ARTICLE 1. Restrictions Relating to Firearm Precursor Parts [30400. - 30425.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 1.

in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30400. Section 30400.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) and in Section 30420, or except by operation of law, it shall be unlawful for a person to purchase, sell, offer to sell, or transfer ownership of any firearm precursor part in this state that is not a federally regulated firearm precursor part. (b) This section does not apply to either of the following: (1) The purchase of a firearm precursor part that is not a federally regulated firearm precursor part by a federally licensed firearms manufacturer or importer, or by a federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms. (2) The sale, offer to sell, or transfer of ownership of a firearm precursor part that is not a federally regulated firearm precursor part to a federally licensed firearms manufacturer or importer, or to a federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms. (c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30401. Section 30401.

(a) The department may, upon receipt of a written request or form prescribed by the department, issue a determination to a person regarding whether an item or kit is a firearm precursor part. (b) Any request or form submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be executed under the penalty of perjury with a complete and accurate description of the item or kit, the name and address of the manufacturer or importer thereof, and a sample of the item or kit for examination. (c) The sample of the item or kit shall include all accessories and attachments relevant to the firearm precursor part determination as each determination is limited to the submitted sample. The sample shall include any associated templates, jigs, molds, equipment, or tools that are made available by the seller, distributor, or manufacturer of the item or kit to the purchaser or recipient of the item or kit, and any instructions, guides, or marketing materials if they will be made available by the seller, distributor, or manufacturer with the item or kit. (d) Upon completion of the examination, the department may return the sample to the person who made the request unless a determination is made that return of the sample would be a, or would place the person in, violation of the law. Unless otherwise stated by the department, a determination made by the department pursuant to this section shall not be deemed by any person to be applicable to, or authoritative with respect to, any other sample, design, model, or configuration.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30420. Section 30420.

This article does not apply to any of the following persons: (a) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, while on duty and acting within the scope and course of employment, or any law enforcement agency or forensic laboratory. (b) A common carrier licensed under state law, or a motor carrier, air carrier or carrier affiliated with an air carrier through common controlling interest that is subject to Title 49 of the United States Code, or an authorized agent of any such carrier, when acting in the course and scope of duties incident to the receipt, processing, transportation, or delivery of property. (c) An authorized representative of a city, county, city and county, or state or federal government that receives an unserialized firearm precursor part as part of an authorized, voluntary program in which the governmental entity is buying or receiving firearms or firearm precursor parts from private individuals.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 30425. Section 30425.

This article does not prohibit the manufacture of firearm precursor parts under contracts approved by agencies of the state or federal government.

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