ARTICLE 3. Exceptions to Firearm Safety Certificate Requirement [31700. - 31835.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 3.

in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31700. Section 31700.

(a) The following persons, properly identified, are exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615: (1) Any active or honorably retired peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2. (2) Any active or honorably retired federal officer or law enforcement agent. (3) Any reserve peace officer, as defined in Section 832.6. (4) Any person who has successfully completed the course of training specified in Section 832. (5) A firearms dealer licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, who is acting in the course and scope of that person’s activities as a person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive. (6) A federally licensed collector who is acquiring or being loaned a firearm that is a curio or relic, as defined in Section 478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, who has a current certificate of eligibility issued by the department pursuant to Section 26710. (7) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a person to whom a firearm is being returned, where the person receiving the firearm is the owner of the firearm. (8) A family member of a peace officer or deputy sheriff from a local agency who receives a firearm pursuant to Section 50081 of the Government Code. (9) Any individual who has a valid concealed weapons permit issued pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 26150) of Division 5. (10) An active or honorably retired member of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or the active reserve components of the United States, where individuals in those organizations are properly identified. For purposes of this section, proper identification includes the Armed Forces Identification Card, the Veteran Health Identification Card issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or other written documentation certifying that the individual is an active or honorably retired member. (11) Any person who is authorized to carry loaded firearms pursuant to Section 26025 or 26030. (12) Persons who are the holders of a special weapons permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 32650 or 33300, pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 18900) of Chapter 1 of Division 5 of Title 2, or pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 32700) of Chapter 6 of this division. (b) The following persons who take title or possession of a firearm by operation of law in a representative capacity, until or unless they transfer title ownership of the firearm to themselves in a personal capacity, are exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615: (1) The executor, personal representative, or administrator of an estate. (2) A secured creditor or an agent or employee thereof when the firearms are possessed as collateral for, or as a result of, a default under a security agreement under the Commercial Code. (3) A levying officer, as defined in Section 481.140, 511.060, or 680.260 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (4) A receiver performing the functions of a receiver. (5) A trustee in bankruptcy performing the duties of a trustee. (6) An assignee for the benefit of creditors performing the functions of an assignee. (7) The trustee of a trust that includes a firearm and that was part of a will that created the trust. (8) A person acting pursuant to the person’s power of attorney in accordance with Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4000) of the Probate Code. (9) A limited or general conservator appointed by a court pursuant to the Probate Code or Welfare and Institutions Code. (10) A guardian ad litem appointed by a court pursuant to Section 372 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (11) The trustee of a trust that includes a firearm that is under court supervision. (12) A special administrator appointed by a court pursuant to Section 8540 of the Probate Code. (13) A guardian appointed by a court pursuant to Section 1500 of the Probate Code. (c) A person, 18 years of age or older, validly identified, who has been issued a valid hunting license that is unexpired is exempt from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615, except as to handguns. (d) A person who takes possession of a firearm and complies with Section 27922 by delivering the firearm to a law enforcement agency is exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615. The exemption set forth in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) shall not apply to the return of that firearm to that person, if the person has requested the firearm and is eligible to receive it. (e) The firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615 shall not apply to a person taking possession of a firearm pursuant to Section 27882 or 27883.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31705. Section 31705.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to any sale, delivery, or transfer of firearms made to an authorized law enforcement representative of any city, county, city and county, or state, or of the federal government, for exclusive use by that governmental agency if, prior to the sale, delivery, or transfer of these firearms, written authorization from the head of the agency authorizing the transaction is presented to the person from whom the purchase, delivery, or transfer is being made. (b) Proper written authorization is defined as verifiable written certification from the head of the agency by which the purchaser or transferee is employed, identifying the employee as an individual authorized to conduct the transaction, and authorizing the transaction for the exclusive use of the agency by which that person is employed. (c) Within 10 days of the date a handgun, and commencing January 1, 2014, any firearm, is acquired by the agency, a record of the same shall be entered as an institutional weapon into the Automated Firearms System (AFS) via the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) by the law enforcement or state agency. Any agency without access to AFS shall arrange with the sheriff of the county in which the agency is located to input this information via this system.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31710. Section 31710.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (a) The loan is made by an authorized law enforcement representative of a city, county, or city and county, or of the state or federal government. (b) The loan is made to a peace officer employed by that agency and authorized to carry a firearm. (c) The loan is made for the carrying and use of that firearm by that peace officer in the course and scope of the officer’s duties.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31715. Section 31715.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of a firearm by a law enforcement agency to a peace officer pursuant to Section 10334 of the Public Contract Code. (b) Within 10 days of the date that a handgun, and commencing January 1, 2014, any firearm, is sold, delivered, or transferred pursuant to Section 10334 of the Public Contract Code to that peace officer, the name of the officer and the make, model, serial number, and other identifying characteristics of the firearm being sold, delivered, or transferred shall be entered into the Automated Firearms System (AFS) via the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) by the law enforcement or state agency that sold, delivered, or transferred the firearm, provided, however, that if the firearm is not a handgun and does not have a serial number, identification number, or identification mark assigned to it, that fact shall be noted in AFS. Any agency without access to AFS shall arrange with the sheriff of the county in which the agency is located to input this information via this system.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31720. Section 31720.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of a firearm by a law enforcement agency to a retiring peace officer who is authorized to carry a firearm pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 26300) of Division 5. (b) Within 10 days of the date that a handgun, and commencing January 1, 2014, any firearm, is sold, delivered, or transferred to that retiring peace officer, the name of the officer and the make, model, serial number, and other identifying characteristics of the firearm being sold, delivered, or transferred shall be entered into the Automated Firearms System (AFS) via the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) by the law enforcement or state agency that sold, delivered, or transferred the firearm, provided, however, that if the firearm is not a handgun and does not have a serial number, identification number, or identification mark assigned to it, that fact shall be noted in AFS. Any agency without access to AFS shall arrange with the sheriff of the county in which the agency is located to input this information via this system.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31725. Section 31725.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to a sale, delivery, or transfer of firearms if both of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) The sale, delivery, or transfer is to an authorized representative of a city, city and county, county, or state government, or of the federal government, and is for the governmental entity. (2) The entity is acquiring the weapon as part of an authorized, voluntary program in which the entity is buying or receiving weapons from private individuals. (b) Any weapons acquired pursuant to this section shall be disposed of pursuant to the applicable provisions of Section 34000 or Sections 18000 and 18005.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31730. Section 31730.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, loan, or transfer of a firearm made by an authorized law enforcement representative of a city, county, city and county, or state, or of the federal government, to any public or private nonprofit historical society, museum, or institutional collection, or the purchase or receipt of that firearm by that public or private nonprofit historical society, museum, or institutional collection, if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The entity receiving the firearm is open to the public. (b) The firearm prior to delivery is deactivated or rendered inoperable. (c) The firearm is not subject to any of the following: (1) Sections 18000 and 18005. (2) Division 4 (commencing with Section 18250) of Title 2. (3) Section 34000. (4) Sections 34005 and 34010. (d) The firearm is not prohibited by other provisions of law from being sold, delivered, or transferred to the public at large. (e) Prior to delivery, the entity receiving the firearm submits a written statement to the law enforcement representative stating that the firearm will not be restored to operating condition, and will either remain with that entity, or if subsequently disposed of, will be transferred in accordance with the applicable provisions listed in Section 16575 and, if applicable, Section 31615. (f) Within 10 days of the date that the firearm is sold, loaned, delivered, or transferred to that entity, all of the following information shall be reported to the department in a manner prescribed by the department: (1) The name of the government entity delivering the firearm. (2) The make, model, serial number, and other identifying characteristics of the firearm. (3) The name of the person authorized by the entity to take possession of the firearm. (g) In the event of a change in the status of the designated representative, the entity shall notify the department of a new representative within 30 days.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31735. Section 31735.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, loan, or transfer of a firearm made by any person other than a representative of an authorized law enforcement agency to any public or private nonprofit historical society, museum, or institutional collection, if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The entity receiving the firearm is open to the public. (b) The firearm is deactivated or rendered inoperable prior to delivery. (c) The firearm is not of a type prohibited from being sold, delivered, or transferred to the public. (d) Prior to delivery, the entity receiving the firearm submits a written statement to the person selling, loaning, or transferring the firearm stating that the firearm will not be restored to operating condition, and will either remain with that entity, or if subsequently disposed of, will be transferred in accordance with the applicable provisions listed in Section 16575 and, if applicable, with Section 31615. (e) If title to a handgun, and commencing January 1, 2014, any firearm, is being transferred to the public or private nonprofit historical society, museum, or institutional collection, then the designated representative of that entity shall, within 30 days of taking possession of that firearm, forward by prepaid mail or deliver in person to the Department of Justice, a single report signed by both parties to the transaction, which includes all of the following information: (1) Information identifying the person representing the public or private historical society, museum, or institutional collection. (2) Information on how title was obtained and from whom. (3) A description of the firearm in question. (4) A copy of the written statement referred to in subdivision (d). (f) The report forms that are to be completed pursuant to this section shall be provided by the Department of Justice. (g) In the event of a change in the status of the designated representative, the entity shall notify the department of a new representative within 30 days.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31740. Section 31740.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to sales, deliveries, or transfers of firearms between or to importers and manufacturers of firearms licensed to engage in that business pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31745. Section 31745.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 shall not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of a handgun to a person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, where the licensee is receiving the handgun in the course and scope of the licensee’s activities as a person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31750. Section 31750.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm if all of the following conditions exist: (a) The person loaning the firearm is at all times within the presence of the person being loaned the firearm. (b) The loan is for a lawful purpose. (c) The loan does not exceed three days in duration. (d) The individual receiving the firearm is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm. (e) The person loaning the firearm is 18 years of age or older. (f) The person being loaned the firearm is 18 years of age or older.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31755. Section 31755.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the delivery of a firearm to a gunsmith for service or repair, or to the return of the firearm to its owner by the gunsmith, or to the delivery of a firearm by a gunsmith to a person licensed pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code for service or repair and the return of the firearm to the gunsmith.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31760. Section 31760.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of firearms if all of the following requirements are satisfied: (a) The sale, delivery, or transfer is made by a person who resides in this state. (b) The sale, delivery, or transfer is made to a person who resides outside this state and is licensed pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto. (c) The sale, delivery, or transfer is in accordance with Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31765. Section 31765.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm to a person 18 years of age or older for the purposes of shooting at targets if the loan occurs on the premises of a target facility that holds a business or regulatory license or on the premises of any club or organization organized for the purposes of practicing shooting at targets upon established ranges, whether public or private, if the firearm is at all times kept within the premises of the target range or on the premises of the club or organization.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31770. Section 31770.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to deliveries, transfers, or returns of firearms made pursuant to any of the following: (a) Sections 18000 and 18005. (b) Division 4 (commencing with Section 18250) of Title 2. (c) Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 33850) of Division 11. (d) Sections 34005 and 34010.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31780. Section 31780.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of unloaded firearms by a dealer to a person who resides outside this state and is licensed pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31785. Section 31785.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of unloaded firearms to a wholesaler if the firearms are being returned to the wholesaler and are intended as merchandise in the wholesaler’s business.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31790. Section 31790.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of firearms if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (a) The firearms are unloaded. (b) The sale, delivery, or transfer is made by one dealer to another dealer, upon proof of compliance with the requirements of Section 27555. (c) The firearms are intended as merchandise in the receiving dealer’s business.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31800. Section 31800.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of an unloaded firearm by a dealer who also operates a target facility that holds a business or regulatory license on the premises of the building designated in the license or whose building designated in the license is on the premises of any club or organization organized for the purposes of practicing shooting at targets upon established ranges, whether public or private, to a person at that target facility or that club or organization, if the firearm is at all times kept within the premises of the target range or on the premises of the club or organization.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31805. Section 31805.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of unloaded firearms to a wholesaler as merchandise in the wholesaler’s business by a manufacturer or importer licensed to engage in that business pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, or by another wholesaler, if the sale, delivery, or transfer is made in accordance with Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31810. Section 31810.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to or affect the following circumstances: (a) The loan of a handgun, and commencing January 1, 2015, any firearm, to a minor by the minor’s parent or legal guardian, if both of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) The minor is being loaned the firearm for the purposes of engaging in a lawful, recreational sport, including, but not limited to, competitive shooting, or agricultural, ranching, or hunting activity or hunting education, or a motion picture, television, or video production, or entertainment or theatrical event, the nature of which involves the use of a firearm. (2) The duration of the loan does not exceed the amount of time that is reasonably necessary to engage in the lawful, recreational sport, including, but not limited to, competitive shooting, or agricultural, ranching, or hunting activity or hunting education, or a motion picture, television, or video production, or entertainment or theatrical event, the nature of which involves the use of a firearm. (b) The loan of a handgun, and commencing January 1, 2015, any firearm, to a minor by a person who is not the minor’s parent or legal guardian, if all of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) The minor is accompanied by the minor’s parent or legal guardian when the loan is made, or the minor has the written consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian, which is presented at the time of the loan, or earlier. (2) The minor is being loaned the firearm for the purpose of engaging in a lawful, recreational sport, including, but not limited to, competitive shooting, or agricultural, ranching, or hunting activity or hunting education, or a motion picture, television, or video production, or entertainment or theatrical event, the nature of which involves the use of a firearm. (3) The duration of the loan does not exceed the amount of time that is reasonably necessary to engage in the lawful, recreational sport, including, but not limited to, competitive shooting, or agricultural, ranching, or hunting activity or hunting education, or a motion picture, television, or video production, or entertainment or theatrical event, the nature of which involves the use of a firearm. (4) The duration of the loan does not, in any event, exceed 10 days.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31815. Section 31815.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm if all of the following requirements are satisfied: (a) The loan is infrequent, as defined in Section 16730. (b) The firearm is unloaded. (c) The loan is made by a person who is neither a dealer nor a federal firearms licensee pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code. (d) The loan is made to a person 18 years of age or older. (e) The loan is for use solely as a prop in a motion picture, television, video, theatrical, or other entertainment production or event.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31820. Section 31820.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm if all of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) The firearm is unloaded. (2) The loan is made by a person who is not a dealer but is a federal firearms licensee pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code. (3) The loan is made to a person who possesses a valid entertainment firearms permit issued pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29500) of Division 8. (4) The firearm is loaned for use solely as a prop in a motion picture, television, video, theatrical, or other entertainment production or event. (b) The person loaning the firearm pursuant to this section shall retain a photocopy of the entertainment firearms permit as proof of compliance with this requirement.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31825. Section 31825.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) The firearm is unloaded. (2) The loan is made by a dealer. (3) The loan is made to a person who possesses a valid entertainment firearms permit issued pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29500) of Division 8. (4) The firearm is loaned solely for use as a prop in a motion picture, television, video, theatrical, or other entertainment production or event. (b) The dealer shall retain a photocopy of the entertainment firearms permit as proof of compliance with this requirement.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31830. Section 31830.

(a) Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of an unloaded firearm to a consultant-evaluator by a person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, if the loan does not exceed 45 days from the date of delivery. (b) At the time of the loan, the consultant-evaluator shall provide the following information, which the dealer shall retain for two years: (1) A photocopy of a valid, current, government-issued identification to determine the consultant-evaluator’s identity, including, but not limited to, a California driver’s license, identification card, or passport. (2) A photocopy of the consultant-evaluator’s valid, current certificate of eligibility. (3) A letter from the person licensed as an importer, manufacturer, or dealer pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code, with whom the consultant-evaluator has a bona fide business relationship. The letter shall detail the bona fide business purposes for which the firearm is being loaned and confirm that the consultant-evaluator is being loaned the firearm as part of a bona fide business relationship. (4) The signature of the consultant-evaluator on a form indicating the date the firearm is loaned and the last day the firearm may be returned.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31833. Section 31833.

(a) Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm other than a handgun or semiautomatic centerfire rifle to a minor that complies with all of the conditions set forth in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 27505. (b) Section 31615 does not apply to the loan of a firearm other than a handgun or semiautomatic centerfire rifle to a minor that complies with all of the conditions set forth in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 27505.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31834. Section 31834.

Section 31615 does not apply to sales, deliveries, or transfers of firearms between or to importers and manufacturers of ammunition licensed to engage in that business pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, where those firearms are to be used in the course and scope of the licensee’s activities as a person licensed pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 31835. Section 31835.

Subdivision (a) of Section 31615 does not apply to the delivery, sale, or transfer of firearms when made by authorized law enforcement representatives for cities, counties, cities and counties, or of the state or federal government, if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The sale, delivery, or transfer is made to one of the persons or entities identified in subdivision (a) of Section 26620. (b) The sale, delivery, or transfer of the firearm is not subject to the procedures set forth in Section 18000, 18005, 34000, or 34005. (c) The sale, delivery, or transfer of the firearm follows the procedures set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 26620.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026