Can a felon live in a house with guns in California?

Asked by: Golden Bogisich  |  Last update: July 11, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (70 votes)

The short answer is no. California has instituted some of the strictest gun control laws in the country, and conviction of any felony and certain misdemeanors will render you ineligible to own or possess a gun in California.

Can a felon live with someone who owns a gun in California?

Having a Gun & Living With a Felon

You can still own a gun if you live with a felon in California. However, it is not a good idea to keep your gun in your home; instead, you should keep it in an offsite storage unit under only your name.

Can a felon live in the same house as someone with a gun?

Generally speaking if there is another person living in the house who is a gun owner, the answer is yes. A felon is prohibited from ``possessing or receiving'' a firearm. But someone else in the house can very well own a gun and as long as the felon does not ``possess or receive'' it, there is no violation.

Can a felon be in the car with someone who has a gun?

So long as that person is the sole possessor of the firearm and that the convicted felon is not in a position to exercise control over it, that's fine. For instance, the individual must be carrying a firearm on their person, they cannot keep it in the glove box and have a convicted felon in the car.

Is California a felon-friendly state?

California is considered a friendly state for people who have been convicted of crimes. One reason is the limits we place on an employer's ability to use your criminal history against you unless it directly relates to the job. Our Ban the Box law helps people with criminal convictions find jobs.

Can a FELON live in same house as a FIREARM?

43 related questions found

What kind of weapons can a felon have in California?

Convicted felons cannot carry pepper spray or tear gas-type weapons, and you cannot carry any TASER-type weapons. After you are off parole, you can carry a folding knife in your pocket or a fixed-blade knife in a sheath in plain sight (open carry). You can also apply to have your rights restored.

How long does a felony stay on your record in California?

A felony will stay on your record forever in California unless you choose to take action and get the conviction removed. This is called the “expungement process” and generally requires the help of a legal representative to get underway. Rather than the federal courts, state courts handle the expungement process.

Can a felon get gun rights back in California?

In general, there are two basic options to have your gun rights restored after a conviction. They include having your felony case reduced to a misdemeanor and receiving a pardon from the Governor of California.

Can a felon be around someone with a concealed carry?

In general, the answer is yes, a legal firearm owner can carry a handgun in their vehicle while having a convicted felon as a passenger, even if the felon is the one driving the vehicle.

Does the 2nd Amendment protect felons?

The Second Amendment Permits The Disarming of “Dangerous” Felons. Each year, more than 8,000 people are convicted for unlawful possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). About 90% of those cases arose from gun possession by a felon.

Can a felon live in a house with another felon?

Absolutely, if they are not on probation or parole. If they are, then it depends on the rules set for their probation or parole. Usually, even then, they can normally live with another family member who is also a felon.

Can you anonymously report a felon with a gun?

You'll be able to share important information directly with ATF in a way that's simple and anonymous. You can even upload pictures. In the app, just choose "ATF - Anonymous Tip Line" and your tip will be confidentially sent directly to the ATF Field Division closest to you.

Can a felon buy a house in California?

If you have a felony on your record and are wondering if you can still buy a house, you've come to the right place. The answer is a resounding yes. Thankfully, federal and state governments don't have laws restricting homeownership for the formerly incarcerated — even if you have a felony conviction.

Can a felon live in the same house with someone who owns a gun in PA?

In Pennsylvania, inclusive of Bucks County and all counties, a convicted felon cannot own, be in the same place with, or use a firearm, even if the firearm is legal or legally owned by another individual in the household. There is no exception to the rule.

Can a felon own a crossbow in California?

Answer: Felons may not possess firearms at any time (firearms are defined in California Penal Code, section 12001(b)). Crossbows are not considered archery equipment or a firearm, but they are considered to be a deadly weapon and can be used during rifle seasons.

What states allow felons to own firearms?

All states except Vermont generally restrict firearm access after a person has been convicted of a felony, mirroring federal law in this area, which generally prohibits firearm access after an individual has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.

Can my wife own a gun if I'm a felon in California?

So you can own a firearm if you're married to a convicted felon, but unless you live in different homes entirely, firearms cannot physically be in your home. If you want to live with your spouse without the risk of them going to prison, you need to remove your firearms from your home.

What rights do felons lose in California?

  • What is the New Law for Felons in California?
  • Loss of Voting Rights During Incarceration or On Parole.
  • Lifetime Ban on Owning, Possessing, or Purchasing Firearms in California.
  • Lifetime Ban on Serving on Juries After a Felony Conviction.
  • Can Convicted Felons Hold Public Office in California?

Can a felon own a BB gun in California?

Since pellet guns and BB guns are not considered firearms under California law, you should be legally permitted to own and possess them despite your felony conviction.

What kind of gun can a felon own in California?

Theoretically, if you are convicted of any felony, then you are subject to a lifetime ban. In California, most convicted felons face a lifetime ban on owning firearms. However, in rare cases, gun rights may be restored after 10 years if the felony is reduced to a misdemeanor and meets specific criteria.

What is the 10 year ban in California?

For any person convicted on or after January 1, 2024, of a misdemeanor violation of specified provisions in Penal Code sections 25400, 25850, 26350, and 26400, prohibits the possession of a firearm for ten years after the conviction.

How far back does a gun background check go in California?

The state began saving data about firearm purchases in 2014 for long guns and 1990 for handguns, so if your last purchase was before then, you are not in the state's database. To get into the database, you can register a firearm using this form, which costs $19.

Do felonies go away after 7 years?

Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.

Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years in California?

After employers in California make a conditional employment offer, they may order a criminal background check that goes back only seven years (with some exceptions). Therefore, employers cannot see convictions older than seven years and cannot pass you over based on seven-plus old convictions.

How to remove felony from record in California?

How To Get A Felony Expunged In California
  1. Step 1: Get an experienced attorney.
  2. Step 2: Get and complete the necessary forms.
  3. Step 3: File for expungement.
  4. Step 4: Prepare for your hearing by meeting with your attorney.
  5. Step 5: Your court hearing.
  6. Step 6: What happens next. If the Court grants your petition: