AR-15 Laws in California
Last verified: April 8, 2026
This is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney and verify current federal, state, and local regulations before purchasing or building any firearm.
AR-15 Ownership
Assault Weapon Ban
Magazine Capacity Limit
Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)
Suppressors
Permit Required
Registration Required
Details
Assault weapons ban. AR-15s require "featureless" configuration or fixed magazine. No detachable magazines with pistol grip. Suppressors prohibited. .50 BMG banned.
Buying in California
| Background Check | State DOJ (DROS) |
| Waiting Period | 10-day |
| Purchase Age | 21+ for all firearms |
| Permit to Purchase | Firearm Safety Certificate required |
| Private Sale Background Check | Required (universal background check) |
Carry Laws
| Constitutional Carry | No |
| Concealed Carry Permit | Shall-issue |
| Open Carry | Prohibited in most areas |
AR pistols generally follow the same carry laws as handguns in California. Verify with local law enforcement.
Local Preemption
Many cities and counties have additional restrictions. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland have particularly strict local ordinances.
Check local ordinances in addition to state law before purchasing.
Neighboring States
How California compares to its border states for AR-15 owners.
Laws last reviewed: April 2026. Always verify current laws before purchasing.
AR-15 Ownership in California
AR-15 style rifles are heavily restricted in California. Featureless builds or fixed-magazine configurations may be legal. Consult a local firearms attorney before purchasing.
Building an AR-15 in California
California has an assault weapon ban in effect. Featureless builds with a compliant grip (fin grip or similar), fixed stock, and no flash hider may be legal. Fixed-magazine configurations using devices like the CompMag or MagLatch are another option in some jurisdictions.
Consult a California-licensed firearms attorney before starting any build.
Ready to build?
Start configuring your California-compliant AR-15 build.
Product Recommendation Disclaimer: These recommendations are based on our understanding of California law as of April 30, 2026. Laws change. Always verify compliance with your local FFL dealer before purchasing. AR15 Outfitters is not a legal authority.
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. This information is provided for educational purposes only. Laws change frequently. Always verify current regulations with your state legislature or a licensed attorney before purchasing, building, or possessing any firearm or firearm accessory.