Firearms in San Diego, CA (2026)
4 verified firearms rules for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Local Firearms Preemption
California Penal Code section 53071 preempts almost all local firearm regulation, so San Diego cannot license or restrict gun ownership beyond state law. Narrow zoning, storage, and sensitive-place rules remain enforceable citywide.
California preempts most local San Diego firearm laws
Few RestrictionsConcealed Carry
Penal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. San Diego residents apply through the San Diego County Sheriff under shall-issue rules following Bruen, but SB-2 sensitive-place limits apply citywide.
Concealed carry needs a CCW from SD County Sheriff
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Penal Code § 25400
(a) A person is guilty of carrying a concealed firearm when the person does any of the following: (1) Carries concealed within any vehicle that is under the person's control or direction any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. (2) Carries concealed upon the person any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person. (3) Ca...
Open Carry
California bans open carry of handguns under Penal Code section 26350 and openly carried unloaded long guns in incorporated areas under section 26400. San Diego is fully incorporated, so open carry is illegal everywhere in the city.
Open carry of handguns and long guns banned citywide
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Penal Code § 26350
(a) (1) A person is guilty of openly carrying an unloaded handgun when that person carries upon his or her person an exposed and unloaded handgun outside a vehicle while in or on any of the following: (A) A public place or public street in an incorporated city or city and county. (B) A public street in a prohibited area of an unincorporated area of a county or city and county. (C) A public plac...
Firearms in Vehicles
California Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in San Diego to be unloaded, with handguns inside a locked container or trunk. Long guns must be unloaded but may ride in the cabin if encased.
Firearms in vehicles must be unloaded and locked
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Penal Code § 25610
Section 25400 shall not be construed to prohibit any citizen of the United States over 18 years of age who resides or is temporarily within this state, and who is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm, from transporting or carrying any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person for any purpose specif...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Firearms in San Diego County →