• Skip to main content

Whiskey Creek Solutions

Personal Firearm Instruction

  • Courses
    • Basic Firearms Safety
    • CCW
    • Owners to Operators
  • Links
    • California Firearms Laws Summary
    • CA DOJ Off Roster Firearms
    • CA DOJ PROHIBITING CATEGORIES
    • Shasta County Sheriff
  • Blog
  • FAQ’s
    • Can I open carry in California?
    • Storing Firearms
    • Transporting Firearm Laws
    • What are generally prohibited firearms?
    • What is the process for buying, selling, and registering guns?
    • Who can own guns in California?
    • Who is allowed to carry a concealed weapon (CCW) in California?
  • Contact Us
  • .:: Pay For Class ::.
    • Initial CCW
    • Renewal CCW

May 10 2022

What are the rules on ammunition and gun accessories?

In addition to addressing firearms, California’s gun laws impose rules and restrictions on the following:

  1. large capacity magazines,
  2. armor-piercing magazines,
  3. silencers,
  4. stun guns,
  5. laser scopes and laser pointers.

1. Large capacity magazines

As mentioned above (Section 6), large-capacity magazines are now legal in California. “Large-capacity magazines” are those that can generally hold 10 rounds of ammunition or more.

2. Armor-piercing ammunition

Penal Code 30315 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime for a person to possess armor-piercing ammunition.

“Armor-piercing” bullets are those designed to penetrate ballistic armor and protective shields, which are intended to deflect conventional bullets.

Possession of armor-piercing ammunition is a wobbler offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

A misdemeanor conviction is punishable by up to one year in county jail.

A felony conviction can lead to custody in county jail for up to three years.

3. Silencers

Per California Penal Code 33410 PC, it is a crime for a person to possess a silencer.

A violation of this statute is charged as a felony. The offense is punishable by:

  • custody in county jail for up to three years, and/or
  • a fine not to exceed $10,000.122

4. Stun guns

It is legal in California for most people to own a stun gun.

However, Penal Code 22610 PC makes it illegal for certain people to buy, use, or possess a stun gun. These people include:

  1. anyone convicted of a felony, any crime involving assault, or any crime involving the misuse of a stun gun under PC 244.5,
  2. narcotic addicts, and
  3. minors, unless he/she is at least 16 years of age and has the written consent of his/her parent or legal guardian.

The first violation of Penal Code 22610 is a public offense punishable by a $50 fine.

Subsequent violations are treated as misdemeanors, punishable by:

  • up to one year in county jail, and/or
  • a maximum $1,000 fine.

5. Laser scopes and laser pointers

Penal Code 417.25 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime for a person to point a laser scope, or a laser pointer, at another person in a threatening manner.

Note that “threatening manner,” means that the pointing of the scope or laser instills fear of bodily harm in the other person.

A “laser scope” is a portable battery-powered device that can be attached to a gun and can project a laser light onto objects.

A “laser pointer” is a hand-held laser beam device that emits a single point of light, which can be seen by the human eye.

A violation of PC 417.25 is charged as a misdemeanor in California. The crime is punishable by imprisonment in county jail for up to 30 days.

Note that in lieu of jail time, a judge may impose misdemeanor (or summary) probation.

M., D. (2022, March 27). California gun laws 2022 – your top 12 questions answered. Shouse Law Group. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/defense/gun-laws/ 

Written by Whiskey Creek Solutions · Categorized: General Information · Tagged: ammunition and accessories

Whiskey Creek Solutions | Est. 2010 | Privacy Policy

Facebook - Instagram - Twitter - Youtube