Assault Rifles in California: Understanding the Regulations

[openfir3]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to start a discussion about assault rifles in California and the current regulations surrounding them. It seems like the laws regarding firearms can be quite complex, and I'm curious to learn more about the specific restrictions and requirements for owning an assault rifle in our state.

I know here in California, AR's are regulated under the Assault Weapons Control Act (AWCA). The law defines assault weapons based on specific characteristics like detachable magazines, pistol grips, and flash suppressors. California has some of the strictest regulations in the country, including mandatory firearm registration, restrictions on features and magazine capacity, and limited purchasing options. Can anyone shed some light on this topic?

[Oneaudiopro]

Sounds like you just did.

[walmart_ar15]

wrong sub-topic section.

And also would suggest doing a bit research on your own. There are already tons of information presented and a flow chart link at the top of the forum with external links to actual PC. Recommend reading up on them first.

[psssniper]

^^Look Up^^

click on

CA SemiautoBan(AW)ID Flowchart

[CSACANNONEER]

Don't forget that the law also defines AWs by make and model.

[Dvrjon]

Originally Posted by openfir3

Hey everyone,

I wanted to start a discussion about assault rifles in California and the current regulations surrounding them. It seems like the laws regarding firearms can be quite complex, and I'm curious to learn more about the specific restrictions and requirements for owning an assault rifle in our state.

If you didn?t register the assault rifle prior to 2017 (and earlier for specific types) you can?t own, buy or sell an assault rifle in CA.

Originally Posted by psssniper

^^Look Up^^
click on
CA SemiautoBan(AW)ID Flowchart

https://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf

/discussion

[XDJYo]

Simple flowchart.

If California = You?re screwed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnnyMtn]

And ?assault rifle?? Aren?t all of CA?s ridiculous laws based on ?assault weapons?? I know that is just semantics, but all of these stupid laws are all deeply entwined in semantics.

[IVC]

C'mon guys, just because there are other threads doesn't mean it's a topic we should avoid. Just provide basic information so newer members can quickly get the idea about how it works. Here, I'll start.

Assault weapons is what CA defines (not "assault rifles") and it includes both handguns and long guns (rifles and shotguns). The issue are primarily semi-automatic firearms with three naughty design elements: (1) detachable magazine, (2) pistol grip, (3) threaded barrel.

As a general rule, threaded barrels are a no-go by themselves, and pistol grips don't mix with detachable magazines. You can only have one of the two. There are additional "features" that are controlled, but it really comes down to pistol grips and detachable magazines - if you look at a rifle, the first thing you are looking at is it semi-automatic and does it have a pistol grip. That's your starting point.

The long story, for another post, is listed lowers, banned calibers, magazine capacities, additional features, and alike. Those are secondary and aren't nearly as important as the "no pistol grip with detachable magazines" rule.

[Jeepergeo]

Fun? Then Banned.
Black? Then Banned.
Standard? Then Banned.
Old Technology? Then Banned except for special people.

[Librarian]

See also the wiki articles - http://web.archive.org/web/202002021...tomatic_Rifles

[Dvrjon]

Originally Posted by IVC

C'mon guys, just because there are other threads doesn't mean it's a topic we should avoid. Just provide basic information so newer members can quickly get the idea about how it works.

Assault weapons have been banned since 1989. The latest updated ban was 2017. The bans are under court review for their constitutionality.

There really isn't much more to discuss.

[Dvrjon]

Originally Posted by openfir3

Can anyone shed some light on this topic?

Here you go - -:

Originally Posted by openfir3

Hey everyone,

I wanted to start a discussion about assault rifles in California and the current regulations surrounding them. It seems like the laws regarding firearms can be quite complex, and I'm curious to learn more about the specific restrictions and requirements for owning an assault rifle in our state. Bottom line: If you own one it has to be registered; if you don't own one you cannot get one.

I know here in California, AR's are regulated under the Assault Weapons Control Act (AWCA). ARs are not regulated under the Assault Weapons Control Act; Assault Weapons are regulated. These include semi-automatic, centerfire rifles; specifically configured pistols and specifically configured shotguns. "AR" was the original designation of a semi-automatic, cneterfiere rifle made by the Armalite Firearms Company. The AR-15 platform and the AR-10 platforms are examples of these. Today, "AR" sometimes refers to "Assault Rifle" but is actually the platform designation for a Modern Day Sporting Rifle (MSR). Properly configured attachments or magazine release devices, these MSR AR platforms can be legally bought and used in CA.

The law defines assault weapons based on specific characteristics like detachable magazines, pistol grips, and flash suppressors. The statutes define assault weapons by specific name and model (CA PEN 30310); by type of weapon (centerfire, semi-automatic) and "evil features" attached to the weapon (CA PEN 30515); and by type of magazine release (CA PEN 30515(b))

California has some of the strictest regulations in the country, including mandatory firearm registration, Assault weapons must be registered in CA, and the opportunities to register any type of assault weapon ended years ago. Registered assault weapons cannot be sold or transferred to other parties, including heirs of the owner.

restrictions on features See above and

magazine capacity, Magazine capacity only comes into play when a Large Capacity Magazine (elsewhere - -not in California - - referred to as a "standard cap mag") is inserted into a fixed magazine, semi-automatic, centerfire rifle.

and limited purchasing options. There are no purchasing options; the weapons are illegal to buy or sell.

Our good friends at Giffords have provided a brief synopsis.

[CSACANNONEER]

Originally Posted by Dvrjon

Assault weapons have been banned since 1989. The latest updated ban was 2017. The bans are under court review for their constitutionality.

There really isn't much more to discuss.

The latest update to CA AW laws and registration was 2020. It didn't deal with rifles, pistols or shotguns though.

[kcheung2]

I hear ChatGPT is good at writing essays, you should try that if you want other people to write your paper for you.

[Dvrjon]

Originally Posted by CSACANNONEER

The latest update to CA AW laws and registration was 2020. It didn't deal with rifles, pistols or shotguns though.

True, but all that dealt with was an opening and closing of registration for AOWs which seemed a bit esoteric and confusing for someone asking to discuss ?assault rifles?.

[Garand Hunter]

My take on this mess : Get yourself a LEGAL AR, many brands out THERE IN BUY A GUN LAND. Next take out the Bolt carrier assy. Get A CMMG or other brand of 22lr Conversion kit and a couple of 22lr Black Dog mags. Put the centerfire bolt carrier away in some storage location on your property. Take the piece of dog do do attached to the hand grip and store it with the bolt carrier. Put the CMMG bolt carrier into you AR and put a Black Dog 22lr unloaded into your rifle. Done, no longer a AW.

That is what I did while in Cali. I had plenty of centerfire rifles non AW and used them for hunting. Now I am in Tennessee and removed the dog do do stuff and removed the CMMG kit and am back to real AR 15 land.

If you still just have to have a AR in Cali buy another cheapie AR that is neutered just because you just gotta have one.

Psalm 1

[Quiet]

Originally Posted by Dvrjon

True, but all that dealt with was an opening and closing of registration for AOWs which seemed a bit esoteric and confusing for someone asking to discuss "assault rifles".

Technically, it was for firearms that are considered...
... under Federal laws, Title 1 Other.
... under CA laws, firearms that are not pistols, rifles, or shotguns.

Title 2 AOWs were not eligible for that AW registration period because they did not meet CA's requirement to be a "firearm that is not a pistol, rifle, or shotgun".
^Under CA laws, a firearm with a less than 16" barrel is a "pistol". Which is why Title 2 AOW have to be configured to be compliant with CA assault weapons for pistols and are affected by CA unsafe handgun laws.

[bigstick61]

Originally Posted by IVC

C'mon guys, just because there are other threads doesn't mean it's a topic we should avoid. Just provide basic information so newer members can quickly get the idea about how it works. Here, I'll start.

It's a common problem on Calguns; it seems to be part of its culture. Not a fan of it. For example, asking a question about CCW in LA County will get everyone to say you should just go scour through the massive thread on that because the answer is in there, somewhere. Lots of people don't know where to start or don't have the time or sometimes the knowledge to provide the discernment needed to wade through some of the massive threads on here or to find what is needed by searching for it. It's a discussion forum, but there is some sort of weird reticence here about discussing something once someone else has made a topic on it. It's something I noticed in the last few years.

[Dirk Tungsten]

It may be a problem but the thing is, the OP is very new here, with a low post count, and most of their posts seem to be pretty much filler-the whole thing reeks of a spammer/scammer trying to get their post count up as to seem like a legitimate member of the community. Add to that the overly broad question in the OP and the whole thing seems really disingenuous.

[SkyHawk]

Originally Posted by kcheung2

I hear ChatGPT is good at writing essays, you should try that if you want other people to write your paper for you.

My thoughts exactly. We need to get better at spotting possible anti-2A trolls/journos/policy makers coming in here

Originally Posted by bigstick61

It's a common problem on Calguns; it seems to be part of its culture. Not a fan of it.

You need to be more skeptical.

Originally Posted by Dirk Tungsten

It may be a problem but the thing is, the OP is very new here, with a low post count, and most of their posts seem to be pretty much filler-the whole thing reeks of a spammer/scammer trying to get their post count up as to seem like a legitimate member of the community. Add to that the overly broad question in the OP and the whole thing seems really disingenuous.

this guy can spot 'em ^^^

[Sniper3142]

Originally Posted by SkyHawk

My thoughts exactly. We need to get better at spotting possible anti-2A trolls/journos/policy makers coming in here



You need to be more skeptical.



this guy can spot 'em ^^^

AND the OP hasn't posted to a thread THEY STARTED in a Week.

If it smells like a duck, sounds like a duck, and walks like a duck...
It just might be a RINO.

[Dvrjon]

Originally Posted by Quiet

Technically, it was for firearms that are considered...
... under Federal laws, Title 1 Other.
... under CA laws, firearms that are not pistols, rifles, or shotguns.

Title 2 AOWs were not eligible for that AW registration period because they did not meet CA's requirement to be a "firearm that is not a pistol, rifle, or shotgun".
^Under CA laws, a firearm with a less than 16" barrel is a "pistol". Which is why Title 2 AOW have to be configured to be compliant with CA assault weapons for pistols and are affected by CA unsafe handgun laws.

So - - esoteric and confusing, yes?