What disqualifies you from owning a gun in California?

Are you considering owning a gun in California, or have you recently come into possession of one? It's important to know whether or not you are eligible to own a firearm in the state. Here we'll look at what disqualifies someone from owning a gun in California. Who cannot own a gun in California? If you fall into any of these categories, it is illegal for you to possess a firearm in California. Minors Under 18: Effective July 2023, a new state law will take effect, requiring any person to be at least 18 years old to own any gun in California. If you are a minor under 18, this law prohibits you from possessing any type of firearm, except for use in certain recreational activities such as hunting, competitive shooting, and motion picture production, with the permission of a guardian. This new law expands the current restrictions on minors that prohibits them from possessing handguns and semiautomatic centerfire rifles. (Penal Code 29610) Further, if you are an adult with minors in your household, it is important to securely store firearms to prevent access by minors. This means storing guns in a locked safe, or other secure container, and storing ammunition separately from the firearms. Convicted Felons: The "felon with a firearm" law makes it illegal for a convicted felon to own a gun. This California law applies to felons convicted of crimes such as murder, attempted murder, robbery, kidnapping, and assault with a firearm, under the laws of the ...

When Kindness Leads to Opportunity: The Origin Story of California Gun Services

Every company has a story behind its creation. For California Gun Services, the story begins with a simple act of kindness that led the company's owner, Jeff, to discover a growing need in his community. It all started while Jeff was working at his first business venture, a family-owned painting company. Jeff, owner of California Gun Services and One Way Painting While at a client's house, as Jeff and his dad were preparing the bedroom before starting to paint, the client warned them that her late husband had left behind several firearms underneath the bed before he passed away. She confided in Jeff that she didn't feel safe with them in the house, especially with her grandchildren around. She expressed that she had them for a while because she didn't know what to do with them. While she wanted to get rid of the guns, she didn't know how to do it safely and legally. Jeff knew he had to help. Navigating Safety and Legal Aspects of Gun Disposal in California Thankfully Jeff's upbringing around guns gave him a solid foundation in gun safety. When it came to the legal aspects of gun disposal though, Jeff knew he had some work to do. Knowing that California's gun laws are complex and detailed, Jeff knew he had to do his due diligence. So he went into research mode, spending several hours reading through California gun laws. He researched laws regarding gun ownership, transportation, and disposal. He even learned the proper way ...

Safe Gun Storage, Ownership and Disposal

Jeff meeting with homeowner
One day, I was looking for my grandfather’s whetstone, to sharpen an old pair of shears, and I stumbled across his Colt Python 357 Magnum. I thought it might be a relic from one of the movies he worked on in the 50’s, but according to my grandma, it was just “one of those things your grandpa just insisted on having.” Jeff McCabe has gotten more of his fair share of calls from people like myself, who accidentally come across family firearms in their home and don’t have the first idea of what to do with them. The owner of California Gun Services (CGS), Jeff is in the business of safe gun storage, ownership and disposal. The first step? Following California gun laws. I had zero clue that by driving the Colt to the Army Navy to try and turn it in, I’d be breaking a couple laws. According to Jeff there are laws restricting gifting or selling a gun, receiving a gun, borrowing a gun, transporting a gun, even storing guns. New laws come out every year, and it is almost impossible for anyone, even aficionados to keep up with them. Jeff and his team work closely with local law enforcement to ensure the process is easy and safe. My grandma was afraid the grandkids might find it and would “just feel safer without it.” A sentiment shared by Jeff’s friends, family and fellow church parishioners - many of whom have sought his assistance over the years to ensure ...

Borrowing a Gun: Loaning Firearms to Adults

Under federal law, you may temporarily loan or rent a firearm to an out-of-state resident who is not prohibited from possessing firearms for lawful sporting purposes.  California law, prior to 2017, allowed a firearm to be “infrequently” loaned between two people who knew each other, as long as the loan did not exceed 30 days.  In 2016 however, California state legislature amended this exception and narrowed the scope of who a person can loan a firearm to under this exception.  In AB 1511, beginning January 1, 2017, a firearm can only be “infrequently” loaned between the following individuals, as long as the loan did not exceed 30 days: Spouses or registered domestic partnersAny parent, child, siblings, grandparent, or grandchild; whether related by blood, adoption, or step relation. Also under this new exception, the person borrowing the firearm must have a valid Firearm Safety Certification (FSC).  If the firearm being loaned is a handgun, it MUST be registered to the person loaning the firearm as stated in Penal Code ß 11106.  There is a lot of concern from California gun owners as to whether they can loan firearms in specific situations, given that the “personally known” language was removed from the exception.  Even without, there are many other exceptions that gun owners can use to loan a firearm to another person without having to go through an FFL.  Some of these exceptions include: P.C. ßß 26625, 27970 (Effective Jan 1, 2018)An individual can loan a firearm to another person without going ...

The Proper Way to Store a Gun

Proper gun storage is critical. The most important part of storing a gun is safety. California Law says it is illegal to knowingly store a firearm where a minor or person that is not legally allowed to posses a firearm may have access.  In short: Lock the gun in a safe, closet or room where a minor cannot access.  A trigger lock or a cable lock are also good ideas to use.  It is also good practice to store the ammunition in a different location.  As far as protecting the gun itself, it is a good idea to clean the gun and wipe down all metal surfaces with gun oil or WD-40.  This will protect it against rust, as even fingerprints can leave rust spots.  Make sure the gun is stored in a dry location. Moister is the biggest threat to damaging your gun. Remember, safe gun storage keeps you and your family safe. If you're not sure about how to either dispose of or store your guns, contact California Gun Services today. Hope this helps. Jeff McCabe

Loaded Inheritance: Safe Gun Storage, Ownership and Disposal with California Gun Services

Article by Ann Laurence, Published in the South County Magazine, May 2019 Read original article | Download article My grandparents owned a beautiful three bedroom casita in Solana Beach. Just up the road from the train station, their home was built in the twenties, and renovated completely when I was in high school. When my grandfather passed away, I moved in with my grandma, doing chores around the house for her and helping to maintain the garden. One day, I was looking for my grandfather’s whetstone, to sharpen an old pair of shears, and I stumbled across his Colt Python 357 Magnum. I had to look it up - I thought it might be a relic from one of the movies he worked on in the 50’s, but according to my grandma, it was just “one of those things your grandpa just insisted on having.” Jeff McCabe has gotten more of his fair share of calls from people like myself, who accidentally come across family firearms in their home and don’t have the first idea of what to do with them.  The owner of California Gun Services, Jeff is in the business of safe gun storage, ownership and disposal. The first step? Following California gun laws. I had zero clue that by driving the Colt to the Army Navy to try and turn it in I’d be breaking a couple laws. According to Jeff there are laws restricting gifting or selling a gun, receiving a gun, borrowing a gun, transporting ...