California Concealed Carry Laws

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Constitutional Carry No

Open Carry Mostly Prohibited

Permit honored in 27 states

California honors 0 states

California Gun Laws

Open Carry

Mostly Prohibited

Prohibited except in unincorporated areas where the county has not passed any laws prohibiting open carry

Restricted

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

Varies by county or city

Informational

State Parks

Per US 9th Cir Ct of Appeals on 9/19/24 carry in State Parks is illegal

Restricted

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

California now prohibits carry in places "having a primary purpose of dispensing alcoholic beverages for onsite consumption." It is our opinion that this could include the bar area within a traditional restaurant. Further, when carrying one cannot consume an alcoholic beverage or controlled substance.

Restricted

Firearms at Colleges

Concealed guns on campus prohibited by law.

Restricted

Firearms at K-12 Schools

Firearms must be unloaded and in locked cases within a vehicle.

Restricted

Church Carry

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis

Informational

Hotels

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67

Informational

Secure Storage Requirements

A person commits the crime of “criminal storage of a firearm in the third degree” if the person keeps any firearm within any premises and negligently stores or leaves a firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should know, that a child is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian, unless reasonable action is taken by the person to secure the firearm against access by the child.

Restricted

Magazine Capacity Limitations

Magazines with capacity over 10 may not be imported/brought into the state

Restricted

Suppressor Ownership

Prohibited

Restricted

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Handguns must be unloaded and stored in a locked container. This does not include the utility or glove compartment.

Restricted

Firearm Law Uniformity

Uniform throughout state

Permitted

Permit Training Requirements

Each county can set forth the training requirements to qualify to apply.

Informational

Non-Resident Permits

Certain non-residents of CA may apply for a non-resident permit. See Case No. 2:23-cv-10169-SPG

Restricted

Constitutional Carry

Restricted

Duty to Retreat

No Duty to Retreat

Permitted

Places Off Limits

*2024: Recent CA Laws have made many public places off limits. These laws are currently being challenged in court. Until the legal battles sorts out this section is going to be outdated.

The state capital, any legislative office, any office of the Governor or other constitutional officer or any hearing room in which any acommittee of the senate or assembly is conducting a hearing, or upon the grounds of the state capital.
The immediate vicinity of a polling place without written authorization.
Within the vicinity of a public demonstration (picketing or other informational activities) including within a vehicle in your control.
All courtrooms.
Public places when masked so as to hide his/her identity.
Anytime when you consume any alcoholic beverage.
Any place dispensing alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption.
When under the influence of any medication or drug.

Informational

State Contact Info

California Bureau of Firearms
PO Box 820200
Sacramento, CA 94203
916-227-7527
www.oag.ca.gov

Informational

Permit Issuing Authority

County sheriff

Informational

Length of Permit Validity

2 years

Informational

Permit Application Process

Varies by county. Contact your county sheriff office

Informational

California Permit Reciprocity

Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →

Your California resident permit is honored in 27 states

AK AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY MI MN MO MS MT NC NE OH OK SD TN TX UT VA VT WI

Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.

California Gun Laws

Open Carry

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

State Parks

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

Firearms at Colleges

Firearms at K-12 Schools

Church Carry

Hotels

Secure Storage Requirements

Magazine Capacity Limitations

Suppressor Ownership

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Firearm Law Uniformity

Permit Training Requirements

Non-Resident Permits

Constitutional Carry

Duty to Retreat

Places Off Limits

State Contact Info

Permit Issuing Authority

Length of Permit Validity

Permit Application Process

California Permit Reciprocity

Articles about California

Victory! 9th Circuit Delivers Crushing Blow to California's Ammunition Background Check Scheme

Ninth Circuit Slaps Down California’s Gun Advertising Ban as Unconstitutional

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down California’s One-Gun-a-Month Law as Unconstitutional