Indian law issues. Land Use and Conservation Section handles litigation involving lands owned and administered by the state, advises and handles litigation for agencies that regulate natural resources, and advises and handles litigation for land conservancies. Natural Resources Section represents state agencies responsible for enforcing and administering laws and programs that protect California’s environment and natural resources. Police Practices Section The Police Practices Section conducts civil investigations into whether a law enforcement agency has engaged in a pattern and practice of violating state or federal law. The Section is also charged through Assembly Bill 1506, as enacted in Government Code section 12525, subdivision (c)(1), to conduct police shooting reviews and reviews of law enforcement agencies use of force policies. Worker Rights and Fair Labor Section defends California workers and legitimate competition in the State by investigating and prosecuting employers and others who violate minimum labor standards, endanger workplace health and safety, or otherwise subject workers to unlawful working conditions. The unit targets and seeks to remedy systemic unlawful business practices to improve the lives of working Californians and their families.
Ammunition Purchase Authorization Program
Effective July 1, 2019, persons seeking to purchase or transfer ammunition will have to undergo an eligibility check, and be approved by the Department, prior to the sale or transfer, except as otherwise specified. Departmental approval shall occur electronically through a licensed ammunition vendor. Pursuant to Penal Code sections 30352 and 30370, the Department will determine that a person is eligible to purchase or transfer ammunition if they meet one of the following requirements: The person has a current Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Department The person’s information matches an entry in the Automated Firearms System (name, date of birth, current address, and driver license or other government identification) and does not fall within a class of persons who are prohibited from owning or possessing ammunition. The Department shall make this determination by cross-referencing the Prohibited Armed Persons file (also known as the Armed and Prohibited Persons System). The person is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing ammunition. The Department determines eligibility based on a comprehensive review of its records (similar to a firearm eligibility check). Please note: this eligibility check requires a manual review of records by a Department analyst. As such, the Department may take longer to respond with a determination as to eligibility. Response times may take several days. Persons will have the ability to check the status of their eligibility check through the Ammunition Eligibility Check Status and Information page (available July 1, 2019). The person was approved by the Department to receive a firearm from the ammunition vendor, pursuant to Penal Code section 28220, if that vendor is a licensed firearm dealer, and the ammunition is delivered to the person in the same transaction as the firearm. In this scenario, the dealer will use the approved firearm eligibility check as the approval to purchase ammunition, and will submit the ammunition purchase to the Department during the delivery of the firearm. Establishing a Record in the Automated Firearms System The Automated Firearms System is a repository of firearm records maintained by the Department, as established by Penal Code section 11106. The Automated Firearms System is populated by way of firearm purchases or transfers at a California licensed firearm dealer, registration of assault weapons (during specified registration periods), an individual’s report of firearm ownership to the Department, Carry Concealed Weapons Permit records, or records entered by law enforcement agencies. To establish an Automated Firearms System record, you may take one of the following actions: Record ownership of a firearm you possess, but were not previously required to report, by submitting a Firearm Ownership Report to the Department. If your last firearm purchase of a long gun was prior to January 1, 2014, there is a possibility you may not have a record in the Automated Firearms System despite having purchased or transferred your firearm through a firearms dealer. The Department was statutorily prohibited from retaining information regarding sales of rifles or shotguns prior to January 1, 2014. As a result, records of rifles and shotguns in the Automated Firearms System prior to January 1, 2014, are limited to assault weapon registrations (Pen. Code, § 30500, et seq.), voluntary reports of ownership, and other records entered by the Department and California law enforcement agencies. You may submit the Firearm Ownership Report through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS). For more information regarding this process please visit the Firearms Reporting and Law Enforcement Release Application page. Record ownership through a purchase or transfer of a firearm from a licensed firearm dealer in California. Updating a Record in the Automated Firearm System Effective July 1, 2019, persons with an outdated Automated Firearms System record will have the ability to update personal information (name, date of birth, Identification number/type, and current address) on their Automated Firearm System record via the CFARS. Please refer to the Department’s Automated Firearms System Personal Information Update page for more information regarding this process. Ammunition Purchases or Transfers Regulations Ammunition Purchases Frequently Asked Questions
AB 28: Certificate of Registration
Assembly Bill 28 (AB 28) Commencing July 1, 2024, Assembly Bill 28 (AB 28), which was signed into law on September 26, 2023, requires all firearms dealers and ammunition vendors to obtain a Certificate of Registration with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). This Certificate of Registration requirement also applies to any federally licensed firearm manufacturer that engages in the retail sale of any firearms in California, including firearm precursor parts. There is no fee for this Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax (FET) Certificate of Registration. The FET Certificate of Registration requirement is in addition to the existing requirement that firearms dealers and ammunition vendors maintain a valid seller’s permit, and that firearms manufacturers maintain a valid seller’s permit or resale certificate. Additionally, AB 28 states that the Department of Justice may revoke any ammunition vendor license or remove any firearms dealer or firearms manufacturer from any centralized list upon notification from CDTFA that CDTFA revoked the licensee’s certificate of registration or revoked or suspended the licensee’s seller’s permit. This webpage is intended to highlight only a few aspects of AB 28. Please review AB 28—including sections 36035 and 36036 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and sections 26700, 26705, and 30395 of the Penal Code—for further details, requirements, and relevant information. For information on obtaining the FET Certificate of Registration, seller’s permit, or resale certificate, you may visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov and CDTFA’s “Tax Guide for Sellers of Firearm and Ammunition Products” website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/sellers-of-firearm-and-ammunition-products/. Should you have any other questions, please contact the Bureau of Firearms, Centralized List Unit at 916-210-2750 or via email at [email protected].
Laboratories Certified to Test Firearms Safety Devices
Laboratories Certified to Test Firearms Safety Devices | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Laboratories Certified to Test Firearms Safety Devices Home Firearms Firearm Safety Devices Laboratories Certified to Test Firearms Safety Devices Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 23620 and 23625, effective January 1, 2002, no firearm may be sold, manufactured, or transferred in California unless that firearm is accompanied by a DOJ-approved firearms safety device. The following laboratories are currently certified by the Department of Justice to test firearms safety devices for safety/functionality related to this requirement. Element Materials Technology 7447 W. 33rd Street N. Wichita, KS 67205 (316) 832-1600 Professional Analysis and Consulting, Inc. 106 Clow International Parkway, Suite D Bolingbrook, IL 60490 (630) 466-4040 To obtain an application for Firearms Safety Device Laboratory Certification, please email the Bureau of Firearms at [email protected]
Automated Firearms System Personal Information Update
Automated Firearms System Personal Information Update | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Automated Firearms System Personal Information Update Home Firearms Automated Firearms System Personal Information Update The Automated Firearms System is a repository of firearm records maintained by the Department, as established by Penal Code section 11106. The Automated Firearms System is populated by way of firearm purchases or transfers at a California licensed firearm dealer, registration of assault weapons (during specified registration periods), an individual’s report of firearm ownership to the Department, Carry Concealed Weapons Permit records, or records entered by law enforcement agencies. Commencing July 1, 2019, an individual will have the ability to electronically update one or more Automated Firearms System records through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) to match his or her current name, date of birth, address, and California Driver License, California Identification Card, or Military Identification Number. Maintaining accurate personal information within the Automated Firearm System is critical if you plan to purchase ammunition by meeting the eligibility requirements established by Penal Code section 30370, subdivisions (c) and (d). If the information that is provided to the ammunition vendor does not match an entry in the Automated Firearms System database, the transaction must be denied. As such, it is important to ensure records are accurate. How do I update my Automated Firearm System record? To update your personal information on a record in the Automated Firearms System, log into your CFARS account, click on “Automated Firearms System (AFS) Personal Information Update,” and follow the instructions. If you do not have a CFARS account, you may create one by visiting https://cfars.doj.ca.gov. What information is needed to update an Automated Firearm System record? Current personal information. Full Name, Date of Birth, Residential Address, California Driver License/Identification Card Number, or Military Identification Number/Department of Defense Identification Number. Personal information at time of firearm purchase. Exact personal information as it was recorded on your Dealer Record of Sale or other firearms ownership record. Firearm currently recorded in your name. Type, Make, Model, Caliber and Serial Number information of one or more firearms currently recorded in the Automated Firearms System. Verifying documentation. If you are changing your name, date of birth, identification type or identification number, you must upload documents verifying the change. These documents require review and approval by the Department before changes can be updated on your record. Depending on what personal information will be updated, the following verification documents may be required: California Driver License/Identification Card Note: If you uploaded your military identification and active duty station orders and do not have a California driver license or identification card, you may upload your military identification card again. Marriage License Endorsed court order regarding restoration of former name Endorsed court order regarding name change Birth Certificate Military Orders Please refer to the Automated Firearms System Information Update Regulations for more information. Is there a fee associated with updating an Automated Firearm System record? There is no fee for updating your record. What can I expect after submission of the Automated Firearms System Personal Information Update request? Once your submission has been processed, the Department will send an email to the email address on file to let you know the status of your submission or to advise you to log on to CFARS to review notices from the Department. What if I don’t know the exact personal information or firearms information that was used when I purchased or transferred my firearm? You can request to obtain information on all firearms for which you are listed as the purchaser, transferee, or owner in the State of California. Based on the personal information you provide, the Department will conduct a diligent search of the Automated Firearms System and will provide you with the listing via mail. Once you receive the listing, you can reference the personal and firearm information that was recorded at the time the firearm was purchased or transferred. Thereafter, you can use the information to update your Automated Firearm System record. The Automated Firearms System Request for Firearm Records (BOF 053) application can be located at https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/forms. I know I have an Automated Firearms System record but I am not sure if my personal information is current. May I submit a new Firearm Ownership Report instead of updating my Automated Firearm System record? No. The Department will not process firearm ownership reports for firearms that are already recorded in your name. What if I don’t have a firearm record in the Automated Firearm System and I want to purchase ammunition? For more information about how you can meet the requirements to purchase ammunition without having an Automated Firearms System record, please visit the Ammunition Purchase Authorization webpage.
Public Notice - Zastava SKS Carbines are Considered Destructive Devices
Public Notice - Zastava SKS Carbines Zastava SKS Carbines 59/66 are considered destructive devices in California and therefore may not be purchased, possessed, imported, or kept for sale without a permit. These weapons were incorporated into the Yugoslavian Army in 1966 and are constructed with grenade launchers on them. The factory brochure claims that the grenade launcher launches a 22 mm (approximately .80 caliber) grenade. Based on the information in the factory brochure, this grenade launcher is a destructive device as defined in California Penal Code section 16460. Possession of such a device can be a felony.
Laboratories Certified to Test Handguns
Handgun Testing Certified Laboratories | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Handgun Testing Certified Laboratories Home Firearms Handgun Testing Certified Laboratories Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 31900-32110, effective January 1, 2001, no handgun model may be sold, transferred, manufactured, etc., in California unless that model has been tested by a certified laboratory and subsequently approved by the Department of Justice. * The following laboratories are currently certified by the Department of Justice to test handguns for safety/functionality related to this requirement: Element U.S. Space & Defense 4603B Compass Point Road Belcamp, MD 21017 (410) 297-8154 Professional Analysis and Consulting, Inc. 106 Clow International Parkway, Suite D Bolingbrook, IL 60490 (630) 466-4040 To obtain an application for DOJ Certification (Handgun Testing), please email the Bureau of Firearms at [email protected]
Transporting Firearms in California
Transporting Firearms in California Home Firearms Transporting Firearms in California HANDGUNS Pursuant to California Penal Code section 25610, a United States citizen over 18 years of age who is not prohibited from firearm possession, and who resides or is temporarily in California, may transport by motor vehicle any handgun provided it is unloaded and locked in the vehicle’s trunk or in a locked container. Furthermore, the handgun must be carried directly to or from any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and, while being carried must be contained within a locked container. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 16850, the term "locked container" means a secure container that is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES Nonconcealable firearms (shotguns and rifles) are not generally covered within the provisions of California Penal Code section 25400 and therefore are not required to be transported in a locked container. However, as with any firearm, nonconcealable firearms must be unloaded while they are being transported. REGISTERED ASSAULT WEAPONS California Penal Code section 30945, subdivision (g) provides that registered assault weapons may be transported only between specified locations and must be unloaded and stored in a locked container when transported. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 16850, the term "locked container" means a secure container that is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment.
Firearms Information for New California Residents
Firearms Information for New California Residents | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Firearms Information for New California Residents Home Firearms Regulations Firearms Information for New California Residents Pursuant to Penal Code sections 17000 and 27560, any person who moves into California with a firearm is considered a "Personal Firearm Importer" and is required by California law to do one of the following within 60 days: Complete and submit a New Resident Report of Firearm Ownership (BOF 4010A), pdf along with $19.00 to the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms; Sell or transfer the firearm to a California licensed firearms dealer or to another individual using a California licensed firearms dealer to conduct the transaction; or Sell or transfer the firearm to a California police or sheriff's department. Persons choosing this option should contact the law enforcement agency for instructions prior to transporting the firearm to the agency. TRANSPORTING HANDGUNS Any person transporting handguns into California is required under California law to transport those handguns unloaded and in a locked container other than the glove compartment or utility compartment of a vehicle. ASSAULT WEAPONS Please be advised that it is generally unlawful to bring assault weapons into California. Additionally, machine guns and ammunition feeding devices with the capacity to accept greater than 10 rounds may not be transported into California. Failure to comply with California law could result in criminal prosecution (Pen. Code, § 27590).
Human Trafficking Model Notice
Human Trafficking Model Notice Senate Bill 1193 added Section 52.6 to the Civil Code. The law requires specified businesses and other establishments, as of April 1, 2013, to post a notice informing the public and victims of human trafficking of telephone hotline numbers to seek help or report unlawful activity. Additional requirements were added with the enactment of SB 225 and AB 260 (2017). SB 225 requires the model notice to provide a specified number that victims can text for services and support, while AB 260 added hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns to the list of specified businesses required to post the model notice. There are specific posting mandates, language requirements, and penalties for failure to post. The mandated notice is available on this website for downloading. Each mandated business is required to post the notice in English and Spanish. In addition, for businesses located in specific counties, a third language posting is required. Posting in a third language is required in certain counties that are subject to the language assistance provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act. A list of these counties is available here (see "Covered Jurisdictions"): https://www.justice.gov/crt/about-language-minority-voting-rights#coveredjuris. Required Languages English Model Notice, pdf Spanish Model Notice, pdf OR Dual English/Spanish Model Notice, pdf Additional Languages Arabic Model Notice, pdf Brazilian (Portuguese) Model Notice, pdf Cambodian Model Notice, pdf Chinese, Simplified Model Notice, pdf Chinese, Traditional Model Notice, pdf Eastern Armenian Model Notice, pdf Farsi Model Notice, pdf Haitian Creole Model Notice, pdf Hindi Model Notice, pdf Hmong Model Notice, pdf Italian Model Notice, pdf Japanese Model Notice, pdf Korean Model Notice, pdf Laotian Model Notice, pdf Pashto Model Notice, pdf Polish Model Notice, pdf Punjabi Model Notice, pdf Romanian Model Notice, pdf Russian Model Notice, pdf Tagalog Model Notice, pdf Thai Model Notice, pdf Vietnamese Model Notice, pdf
Firearm Relinquishment
Firearm Relinquishment | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Firearm Relinquishment California prohibits certain people from owning or possessing firearms. For example, individuals convicted of felony offenses or certain domestic violence misdemeanors may not own or possess firearms. The California Department of Justice tracks individuals who have obtained firearms and later become prohibited through its Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS). The DOJ removes firearms from these individuals both through its Bureau of Firearms, and by supporting local efforts through our Gun Violence Reduction Program Grants. In addition to certain criminal convictions, courts can prohibit certain dangerous individuals from possessing firearms through Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVROs) and Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs). For more information on how to seek an order from the court, see below. APPS Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Gun Violence Restraining Orders Gun Violence Reduction Program
Litigation
Litigation | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Litigation One of the primary roles of the Attorney General is to defend California’s laws — in California and before the United States Supreme Court. In recent years, California’s gun safety laws have routinely been challenged in court. The California Department of Justice is actively defending California’s effective firearms safety laws in the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s divided opinion in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. Additionally, Attorney General Bonta has made it a priority to use whatever tools available to us to prevent the proliferation of ghost guns. Bruen Decision Defending California’s Commonsense Firearms Laws Ghost Gun Litigation Protecting the Public Safety of Californians through Proactive Litigation
Firearm Safety Laws
Firearm Safety Laws | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Firearm Safety Laws California is the nation’s leader in firearm safety laws. Together, these laws protect Californians from gun violence and contribute to our low rate of firearm mortality. But as Californians we refuse to settle—we create, innovate, and upgrade. We are always looking for new ways to keep Californians safe, while respecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Californians. And we cannot do it alone—we rely on the federal government to do its part so that illegal guns cannot be smuggled into California. California Laws Existing Firearms Laws New Firearms Laws Assault Weapons Ban (State and Federal) Federal Laws Assault Weapons Ban (State and Federal) Federal Safer Communities Act Gun Shows Gun Show Enforcement
Attorney General Bonta Announces Settlement with Kars for Deceptive Cancer Charity Fundraising Scheme
Attorney General Bonta Announces Settlement with Kars for Deceptive Cancer Charity Fundraising Scheme | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Attorney General Bonta Announces Settlement with Kars for Deceptive Cancer Charity Fundraising Scheme Press Release Attorney General Bonta Announces Settlement with Kars for De… Thursday, September 25, 2025 Contact: (916) 210-6000, [email protected] Kars and its operators raised millions but only a fraction of donations went to fund breast cancer screenings OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 19 states and agencies, announced a settlement with Kars-R-Us.com, Inc. (Kars) and its operators, Michael Irwin and Lisa Frank, for their deceptive charity fundraising scheme. Between 2017 and 2022, Kars raised more than $45.5 million, including approximately $16.7 million from California donors, through vehicle donations on behalf of the United Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. The solicitation scheme claimed that funds raised from vehicle donations would “save lives” by providing free and low-cost breast cancer screenings, but $34.9 million of the $45.5 million raised went to Kars, its operators and vendors and not towards breast cancer screenings. Under the stipulated judgment, Kars, Irwin, and Frank face restrictions on future fundraising activities, and Irwin will be permanently banned from fundraising. “Instead of using the funds to help those in need of breast cancer screenings, Kars engaged in a deceptive cancer charity fundraising scheme – a scheme that deliberately misled the public, exploited compassion, and diverted charitable donations to enrich themselves,” said Attorney General Bonta. “At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to hold bad actors accountable for their unlawful behavior, protect donors, and support honest charitable work. I want to thank the FTC and states nationwide for their partnership in making this critical settlement possible.” Kars and its operators solicited vehicle donations through national and local TV, radio, and online ads in English and Spanish. The Spanish ads were specifically placed in Spanish-speaking concentrated markets in Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas. More than 84,000 well-intentioned people donated their vehicles to Kars, but only $126,815 or 0.28% of the more than $45.5 million that Kars raised was used to provide breast cancer screenings. The proposed settlement order imposes restrictions on Kars, Irwin, and Frank, including: Permanently banning Irwin from fundraising or providing fundraising services to any person, directly or indirectly. He is also prohibited from making misrepresentations in connection with the marketing or sale of any product and service; Prohibiting Frank, Kars’s current president and sole owner, from making misrepresentations associated with fundraising, or in the marketing or sale of any other product or service; Prohibiting Kars, its employees, and anyone actively working for or engaged with the company from making misrepresentations associated with fundraising, or in the marketing or sale of any other product or service; and Requiring Kars and Frank to substantiate fundraising or marketing claims. Irwin, Frank, and Kars also face a total monetary judgment of $3,882,091, which is partially suspended based on their inability to pay the full amount. If Kars, Frank, and Irwin are found to have lied to the FTC and state partners about their financial status, the full judgment will be immediately payable. Attorney General Bonta joins the FTC and the attorneys general of Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin as well as the secretaries of state of Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection in filing this judgment. A copy of the complaint and stipulated judgment can be found here and here. # # #
SB 452: Microstamping
Senate Bill (SB) 452, which was signed into law on September 26, 2023, amended California’s Unsafe Handgun Act by removing the microstamping requirement from Penal Code section 31910 and adding, under separate Penal Code provisions, new requirements related to microstamping components (specifically, sections 27531, 27532, 27533, 27534.1 and 27534.2). As detailed further below, this law provides a series of staggered implementation requirements for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the technological viability of microstamping components, develop performance standards and licensing processes for entities that produce those components, and assess the commercial availability of microstamping components or microstamping-enabled firearms. It also provides a conditional mandate related to microstamping components in semiautomatic pistols sold or transferred in the state. Commencing January 1, 2028, this law will require licensed firearms dealers to ensure that semiautomatic pistols sold, offered for sale, exchanged, given, transferred, or delivered by those dealers in California are certified as “microstamping-enabled” by the pistol’s manufacturer, a licensed firearms dealer, or a gunsmith that serviced the pistol by installing a qualifying microstamping component (Pen. Code § 27533 and § 27531(c)). This requirement would apply to any semiautomatic pistol manufactured or delivered to a firearms dealer on or after January 1, 2028. However, this requirement takes effect only if DOJ has first made two separate determinations regarding: (1) the technological viability of microstamping components; and (2) the commercial availability of microstamping components and/or microstamping-enabled firearms. Technological Viability of Microstamping Components For the first of these determinations, SB 452 requires DOJ to “engage in an investigation to determine the technological viability of microstamping components producing microstamps on spent cartridge casings discharged by a firearm into which the microstamping component has been installed,” which includes soliciting input from relevant stakeholders (Pen. Code §27532(a)). On July 18, 2025, DOJ released a report finding that it is technologically viable for microstamping components (engraved firing pins) to imprint a unique microscopic array of characters, referred to as a “microstamp,” on spent cartridge cases discharged by a firearm into which the microstamping component has been installed. Commercial Availability of Microstamping Components Once DOJ has made a finding that microstamping components are technologically viable, it is required to: By September 1, 2025, provide “written guidance on performance standards for persons, associations, partnerships, corporations, or other entities engaged in the business of producing microstamping components.” (Pen. Code § 27532(b).) Those performance standards can be found in the California Code of Regulations, Title 11, Division 5, Chapter 16, Sections 4600-4601. By January 1, 2026, commence accepting applications for licenses for entities that produce microstamping components that meet DOJ’s performance standards. Entities seeking a license to produce microstamping components must submit samples to a DOJ-Certified Lab which will evaluate and conduct the testing of the semiautomatic pistol with the microstamping component pursuant to the standards outlined in California Code of Regulations, Title 11, Division 5, Chapter 16, Sections 4600-4601. Once the DOJ-Certified Lab has tested the microstamping components, it must submit BOF Form 130 Microstamping Performance Report to DOJ to evaluate whether the microstamping component meets the performance standards. BOF Form 130 will be accepted by email at [email protected]. These requirements are set forth in California Code of Regulations, Title 11, Division 5, Chapter 16, Section 4602. By July 1, 2026, DOJ must provide grants or enter into contracts with one or more entities licensed to produce microstamping components that meet DOJ’s performance standards to make those microstamping components available for sale or other distribution at a reasonable cost to firearm manufacturers, licensed firearms dealers, and gunsmiths engaged in the business of installing microstamping components in California. (Pen. Code § 27532(d).) By July 1, 2027, DOJ must determine: (1) whether microstamping components are available at commercially reasonable prices from licensees producing microstamping components, and (2) whether “options of microstamping-enabled firearms are readily available for purchase” in California. (Pen. Code § 27532(e).) Once DOJ determines that either or both of these criteria are met, DOJ must publish a list of all licensees producing microstamping components that meet the microstamping performance standards and “shall notify licensed firearms dealers, gunsmiths, and manufacturers operating within the State of California of the list of available microstamping component producers.” (Pen. Code § 27532(f).) Definitions of Key Terms can be found in Pen. Code § 27531. Additional Information: Attorney General Bonta Releases Report, Finds Firearm Microstamping Technology Viable Microstamping Technological Viability Report 2025 BOF 130 - Microstamping Performance Report California Code of Regulations