<16” barrel, >26” OAL question.

[Quiet]

Sticky on how to legally be able to make an AR style pistol in CA.

[Quiet]

Under CA laws...

A firearm with a less than 16" barrel length is a "handgun".

A firearm with a 16" or greater barrel length is a "long gun".

A firearm can be classified as more than one type of firearm, if it also meets those definitions.

Which means a "handgun" can also be classified as an assault weapon, short barrel rifle, short barrel shotgun, unconventional pistol, and/or unsafe handgun.

If the AR style firearm is semi-auto and has a less than 16" rifled barrel and has a shoulder stock, then it meets CA's definition of a SBR.

If the AR style firearm is semi-auto and has a less than 16" rifled barrel and does not have a fixed magazine, then it meets CA's definition of an assault weapon.

If the AR style firearm is semi-auto and has a less than 16" rifled barrel and has a fixed magazine with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds, then it meets CA's definition of an assault weapon.

If the AR style firearm is semi-auto and has a less than 16" rifled barrel and has a fixed magazine with a capacity of less than 10 rounds, then it meets CA's definition of an unsafe handgun.
^Which means it's illegal to make in CA, but legal to transfer via exemption (LEO sale, PPT, out-of-state intra-familial gift).

If the AR style firearm is manually operated and has a less than 16" rifled barrel, then it meets CA's definition of an unsafe handgun.
^Which means it's illegal to make in CA, but legal to transfer via exemption (LEO sale, PPT, out-of-state intra-familial gift).
~Except for the Franklin Armory CA7 which passed CA DOJ safety testing and got listed on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. This makes it legal for Franklin Armory to make in CA and for it to be imported & transferred without needing an exemption.

If the AR style firearm is bolt-action or break-open and has a barrel length between 6"-15.99" and an overall length of 10.5" or greater and has a fixed magazine with a capacity of 0 rounds, then it is exempt from CA's unsafe handgun laws.
^Which means it's legal to make in CA, as long as the making complies with CA self-made firearm laws and CA SBR/SBS laws.
~CA DOJ BOF notice says it's not legal to change the configuration of these types of firearm while in CA.

If the AR style firearm is chambered for shotgun shells and has a less than 18" barrel, then it meets CA's definition of a SBS.

If the AR style firearm has a non-rifled barrel and the barrel length is less than 18" or the overall length is less than 26", then it meets CA's definition of an unconventional pistol.

[23ilfred]

[tonyxcom]

So why do you even bother asking what is legal and what isn't?

[ar15barrels]

As long as every single LEO that you ever interact with has those same policies, you will probably be fine.
It only takes one with a stick up his backside to make an example of someone who is violating victimless crime laws though.
Be sure you know which ones those are and avoid them.

[23ilfred]

Delete

[tonyxcom]

It's hard to figure out what you point is with all the rambling and preaching.

[23ilfred]

Delete

[tonyxcom]

You forgot to include the 2nd amendment.

[23ilfred]

Delete

[tonyxcom]

Some people need simple explications. Others can comprehend complex information.

Says the guy who said the following INCORRECT information.

[23ilfred]

The original post was asking for clarification on information.

[23ilfred]

Says the guy who said the following INCORRECT information.

That information is for federal laws. I was asking for more information clarifying what I thought is true or not

[tonyxcom]

That information is for federal laws. I was asking for more information clarifying what I thought is true or not

Federal or not, your summary and understanding of it was wrong.

[23ilfred]

Federal or not, your summary and understanding of it was wrong.