Firearms in California (2026)
19 rules on the books across California, 5 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Local Firearms Preemption
Whether your state expressly bars cities from passing their own firearms ordinances, and what (if anything) cities can still regulate.
Concealed Carry
State concealed carry licensing, reciprocity with other states, and where concealed carry is prohibited statewide regardless of local rules.
California: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsCalifornia regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2…
Read full rule →San Jose
Heavy RestrictionsSan Jose Police Department issues California concealed carry weapon (CCW) permits under state law, applying objective…
Read full rule →Los Angeles
Some RestrictionsPenal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. Los Angeles residents apply through the…
Read full rule →Los Angeles County
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. The LA County Sheriff issues…
Read full rule →San Diego
Some RestrictionsPenal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. San Diego residents apply through the…
Read full rule →Santa Clara County
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. The Santa Clara County…
Read full rule →Open Carry
State rules on visibly carrying a firearm in public, including who may open carry and where open carry is prohibited statewide.
California: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsCalifornia broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and…
Read full rule →Los Angeles
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia bans open carry of handguns under Penal Code section 26350 and openly carried unloaded long guns in…
Read full rule →San Diego
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia bans open carry of handguns under Penal Code section 26350 and openly carried unloaded long guns in…
Read full rule →San Jose
Some RestrictionsCalifornia prohibits open carry of loaded and unloaded handguns and long guns in public statewide, leaving San Jose…
Read full rule →Los Angeles County
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code section 26350 bans open carry of unloaded handguns in incorporated areas, and section 26400 bans…
Read full rule →Santa Clara County
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code section 26350 bans open carry of unloaded handguns in incorporated areas, and section 26400 bans…
Read full rule →Firearms in Vehicles
State rules on transporting firearms in private vehicles, locked-case requirements, loaded vs unloaded, and whether locals can add restrictions.
California: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsCalifornia prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns…
Read full rule →San Jose
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code section 25400 prohibits concealed carry in vehicles without a permit, and transport must follow…
Read full rule →Los Angeles
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in Los Angeles to be unloaded…
Read full rule →San Diego
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in San Diego to be unloaded…
Read full rule →Santa Clara County
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in Santa Clara County to be…
Read full rule →Los Angeles County
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in LA County to be unloaded…
Read full rule →