California · Penal Code

PEN §25135: (a) A person who is 18 years of age or older, and who is the owner, lessee, renter, or other legal occupant of a residence, who owns a firearm and who knows or has reason to know that another person a

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

An adult firearm owner in a residence must securely store the weapon or keep it on their person if another resident is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Violation is a misdemeanor.

Read the full statutory text

(a) A person who is 18 years of age or older, and who is the owner, lessee, renter, or other legal occupant of a residence, who owns a firearm and who knows or has reason to know that another person also residing therein is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm shall not keep in that residence a firearm unless one of the following applies: (1) The firearm is securely stored, as defined in Section 25145. (2) The firearm is carried or readily controlled by the lawful owner or another lawful authorized user, as defined in Section 25145. (b) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor. (c) The provisions of this section are cumulative, and do not restrict the application of any other law. However, an act or omission punishable in different ways by different provisions of law shall not be punished under more than one provision. (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2026.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.