Regulations: Notice of Law Enforcement Sales/Transfers of Unsafe Handguns

Summary:

Assembly Bill (AB) 2699 (stats. 2020, ch. 289) expanded exemptions to the prohibition against the sale, use, purchase, or transfer of unsafe handguns. The new exemptions include additional law enforcement and government entities, as well as sworn members of those entities.

Penal Code section 32000, subdivisions (b)(4), (b)(6), and (b)(7) specify which entities are exempt from the prohibition against the sale, use, purchase, or transfer of unsafe handguns, and details the requirements sworn members of these entities must meet to qualify for the exemptions. The statute also requires an exempt entity or sworn member to, if authorized, notify the Department within 72 hours of the sale or transfer of an unsafe handgun. (Pen. Code, § 32000, subd. (e)(2).) The Department must prescribe the manner and format by which eligible exempt sworn members and entities can satisfy this reporting requirement.

To implement the reporting requirements of Penal Code section 32000, subdivision (e)(2), the proposed regulation requires eligible exempt sworn members to report the required information to the Department using the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS). CFARS will generate a form for the individual to complete. Exempt entities must report the sale or transfer of an unsafe handgun through the Automated Firearms System under Penal Code section 26600, subdivision (c). The reporting requirement can also be satisfied by conducting the transfer or sale through a licensed firearms dealer pursuant to Penal Code section 27545.

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Notice Register Publication Date: January 9, 2026

Status of the Proposal: This rulemaking is undergoing a 45-day public comment period. Any person or their authorized representative may submit written comments regarding the proposed regulatory action. The written comment period closes at 5:00 pm on February 24, 2026. All timely comments that specifically pertain to the proposed regulations will be reviewed and responded to by Department staff. Comments may be submitted by mail or email to:

The information below relates to recent rulemaking activity, including links to the regulations text and associated documents. Any person who has submitted a comment regarding a proposed action has the right to request a copy of the Final Statement of Reasons. The Final Statement will also be posted to this webpage upon completion of this rulemaking.

Public Notice and Related Documents