AB1263 Signed!

[TheFlashG]

Just found out that Newsom signed AB1263 - look up the details for that law that goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

On the surface, it looks like 3D printing and the like, but the 'meat' of the bill/law appears to be any accessory that could be related to 'rate of fire' or 'speed to reload'.
Unfortunately, due to a lot of nuances, instead of dealing with the details, there is the risk that online retailer may stop selling to CA.

[abinsinia]

I think it makes it illegal to modify a gun purchased from the roster.

[Garbcollector]

First I'd heard of this bill

[Sparrow Dynamics]

It does apply to much more than "ghost guns". But, we will have to see the DOJ regs on it. I've heard some say those might come out late December, or January 1.
Here is the bill.

https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB1263/id/3272861

The new law does a bunch of things and doesn't just focus on one thing, it was poorly written and very vague in some areas... it seems like they tried to cram as much as they could into it.

One of the main concerns is that it forces the retailer to implement what they call "reasonable controls" when selling "firearms accessories" (more on that definition below). Some of these include, notifying the customer about laws on firearms manufacturing and having them acknowledge they read it. Then verifying their age and identification. This is difficult for online retailers and would probably require the customer to upload a selfie photo and a photo of their ID (there are third-party services that offer this ID verification but it will take time and money to implement and add time and cost to every transaction). Also, for online retailers, they must verify the shipping address matches the ID, and choose a shipping method that makes the driver check their ID and have THEM sign (not just any adult). In USPS, this is called "restricted delivery" which is different than "signature required". 98% of the time, that person won't be home to receive it, and since someone else can't sign for it, the shipment fails and the customer will have to pick it up at the post office after work. There is a lot there that is very difficult for online retailers, and some smaller dealers may choose to stop selling to CA. Also, it seems like many gun type people would shy away from a checkout process that requires them to send a photo of their ID to the seller.

Ok, so what are the "firearm accessories" that these "reasonable controls" apply to?

Section 3273.50 (c) “Firearm accessory” means an attachment or device designed or adapted to be inserted into, affixed onto, or used in conjunction with a firearm that is designed, intended, or functions to increase a firearm’s rate of fire or to increase the speed at which a person may reload a firearm or replace the magazine, or any other attachment or device described in subdivision (a) of Section 30515 of the Penal Code that may render a firearm an assault weapon when inserted into, affixed onto, or used in conjunction with a firearm. The term firearm accessory also includes any other device, tool, kit, part, or parts set that is clearly designed and intended for use in manufacturing firearms.

This definition seems to be firstly focused on things like binary or crank triggers, but could apply to just nicer triggers. Then it seems to focus on things like fixed mag devices that help a person crack the upper receiver faster like the AR Maglock / King Pin combo or the Juggernaut Hellfighter kit for AR rifles and pistols, maybe even just extended mag release buttons. Then it mentions the devices of Section 30515 which are the “features” that make up an “AW” in California… things like barrel shrouds (handguards), pistol grips, thumbhole stocks, adjustable stocks, folding stocks, flash hiders, forward pistol grips, etc.. Lastly it throws a large net to capture just about everything else by adding "includes any other device, tool, kit, part, or parts set that is clearly designed and intended for use in manufacturing firearms". This is so vague and we don’t know if springs, detents, lower parts kits, muzzle brakes, armorers wrenches, special vise blocks, reaction rods, etc. are included or not in that last sentence.

[sigfan91]

If only we could restrict voting like this.

[MajorSideburns]

By the wording of the law even an AR15 buffer tube wrench would be illegal.

[smle-man]

Good luck CA shooters.

[splithoof]

I can think of a specific group of gun owners who are applauding this…

[jarhead714]

New law or not, people are going to be selling parts to each other in parking lots left and right.

[abinsinia]

Converting a CA7 for example to semi-auto was a kind of grey area. It wasn't exactly illegal, but the government asserted it was illegal.

With this law you get this,

29180.

(a) For purposes of this chapter, “manufacturing” or “assembling” a firearm means to fabricate or construct a firearm, including through additive, subtractive, or other processes, or to fit together the component parts of a firearm to construct a firearm.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the “unlawful manufacture of firearms” includes any of the following:
...
(6) The manufacture of any of the following:
(I) Unsafe handguns, in violation of Section 32000.

This seems to mean you can't convert a CA7 to semi-auto, but also you can't swap slides on a glock to have an optics cut. You can't modify a trigger on any rostered hand guns. I'm not sure what other implications it has, but a lot of common stuff is becoming illegal it seems.

If you swap a 10rd magazine to a over 10rd magazines in a rostered handgun , does that manufactures an unsafe handgun ? Or 10rd factory original, for 10rd after market ?

[Snoopy47]

By the wording of the law even an AR15 buffer tube wrench would be illegal.

Well........ that particular wrench has many other applications (I used one similar, I'm sure a different SIZE to adjust spring rate of motorcycle shocks). So presume there is a Snap-On, or Craftsman solution (heck, probably even Harbor Freight).

My favorite "common tool" was Midway selling a brass roller for a bazillion dollars, and a hardware store had it in the gardening section as a walnut picker for like $20.

[k1dude]

So I guess aftermarket magwells make your pistol an assault weapon.

[Snoopy47]

The question becomes who will ship parts to CA. Otherwise it's pretty much unenforceable for range toys, with possibly CCW pistols requiring inspection.

Regardless, very cumbersome.

[sigfan91]

Ugh...there's a separate thread in the legal section of this forum discussing this so-called legislation. Looks like anything that goes into or onto a gun will be regulated.

I guess we should start stockpiling spare parts now, recoil springs especially, because they are wear items. Things will get a lot more expensive starting next year.