ARTICLE 3. Prohibitions and Requirements Applicable to Licensee [29100. - 29150.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 3.
in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29110. Section 29110.

A licensee shall display the license or a copy thereof, certified by the department, on the premises where it can easily be seen.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29115. Section 29115.

(a) Whenever a licensee discovers that a firearm has been stolen or is missing from the licensee’s premises, the licensee shall report the loss or theft within 48 hours of the discovery to all of the following: (1) The Department of Justice, in a manner prescribed by the department. (2) The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (3) The police department in the city or city and county where the building designated in the license is located. (4) If there is no police department in the city or city and county where the building designated in the license is located, the sheriff of the county where the building designated in the license is located. (b) For at least 10 years, the licensee shall maintain records of all firearms that are lost or stolen, as prescribed by the Department of Justice.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29120. Section 29120.

(a) A licensee shall require that each employee obtain a certificate of eligibility pursuant to Section 26710, which shall be renewed annually, before being allowed to come into contact with any firearm. (b) A licensee shall prohibit any employee who the licensee knows or reasonably should know is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm from coming into contact with any firearm.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29125. Section 29125.

(a) Each firearm a licensee manufactures in this state shall be identified with a unique serial number stamped onto the firearm utilizing the method of compression stamping. (b) Licensed manufacturers who produce fewer than 500 firearms in a calendar year within this state may serialize long guns only by utilizing a method of compression stamping or by engraving the serial number onto the firearm. (c) The licensee shall stamp the serial number onto the firearm within one business day of the time the frame or receiver is manufactured. (d) The licensee shall not use the same serial number for more than one firearm.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29130. Section 29130.

(a) A licensee shall record the type, model, caliber, or gauge, and serial number of each firearm manufactured or acquired, and the date of the manufacture or acquisition, within one business day of the manufacture or acquisition. (b) The licensee shall maintain permanently within the building designated in the license the records required pursuant to subdivision (a). (c) Backup copies of the records described in subdivision (a), whether electronic or hard copy, shall be made at least once a month. These backup records shall be maintained in a facility separate from the one in which the primary records are stored.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29135. Section 29135.

(a) A licensee shall allow the department to inspect the building designated in the license to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter. (b) A licensee shall allow any peace officer, authorized law enforcement employee, or Department of Justice employee designated by the Attorney General, upon the presentation of proper identification, to inspect facilities and records during business hours to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29140. Section 29140.

A licensee shall store in a secure facility all firearms manufactured and all barrels for firearms manufactured.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29141. Section 29141.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 29142, as used in this chapter, “secure facility” means that the facility satisfies all of the following: (a) The facility is equipped with a burglar alarm with central monitoring. (b) All perimeter entries to areas in which firearms are stored other than doors, including windows and skylights, are secured with steel window guards or an audible, silent, or sonic alarm to detect entry. (c) All perimeter doorways are designed in one of the following ways: (1) A windowless steel security door equipped with both a deadbolt and a doorknob lock. (2) A windowed metal door equipped with both a deadbolt and a doorknob lock. If the window has an opening of five inches or more measured in any direction, the window is covered with steel bars of at least one-half of an inch diameter or metal grating of at least nine gauge affixed to the exterior or interior of the door. (3) A metal grate that is padlocked and affixed to the licensee’s premises independent of the door and doorframe. (4) Hinges and hasps attached to doors by welding, riveting, or bolting with nuts on the inside of the door. (5) Hinges and hasps installed on doors so that they cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked. (6) (A) A windowed or windowless steel door that is equipped with panic hardware that operates a multipoint lock that bolts into the interior frame of the door. (B) The door shall have a latch guard over the bolt closest to the primary locking bolt to protect it from prying or cutting. (C) If the door is windowed and the window has an opening of five inches or more measured in any direction, the window shall be covered with steel bars of at least one-half of an inch diameter or metal grating of at least nine gauge affixed to the exterior or interior of the door. (d) Heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and service openings are secured with steel bars, metal grating, or an alarm system. (e) No perimeter metal grates are capable of being entered by any person. (f) Steel bars used to satisfy the requirements of this section are not capable of being entered by any person. (g) Perimeter walls of rooms in which firearms are stored are constructed of concrete or at least 10-gauge expanded steel wire mesh utilized along with typical wood frame and drywall construction. If firearms are not stored in a vault, the facility shall use an exterior security-type door along with a high security, single-key deadbolt, or other door that is more secure. All firearms shall be stored in a separate room away from any general living area or work area. Any door to the storage facility shall be locked while unattended. (h) Perimeter doorways, including the loading dock area, are locked at all times when not attended by paid employees or contracted employees, including security guards. (i) Except when a firearm is currently being tested, any ammunition on the premises is removed from all manufactured guns and stored in a separate and locked room, cabinet, or box away from the storage area for the firearms. Ammunition may be stored with a weapon only in a locked safe.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29142. Section 29142.

(a) For purposes of this chapter, any licensed manufacturer who produces fewer than 500 firearms in a calendar year within this state may maintain a “secure facility” by complying with all of the requirements described in Section 29141, or may design a security plan that is approved by the Department of Justice or the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (b) If a security plan is approved by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the approved plan, along with proof of approval, shall be filed with the Department of Justice and the local police department. If there is no police department, the filing shall be with the county sheriff’s office. (c) If a security plan is approved by the Department of Justice, the approved plan, along with proof of approval, shall be filed with the local police department. If there is no police department, the filing shall be with the county sheriff’s office.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 29150. Section 29150.

(a) A licensee shall notify the chief of police or other head of the municipal police department in the city or city and county where the building designated in the license is located that the licensee is manufacturing firearms within that city or city and county and the location of the licensed premises. (b) If there is no police department in the city or city and county where the building designated in the license is located, the licensee shall notify the sheriff of the county where the building designated in the license is located that the licensee is manufacturing firearms within that county and the location of the licensed premises.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

Starting a business in California? California LLC guide: costs and requirements