Night vision sights CA legal? [No illuminator on the gun, YES]

[2nd4ever]

Hi folks:
I can't seem to find a definitive answer regarding the legality of night vision sights in CA. One on forum, there's a discussion that Gen0 using infrared may not be legal but Gen1 and higher are ok?
I would appreciate any guidance.
Thanks!

[redcliff]

The short version is that if they have no active infra-red light source you can use them and fish & game codes prevent you from taking animals with them.

[Merc1138]

The short version is that if they have no active infra-red light source you can use them and fish & game codes prevent you from taking animals with them.

Yup, that's basically it. As long as there's no IR illuminator it's fine.

However... a lot of cheap "gen 1 and 2"(I've even seen some supposed 3's with this) come with an IR illuminator built in since that's not a problem in most places and it brightens things up.

edit: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di...0&file=466-469

Check there and read the law for yourself. PC 468. It's an incredibly stupid and dated law based on 1940's technology due to the "projected infrared light source" bit.

[SilentPea]

Best summary I've seen on calguns (or anywhere else for that matter):
is from Quiet on this post

The law [PC 468] was written by people who were relying on how WW2/KW era active IR night vision scopes worked. The law has never been updated to keep up with technology.


CA laws/regulations summary on night vision devices...

Active IR scope with magnification = illegal [PC 468]
Active IR scope with no magnification = legal

Passive IR scope with magnification = legal
Passive IR scope with magnification and an IR illuminator = illegal [PC 468]
Passive IR scope with no magnifcation = legal
Passive IR scope with no magnification and an IR illuminator = legal

Active IR goggles with magnification = legal
Active IR goggles with no magnification = legal

Passive IR goggles with magnification = legal
Passive IR goggles with magnification and an IR illuminator = legal
Passive IR googles with no magnification = legal
Passive IR goggles with no magnification and an IR illuminator = legal

Using any "night vision equipment" to hunt or aid in hunting = illegal [FGC 2005(c)]