California · Penal Code

PEN §31615: (a) A person shall not do either of the following: (1) Purchase or receive any firearm, except an antique firearm, without a valid firearm safety certificate, except that in the case of a handgun, an

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is illegal to purchase, receive, sell, deliver, loan, or transfer firearms without a valid firearm safety certificate. Violation is a misdemeanor offense.

Read the full statutory text
(a) A person shall not do either of the following: (1) Purchase or receive any firearm, except an antique firearm, without a valid firearm safety certificate, except that in the case of a handgun, an unexpired handgun safety certificate may be used. (2) Sell, deliver, loan, or transfer any firearm, except an antique firearm, to any person who does not have a valid firearm safety certificate, except that in the case of a handgun, an unexpired handgun safety certificate may be used. (b) Any person who violates subdivision (a) is guilty of a misdemeanor. (c) The provisions of this section are cumulative, and shall not be construed as restricting the application of any other law. However, an act or omission punishable in different ways by different provisions of this code shall not be punished under more than one provision. (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2015.

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.