ARTICLE 2. Unlawful Acts Relating to Assault Weapons and .50 BMG Rifles [30600. - 30685.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 2.

in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30600. Section 30600.

(a) Any person who, within this state, manufactures or causes to be manufactured, distributes, transports, or imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives or lends any assault weapon or any .50 BMG rifle, except as provided by this chapter, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for four, six, or eight years. (b) In addition and consecutive to the punishment imposed under subdivision (a), any person who transfers, lends, sells, or gives any assault weapon or any .50 BMG rifle to a minor in violation of subdivision (a) shall receive an enhancement of imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of one year. (c) Except in the case of a first violation involving not more than two firearms as provided in Sections 30605 and 30610, for purposes of this article, if more than one assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is involved in any violation of this article, there shall be a distinct and separate offense for each.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30605. Section 30605.

(a) Any person who, within this state, possesses any assault weapon, except as provided in this chapter, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a first violation of these provisions is punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) if the person was found in possession of no more than two firearms in compliance with Section 30945 and the person meets all of the following conditions: (1) The person proves that he or she lawfully possessed the assault weapon prior to the date it was defined as an assault weapon. (2) The person has not previously been convicted of a violation of this article. (3) The person was found to be in possession of the assault weapon within one year following the end of the one-year registration period established pursuant to Section 30900. (4) The person relinquished the firearm pursuant to Section 31100, in which case the assault weapon shall be destroyed pursuant to Sections 18000 and 18005.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30610. Section 30610.

(a) Any person who, within this state, possesses any .50 BMG rifle, except as provided in this chapter, shall be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a first violation of these provisions is punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) if the person was found in possession of no more than two firearms in compliance with Section 30905 and the person satisfies all of the following conditions: (1) The person proves that he or she lawfully possessed the .50 BMG rifle prior to January 1, 2005. (2) The person has not previously been convicted of a violation of this article. (3) The person was found to be in possession of the .50 BMG rifle within one year following the end of the .50 BMG rifle registration period established pursuant to Section 30905. (c) Firearms seized pursuant to this section from persons who meet all of the conditions in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (b) shall be returned unless the court finds in the interest of public safety, after notice and hearing, that the .50 BMG rifle should be destroyed pursuant to Sections 18000 and 18005. Firearms seized from persons who do not meet the conditions set forth in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (b) shall be destroyed pursuant to Sections 18000 and 18005.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30615. Section 30615.

Notwithstanding Section 654 or any other provision of law, any person who commits another crime while violating this article may receive an additional, consecutive punishment of one year for violating this article, in addition and consecutive to the punishment, including enhancements, which is prescribed for the other crime.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30620. Section 30620.

As used in this chapter, the date a firearm is an assault weapon is the earliest of the following: (a) The effective date of an amendment to Section 30510 or to former Section 12276 that adds the designation of the specified firearm. (b) The effective date of the list promulgated pursuant to former Section 12276.5, as that section read in Section 3 of Chapter 954 of the Statutes of 1991, which adds or changes the designation of the specified firearm. (c) January 1, 2000, which was the operative date of former Section 12276.1, as enacted by Section 7 of Chapter 129 of the Statutes of 1999.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30625. Section 30625.

Sections 30600, 30605, and 30610 do not apply to the sale of an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle to, or the purchase, importation, or possession of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle by, the Department of Justice, police departments, sheriffs’ offices, marshals’ offices, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, district attorneys’ offices, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Cannabis Control, or the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States, or any federal law enforcement agency for use in the discharge of their official duties.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30630. Section 30630.

(a) Sections 30605 and 30610 shall not prohibit the possession or use of assault weapons or a .50 BMG rifle by sworn peace officer members of those agencies specified in Section 30625 for law enforcement purposes, whether on or off duty. (b) (1) Sections 30600, 30605, and 30610 shall not prohibit the sale, delivery, or transfer of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle to, or the possession of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle by, a sworn peace officer member of an agency specified in Section 30625 if the peace officer is authorized by the officer’s employer to possess or receive the assault weapon or the .50 BMG rifle. Required authorization is defined as verifiable written certification from the head of the agency, identifying the recipient or possessor of the assault weapon as a peace officer and authorizing that person to receive or possess the specific assault weapon. (2) For this exemption to apply, in the case of a peace officer who possesses or receives the assault weapon prior to January 1, 2002, the officer shall register the assault weapon on or before April 1, 2002, pursuant to former Section 12285, as it read at any time from when it was enacted by Section 3 of Chapter 19 of the Statutes of 1989, to and including when it was amended by Section 9 of Chapter 129 of the Statutes of 1999. In the case of a peace officer who possesses or receives the assault weapon on or after January 1, 2002, the officer shall, not later than 90 days after possession or receipt, register the assault weapon pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 30900), or pursuant to former Section 12285, as it read at any time from when it was amended by Section 9 of Chapter 129 of the Statutes of 1999 to when it was repealed by the Deadly Weapons Recodification Act of 2010. In the case of a peace officer who possesses or receives a .50 BMG rifle on or before January 1, 2005, the officer shall register the .50 BMG rifle on or before April 30, 2006. In the case of a peace officer who possesses or receives a .50 BMG rifle after January 1, 2005, the officer shall register the .50 BMG rifle not later than one year after possession or receipt. (3) With the registration, the peace officer shall include a copy of the authorization required pursuant to this subdivision. (c) Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit or prohibit the sale, delivery, or transfer of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle to, or the possession of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle by, a member of a federal law enforcement agency provided that person is authorized by the employing agency to possess the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30631. Section 30631.

Sections 30600 and 30605 do not apply to the loan of an assault weapon to, nor the possession of an assault weapon by, a person enrolled in the course of basic training prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or any other course certified by the commission, while engaged in firearms training and being supervised by a firearms instructor, if the following requirements are met: (a) The loaned assault weapon does not leave the training facility. (b) The enrollee has met the minimum peace officer hiring standards as stated in Sections 1029, 1030, and 1031 of the Government Code prior to entry to the course and is currently employed by any of the following: (1) A police department or sheriff’s office. (2) A marshal’s office. (3) The Department of Justice. (4) The Department of the California Highway Patrol. (5) The Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30635. Section 30635.

Section 30605 shall not apply to the possession of an assault weapon during the 90-day period immediately after the date it was specified as an assault weapon pursuant to former Section 12276.5, as that section read in Section 3 of Chapter 19 of the Statutes of 1989, Section 1 of Chapter 874 of the Statutes of 1990, or Section 3 of Chapter 954 of the Statutes of 1991, or during the one-year period after the date it was defined as an assault weapon pursuant to former Section 12276.1, as that section read at any time from when it was enacted by Section 7 of Chapter 129 of the Statutes of 1999 to when it was repealed by the Deadly Weapons Recodification Act of 2010, if all of the following are applicable: (a) At the time of the possession in question, the person was eligible under the then-applicable version of former Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 12275) of Title 2 of Part 4 to register the particular assault weapon. (b) The person lawfully possessed the particular assault weapon prior to the date it was specified as an assault weapon pursuant to former Section 12276.5, or prior to the date it was defined as an assault weapon pursuant to former Section 12276.1. (c) At the time of the possession in question, the person was otherwise in compliance with the then-applicable version of former Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 12275) of Title 2 of Part 4.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30640. Section 30640.

Section 30610 shall not apply to the possession of a .50 BMG rifle, which was not defined or specified as an assault weapon pursuant to the then-applicable version of the former Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 12275) of Title 2 of Part 4 that was added to this code by Section 3 of Chapter 19 of the Statutes of 1989, by any person prior to May 1, 2006, if all of the following are applicable: (a) At the time of the possession in question, the person was eligible under the then-applicable version of former Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 12275) of Title 2 of Part 4 to register that .50 BMG rifle. (b) The person lawfully possessed the .50 BMG rifle prior to January 1, 2005. (c) At the time of the possession in question, the person was otherwise in compliance with the then-applicable version of former Chapter 2.3 (commencing with Section 12275) of Title 2 of Part 4.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30645. Section 30645.

Sections 30600, 30605, and 30610 shall not apply to the manufacture by any person who is issued a permit pursuant to Section 31005 of assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles for sale to the following: (a) Exempt entities listed in Section 30625. (b) Entities and persons who have been issued permits pursuant to Section 31000 or 31005. (c) Federal military and law enforcement agencies. (d) Law enforcement and military agencies of other states. (e) Foreign governments and agencies approved by the United States State Department. (f) Entities outside the state who have, in effect, a federal firearms dealer’s license solely for the purpose of distribution to an entity listed in subdivisions (c) to (e), inclusive.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30650. Section 30650.

Sections 30600, 30605, and 30610 shall not apply to the sale of assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles by persons who are issued permits pursuant to Section 31005 to any of the following: (a) Exempt entities listed in Section 30625. (b) Entities and persons who have been issued permits pursuant to Section 31000 or 31005. (c) Federal military and law enforcement agencies. (d) Law enforcement and military agencies of other states. (e) Foreign governments and agencies approved by the United States State Department. (f) Officers described in Section 30630 who are authorized to possess assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles pursuant to Section 30630.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30655. Section 30655.

(a) Section 30600 shall not apply to a person who is the executor or administrator of an estate that includes an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle registered under Article 5 (commencing with Section 30900) or that was possessed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 30630 that is disposed of as authorized by the probate court, if the disposition is otherwise permitted by this chapter. (b) Sections 30605 and 30610 shall not apply to a person who is the executor or administrator of an estate that includes an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle registered under Article 5 (commencing with Section 30900) or that was possessed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 30630, if the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is possessed at a place set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 30945 or as authorized by the probate court.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30660. Section 30660.

(a) Section 30600 shall not apply to a person who lawfully possesses and has registered an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle pursuant to this chapter who lends that assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle to another person, if all the following requirements are satisfied: (1) The person to whom the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is lent is 18 years of age or over and is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm. (2) The person to whom the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is lent remains in the presence of the registered possessor of the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle. (3) The assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is possessed at any of the following locations: (A) While on a target range that holds a regulatory or business license for the purpose of practicing shooting at that target range. (B) While on the premises of a target range of a public or private club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets. (C) While attending any exhibition, display, or educational project that is about firearms and that is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education about, firearms. (b) Section 30600 shall not apply to the return of an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle to the registered possessor, or the lawful possessor, which is lent by that registered or lawful possessor pursuant to subdivision (a). (c) Sections 30605 and 30610 shall not apply to the possession of an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle by a person to whom an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is lent pursuant to subdivision (a).

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30665. Section 30665.

Sections 30600, 30605, and 30610 shall not apply to the possession and importation of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle into this state by a nonresident if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The person is attending or going directly to or coming directly from an organized competitive match or league competition that involves the use of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle. (b) The competition or match is conducted on the premises of one of the following: (1) A target range that holds a regulatory or business license for the purpose of practicing shooting at that target range. (2) A target range of a public or private club or organization that is organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets. (c) The match or competition is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or approved by, a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education about, firearms. (d) The assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is transported in accordance with Section 25610 or Article 3 (commencing with Section 25505) of Chapter 2 of Division 5. (e) The person is 18 years of age or over and is not in a class of persons prohibited from possessing firearms by virtue of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 29900) of Division 9 of this code or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30670. Section 30670.

(a) Section 30600 shall not apply to the importation into this state of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle by the registered owner of that assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle if it is in accordance with the provisions of Section 30945. (b) Section 30600 shall not apply during the first 180 days of the 2005 calendar year to the importation into this state of a .50 BMG rifle by a person who lawfully possessed that .50 BMG rifle in this state prior to January 1, 2005.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30675. Section 30675.

(a) Sections 30605 and 30610 shall not apply to any of the following persons: (1) A person acting in accordance with Section 31000 or 31005. (2) A person who has a permit to possess an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle issued pursuant to Section 31000 or 31005 when that person is acting in accordance with Section 31000 or 31005 or Article 5 (commencing with Section 30900). (b) Sections 30600, 30605, and 30610 shall not apply to any of the following persons: (1) A person acting in accordance with Article 5 (commencing with Section 30900). (2) A person acting in accordance with Section 31000, 31005, 31050, or 31055. (c) Sections 30605 and 30610 shall not apply to the registered owner of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle possessing that firearm in accordance with Section 30945.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30680. Section 30680.

Section 30605 does not apply to the possession of an assault weapon by a person who has possessed the assault weapon prior to January 1, 2017, if all of the following are applicable: (a) Prior to January 1, 2017, the person would have been eligible to register that assault weapon pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 30900. (b) The person lawfully possessed that assault weapon prior to January 1, 2017. (c) The person registers the assault weapon by July 1, 2018, in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 30900.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30685. Section 30685.

Section 30605 does not apply to the possession of an assault weapon as defined by paragraph (9), (10), or (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 30515 by a person who has possessed the assault weapon prior to September 1, 2020, if all of the following are applicable: (a) Prior to September 1, 2020, the person would have been eligible to register that assault weapon pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 30900. (b) The person lawfully possessed that assault weapon prior to September 1, 2020. (c) The person registers the assault weapon by January 1, 2022, in accordance with subdivision (c) of Section 30900.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026