Is Penal Code 27530 still valid?

[Bolt_Action]

CA Penal code Section 27530 states

"No person shall sell or otherwise transfer ownership in a handgun unless the firearm bears either:
(a) The name of the manufacturer, the manufacturer's make or
model, and a manufacturer's serial number assigned to that firearm.
(b) The identification number or mark assigned to the firearm by
the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 23910."

I don't see how this makes the majority of handguns illegal to sell in this state, including handguns that have been certified for sale by the state (roster).

For example, the Bar-Sto BS40, which is "approved for sale in the state of CA", only has the serial number imprinted on the receiver and the manufacturer's name engraved on the slide. The same goes for the Browning Hi-Power and several other handguns.

What gives?

Also, my understanding is that all government required markings on a firearm must be present on the receiver, since that is technically the only part that is truly considered a "firearm", right? If that's so, then how come so many manufacturers only put their name and/or model information on slide (e.g. Beretta, Sig, Glock, etc.)?

If a manufacturer puts their make/model information on the slide and you replace the slide with an aftermarket piece (or you sell the frame separately from the slide), does this law make that sale illegal?

[six seven tango]

Bar-Sto puts their manufacturer info on the underside of the receiver just forward of the trigger guard as seen on their web site.

Manufacturer markings/serial numbers were not required until the GCA of 1968, so anything made prior to that is exempt.

...If that's so, then how come so many manufacturers only put their name and/or model information on slide (e.g. Beretta, Sig, Glock, etc.)?

Not sure what you're talking about here. I have several Berettas and Glocks and all of them have the manufacturer info and s/n on the receiver. Nothing says that they can't put name/model, etc on the slide in addition to the required location. The long, smooth side of a slide is a perfect "billboard", so why not use it. Just like many use the side of an AR mag well for decoration.

[Quiet]

Still valid.

Under Federal regulations...
Dependings on the markings and type of firearm, marking can also be on other places of the firearm (not just the receiver).

[Bolt_Action]

Bar-Sto puts their manufacturer info on the underside of the receiver just forward of the trigger guard as seen on their web site.

Manufacturer markings/serial numbers were not required until the GCA of 1968, so anything made prior to that is exempt.




Not sure what you're talking about here. I have several Berettas and Glocks and all of them have the manufacturer info and s/n on the receiver. Nothing says that they can't put name/model, etc on the slide in addition to the required location. The long, smooth side of a slide is a perfect "billboard", so why not use it. Just like many use the side of an AR mag well for decoration.

Yes, but in addition to the manufacturer's name they must also include the "make or model" information, and there isn't any. It's one of the three required markings. And they aren't the only one. I've never seen a Browning Hi-Power with make/model information anywhere on the gun, not even on the slide. They have the manufacturer info, they have the serial number, but there is no marking indicating the "model".

Also, as I said before, does this mean that if a manufacturer decides to put some of the required information on the slide instead of frame, you cannot transfer the stripped receiver (or a gun with a new aftermarket slide) in CA?

The Glock is a perfect example of what I'm talking about here. AFAIK Glock only puts their MODEL # (e.g. 17, 19, etc) on the slide. Therefore can you sell a Glock with an aftermarket slide in CA?

[stix213]

Yes, but in addition to the manufacturer's name they must also include the "make or model" information, and there isn't any. It's one of the three required markings. And they aren't the only one. I've never seen a Browning Hi-Power with make/model information anywhere on the gun, not even on the slide. They have the manufacturer info, they have the serial number, but there is no marking indicating the "model".

Also, as I said before, does this mean that if a manufacturer decides to put some of the required information on the slide instead of frame, you cannot transfer the stripped receiver (or a gun with a new aftermarket slide) in CA?

The Glock is a perfect example of what I'm talking about here. AFAIK Glock only puts their MODEL # (e.g. 17, 19, etc) on the slide. Therefore can you sell a Glock with an aftermarket slide in CA?

What makes you think the manufacturer info doesn't satisfy "make"? When "make" is listed, "model" then is not required.

[Bolt_Action]

What makes you think the manufacturer info doesn't satisfy "make"? When "make" is listed, "model" then is not required.

A Glock 17 has a "make" of Glock and a "model" of 17.

My thinking is that since the manufacturer must include both the manufacturer's name *and* the make/model, the make is not the same thing as the manufacturer's name, but is instead something entirely different.

For example the bar-sto ca approved pistol; the manufacturer's name "Bar-Sto Precision" is on the slide and frame, the serial number is on the frame, but where is the make or model? Same goes for the browning hi-power.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

"Make" and "manufacturer's name" are very often the same thing.

[six seven tango]

For example the bar-sto ca approved pistol; the manufacturer's name "Bar-Sto Precision" is on the slide and frame, the serial number is on the frame, but where is the make or model?

Like I said in my earlier post, it's on the bottom of the FRAME, just forward of the trigger guard. In the picture on the site I linked, it very clearly says Bar-Sto Pistol Division 29 Palms, CA USA.

Same goes for the browning hi-power.

And as Quiet posted,

Under Federal regulations...
Dependings on the markings and type of firearm, marking can also be on other places of the firearm (not just the receiver).

[Bolt_Action]

Like I said in my earlier post, it's on the bottom of the FRAME, just forward of the trigger guard. In the picture on the site I linked, it very clearly says Bar-Sto Pistol Division 29 Palms, CA USA.



And as Quiet posted,

Fine, I guess what people here are trying to say is that the name of the manufacturer and the "make" are somehow the same thing, despite being called out separately in the code.

So what would happen if you wanted to sell a Browning Hi-Power frame without the slide? Would this be illegal? The ONLY markings on the BHP frame are the serial number and proof marks.