What kind of gun can a felon own in California?
Asked by: Dr. Leila Boyer | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (74 votes)
If you're a convicted felon found with a firearm in California, you're facing serious charges under California Penal Code 29800 (PC 29800). This law prohibits felons from owning, possessing, or purchasing firearms.
How long before a convicted felon can own a gun in California?
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. This is generally uncommon, and most felons remain permanently barred from owning guns.
What weapons can felons have in California?
They are also prohibited from owning, purchasing, receiving, or controlling firearms. People with outstanding felony warrants are also forbidden from owning or possessing a gun. It is legal to purchase, possess, or carry a stun gun or taser for lawful self-defense as defined under Penal Code 22610 PC.
Can you get your gun rights back as a felon 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 live in a house with a gun in California?
Under California Penal Code Section 29800, it is illegal for anyone convicted of a felony to own, possess, purchase, or receive a firearm. This applies to all types of felonies, including non-violent and white collar crimes. Even if your offense seems unrelated to gun use, the prohibition still applies.
Can felons own guns? New Justice Department plan could restore rights | Morning in America
Can a convicted felon go to a gun range in California?
It is illegal to own, use or possess any firearms or bullets if you have a felony on your record and I see a lot of cases where people are going to the shooting range and shooting a weapon.
Is California a felon-friendly state?
The state passed the bill to make it easier for people with felony convictions to find employment. The new law automatically seals the records for certain non-sex offender-related, non-violent offenses. This bill applies primarily to individuals previously convicted of a felony, although eligibility requirements exist.
What felonies cannot be expunged in California?
Crimes such as lewd acts with a minor (Penal Code §288), statutory rape, and possession or distribution of child pornography cannot be expunged. These offenses are considered too severe due to the long-term harm they cause and public safety concerns.
Can I own a gun if my family member is a felon?
Under federal law, felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Some states return a felon's civil rights to own a gun after serving their sentence or a waiting period. If you live with a felon, you have to make sure gun access is limited so they don't have constructive possession.
What is considered a firearm for a felon?
A firearm, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4), is made when a handgun or other weapon with an overall length of less than 26 inches, or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length, is assembled or produced from a weapon originally assembled or produced only as a rifle.
What are felons not allowed to own?
Felons in California face a lifetime ban on owning or possessing firearms. This ban applies to both state and federal felonies, and expunging a conviction does not restore gun rights. In some cases, individuals may petition to restore these rights, but this is only possible for certain offenses.
Can felons hunt in California?
Once this ban is in place, you cannot legally hunt with a firearm in California unless your rights are restored. Hunting with a bow is still legal for most individuals with felony convictions, as long as the bow is not classified under the state's prohibited weapons laws.
Can a felon own a BB gun in California?
Can I own a BB gun or air rifle with a felony conviction? Generally, yes, if not on probation. Most BB guns, air rifles, and airsoft guns are not considered “firearms” under California law because they use air pressure rather than explosive force to propel projectiles.
Can two felons live in the same house?
If you have completed your sentence in full, nobody can restrict who you live with. Two felons can live together without any legal consequences.
How much does it cost to restore your gun rights?
Application Fees: Some states require an application fee ranging from $50 to $500 depending on how complex the case is. Legal Representation: Hiring an attorney who specializes in firearms law could set you back anywhere from $1,000 to over $5,000 if your case requires extensive work or litigation.
What is the best state for felons?
50-State Comparison: Limits on Use of Criminal Record in Employment, Licensing & Housing
- Utah. ...
- Vermont. ...
- Virgin Islands. ...
- Virginia. ...
- Washington. ...
- West Virginia. ...
- Wisconsin. ...
- Wyoming. Wyoming has no laws restricting consideration of criminal record in employment, including limits on application-stage employer inquiries.
Can a felon get his gun rights back in California?
- If you can get a felony conviction reduced, you may be able to get your right to own or possess a firearm reinstated. Not all felony convictions can be reduced, however. Additionally, some reductions do not reinstate these rights.
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years in California?
If you have an old felony conviction on your record in California, you might wonder if it will still appear on background checks. The short answer is yes, a felony stays on your record unless you take action to remove it. In California, criminal convictions don't disappear on their own.
What is the 7 year rule 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.
What is the new law for felons in California?
SB 731 – Automatic Sealing for Non-Violent Felonies
A conviction can significantly impact a person's ability to obtain employment, maintain professional licenses, and more. California law has tried to make this transition easier. SB 731 passed in 2022.
What is the 7 minute rule in California?
Under federal law, an employer can round down working time lasting seven minutes or less. This can be disappointing, but the California Court of Appeals indicates that employees should at least break even in a rounding system if they work long enough.
What is the 3 felony rule in California?
California's 3-Strikes and You're Out Law went into effect on March 7, 1994. Its purpose is to dramatically increase punishment for persons convicted of a felony who have previously been convicted of one or more "serious" or "violent" felonies.
What states allow non-violent felons to own guns?
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.