DIVISION 4.5. LOST OR STOLEN FIREARMS [25250. - 25275.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 4.5.

in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 25250. Section 25250.

(a) Commencing July 1, 2017, every person shall report the loss or theft of a firearm he or she owns or possesses to a local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the theft or loss occurred within five days of the time he or she knew or reasonably should have known that the firearm had been stolen or lost. (b) Every person who has reported a firearm lost or stolen under subdivision (a) shall notify the local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the theft or loss occurred within five days if the firearm is subsequently recovered by the person. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a person shall not be required to report the loss or theft of a firearm that is an antique firearm within the meaning of subdivision (c) of Section 16170.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 25255. Section 25255.

Section 25250 shall not apply to the following: (a) Any law enforcement agency or peace officer acting within the course and scope of his or her employment or official duties if he or she reports the loss or theft to his or her employing agency. (b) Any United States marshal or member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, while engaged in his or her official duties. (c) Any person who is licensed, pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, and who reports the theft or loss in accordance with Section 923(g)(6) of Title 18 of the United States Code, or the successor provision thereto, and applicable regulations issued thereto. (d) Any person whose firearm was lost or stolen prior to July 1, 2017.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 25260. Section 25260.

Pursuant to Section 11108.2, every sheriff or police chief shall submit a description of each firearm that has been reported lost or stolen directly into the Department of Justice Automated Firearms System.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 25265. Section 25265.

(a) Every person who violates Section 25250 is, for a first violation, guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100). (b) Every person who violates Section 25250 is, for a second violation, guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). (c) Every person who violates Section 25250 is, for a third or subsequent violation, guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 25270. Section 25270.

Every person reporting a lost or stolen firearm pursuant to Section 25250 shall report the make, model, and serial number of the firearm, if known by the person, and any additional relevant information required by the local law enforcement agency taking the report.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 25275. Section 25275.

(a) No person shall report to a local law enforcement agency that a firearm has been lost or stolen, knowing the report to be false. A violation of this section is an infraction, punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a first offense, and by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for a second or subsequent offense. (b) This section shall not preclude prosecution under any other law.

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