California Assault Weapons Law 101

CA Assault Weapons Law is complex. If you're going to build an AR-15, be sure you understand the law. This page is just a general overview, and is no substitute for reading and understanding the actual text of the laws. We are not lawyers. This page reflects our understanding of the law but should not be construed as legal advice.

How to own a Centerfire AR-15 rifle in CA

There are three ways to have an AR-15 in California. The second two ways require your receiver to be an "off-list" lower or "OLL." Check the Calguns Assault Weapon ID flowchart for the list (CA PC 12276).

1. Registered Assault Weapon - You owned it before a certain long-ago date and you registered it with the state before the deadline for registration. No new registrations are being accepted, so if you don't already have one of these, you can't get one now. You can have all the evil features you like, and you can use legally-owned large capacity magazines in your rifle. AKA "RAW," "Free State Rifle."
   
   
2. Fixed Magazine Rifle - (CA PC 12276.1(a)(1)) You have all the evil features you want, your rifle looks just like any free-state rifle. But where it really counts, the functionality and firepower of the rifle --it's actually crippled very badly. You can only have 10 rounds in the magazine (CA PC 12276(a)(2)), not one round more, and that magazine has to be locked in. You'll need to fumble for a pointy tool (not a finger) to remove it, because the normal magazine release is covered or blocked. If you ever need it to defend yourself against an advancing horde of undead, you'll be utterly hosed. But hey, your gun will look great. The zombies will surely admire your weapon after they've consumed your brains. AKA "BB Rifle," "Bullet Button Rifle," "Mag Locked Rifle."
   
   
3. Detachable Magazine Rifle - (CA PC 12276.1(a)(1)) You have removed all evil features, so you can use your legally-owned high-capacity magazines (or drums) and you can drop the mag with a finger press, the way nature and Eugene Stoner intended. A Detachable Magazine rifle lets you load a lot more ammunition than those fixed-mag rifles. It frees you from that castrating 10 round limit, and there'll be no more poking your rifle with the tip of a bullet. AKA "Featureless Rifle."

The "Evil" Features

(CA PC 12276.1(a)(1)(A-F))

• Pistol Grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
• Thumbhole Stock.
• Folding or Telescoping Stock.
• Grenade Launcher or Flare Launcher.
• Flash Suppressor.
• Forward Pistol Grip.

Of course these are not actually evil features. None of them makes the rifle any more dangerous by their being present. They're all optional cosmetic features with the exception of the pistol grip. If you remove the pistol grip you have a problem. There's no way to hold the weapon. That's where the Hammerhead comes in. It lets you hold the rifle like you would a wooden rifle.

The Pistol Grip Defined

While the other AWB states also have a restriction on the pistol grip, they have no definition of what a pistol grip is. It's left up to a jury. In California the situation is somewhat better.

CA 11 CCR 5469(d) says "pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon" means a grip that allows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed below the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing.

As you can see in the photos above, Hammerhead does not allow a pistol style grasp, and the web of the trigger hand stays above the top of the exposed trigger while firing.

The web of the trigger hand is in the correct position regardless if you use the Hammerhead as a stock adapter (what we call Type I and II configurations),or as a grip (what we call Type III and IV configurations). Even the "stubby" modification made by sawing off the threaded tail section still maintains that yellow line for the web of the hand to stay above.

Large Capacity Magazines

One key reason to go to a Detachable Magazine rifle is so you can use your "legally owned" large capacity magazines. CA magazine law (Penal Code 12020(a)(2) is a very short law but is a source of much confusion because it doesn't ban possession outright. Still, there are some things you need to know before you head out to the range with your mags.

NOT LEGAL:

• Manufacturing - ILLEGAL
• Importing into the state (even as a visitor from out of state) - ILLEGAL
• Keeping for sale - ILLEGAL
• Offering for sale - ILLEGAL
• Giving - ILLEGAL
• Lending (If the owner is not nearby) - ILLEGAL
• Using in a Fixed-Magazine Centerfire Rifle - ILLEGAL

LEGAL:

• You owned it before Jan 1 2000 - LEGAL
• You owned it before Jan 1 2000, took it out of state, brought it back into CA - LEGAL
• Possession (no matter how you acquired it) - LEGAL
• Selling / Importing / Buying / Transferring / Possessing Completely Disassembled Mags ("Repair" or "Rebuild" kit) - LEGAL
• Law Enforcement Agencies & Officers, Licensed Gun Dealers (FFLs) - LEGAL
• Armored Car Companies - import, buy & sell from/to anyone - LEGAL
• Finding - LEGAL
• Buying - LEGAL
• Lending (As long as the owner is nearby) - LEGAL
• Receiving - LEGAL
• Repairing (including replacing every part of an old magazine with a brand new part all at once & no requirement to prove you did this) - LEGAL
• Using in a Detachable Magazine Centerfire Rifle - LEGAL

We would never encourage anyone to break the law, but be aware that CA magazine law has logical inconsistencies and it's nearly impossible to enforce. Most magazines are not date stamped and there is no requirement in the law to prove when you bought it (no need to keep receipts). Read the law and understand it, consult with your attorney, and make sure you're only using legally owned large capacity magazines in your centerfire rifle.

Play safe. Always check any black rifle build against the Calguns Assault Weapon ID Flowchart

LEGAL DISLCLAIMER: Product not approved by the CA DOJ. As with any firearms accessory product, you should read and understand the Penal Law and make your own call. Use this product in accordance with all applicable laws and entirely at your own risk.