Yes, it is generally illegal to carry a gun in California without a permit. State law requires a California-issued concealed carry license to carry a handgun on your person in public, bans open carry for private citizens in nearly every public setting, and prohibits firearms in a long list of specific locations even if you hold a valid license. Violations range from misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in county jail to felonies carrying multi-year state prison sentences, depending on the circumstances and your background.
Getting a Concealed Carry License
California requires a license to carry a concealed handgun, issued by the sheriff of your county or the chief of police in your city. To qualify, you must be at least 21 years old, be the registered owner of the firearm with the Department of Justice, complete a training course, and pass a background check.1California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26150 The licensing authority also checks whether you meet the “good moral character” standard.
Under Penal Code 26202, you can be denied a license if you have been subject to a restraining order within the past five years, were charged with certain violent or weapons offenses in the past ten years, have a history of unlawful firearm use, or are found to pose a danger to yourself or others.2California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26202
New applicants must complete 16 hours of training, including live-fire qualification. Renewals require an 8-hour course. Both requirements took effect January 1, 2024.3California Legislative Information. Senate Bill 2 (2023-2024) Fees vary dramatically by jurisdiction. Some cities and counties charge around $300 for the license plus a separate LiveScan fingerprinting fee; others charge well over $1,000 once local processing costs are added. Training fees go to private instructors and are separate. Budget for the full picture: total out-of-pocket costs can easily exceed $500.
Out-of-state permits are not recognized. If you hold a concealed carry license from another state and visit California without getting a California permit, you cannot legally carry concealed here.4State of California – Department of Justice. Frequently Asked Questions Non-residents were locked out entirely until April 22, 2025, when a federal court injunction opened the door for non-resident members of four specific organizations to apply: the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners of California, and The Second Amendment Foundation.5State of California – Department of Justice. Information Bulletin 2025-DLE-10 Non-resident applicants must attest under oath that the county where they apply is the primary place in California they intend to travel or spend time.1California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26150
Open Carry Is Effectively Banned
California prohibits open carry for private citizens in virtually all public settings. Penal Code 26350 makes it a misdemeanor to openly carry an unloaded handgun in any public place or street in an incorporated city, or in a prohibited area of unincorporated county land.6California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 26350 Carrying a loaded firearm in public, openly or not, is separately prohibited under Penal Code 25850.7California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25850 Long guns are covered too. Unless you fall into a specific exemption category, there is no legal way to carry a firearm openly in a California city.
Transporting a Firearm Without a Permit
If you don’t have a concealed carry license, you can still legally transport a handgun in your car, but only if it is unloaded and stored in a locked container inside the vehicle or locked in the trunk. The glove compartment does not count, even if it locks. This rule comes from Penal Code 25610, which carves out an exception to the concealed-carry ban for people lawfully transporting a firearm.8California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25610
The ammunition must be stored separately from the firearm during transport. A “locked container” means a fully enclosed container that locks with a padlock, key lock, or combination lock. A zippered soft case does not qualify. A hard-sided, lockable gun case that you can secure to the vehicle is the safest approach. If officers pull you over and find a loaded handgun in your center console, you are facing a charge under Penal Code 25400 or 25850, not a transport exception.
For interstate travel through California, federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 926A provides safe-passage protections if you are traveling between two states where you can legally possess the firearm, the gun is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor the ammunition is accessible from the passenger compartment.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 926A – Interstate Transportation of Firearms This protection only covers continuous travel. If you stop in California for anything beyond routine needs like fuel or rest, you must comply with California law.
Places You Still Can’t Carry, Even With a Permit
A valid concealed carry license does not open every door. California bars firearms from a long list of locations, some longstanding and some added by SB 2 in 2024. Federal courts have enjoined several of SB 2’s newer restrictions, so the current list depends on the state of ongoing litigation.
Schools
California’s Gun-Free School Zone Act makes it illegal to possess a firearm on the grounds of any K-12 school or within 1,000 feet of one, unless you have written permission from the school’s administration or fall into a narrow exception. University and college campuses carry a similar ban. Possession on school grounds is punishable by two, three, or five years in state prison. Possession within the 1,000-foot zone can be charged as a felony under aggravating circumstances, such as a prior conviction or prohibited-person status.10California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 626.9
Government Buildings and Airports
Penal Code 171b prohibits firearms inside any state or local public building where government employees regularly work, including courthouses. A violation is punishable by up to one year in county jail or time in state prison.11California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 171b Airports fall under Penal Code 171.5, which prohibits firearms in any building or parking area under airport control.
Other Restricted Places
Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, playgrounds, public parks and state parks, casinos, stadiums, arenas, libraries, zoos, and museums are currently prohibited locations for concealed carry even with a valid permit. These restrictions stem from SB 2. A federal court has enjoined some of SB 2’s expanded sensitive-place rules, including those for hospitals, churches, and public transit, but many of the restrictions above remain in effect as of early 2025. This area of law is actively being litigated, and the list could change with future rulings.
Who Cannot Possess a Firearm at All
Some people are prohibited from possessing any firearm in California, permit or not. Under Penal Code 29800, anyone convicted of a felony under federal or state law is barred from owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms. A felon caught with a firearm faces additional felony charges.12California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 29800
The prohibition also reaches people convicted of certain misdemeanors, including domestic violence offenses, assault with a firearm, and brandishing a weapon at a peace officer. People under active restraining orders, whether for domestic violence, civil harassment, or gun violence, are barred from possessing firearms for the duration of the order. Those involuntarily committed for mental health treatment or found incompetent to stand trial are also prohibited under Welfare and Institutions Code 8103.13California Department of Justice. Firearms Prohibiting Categories
California’s red flag law lets family members, household members, employers, coworkers, teachers, and law enforcement petition a court for a gun violence restraining order. The order prohibits the named person from possessing, purchasing, or receiving any firearms or ammunition.14California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 18100 Temporary orders can be issued without notice to the subject and last up to 21 days. Orders issued after a full hearing can last one to five years and may be renewed. Law enforcement can also remove firearms already in the subject’s possession.
Penalties for Carrying Illegally
Penalties depend on the specific violation and the circumstances. What starts as a straightforward misdemeanor can escalate to a felony quickly based on your background or the situation.
Concealed Carry Without a Permit
Carrying a concealed handgun without a valid license is a misdemeanor in the simplest cases, punishable by up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The charge becomes a felony if you have a prior felony conviction, are a member of a criminal street gang, are carrying a stolen firearm, or are a prohibited person. It also becomes a wobbler (chargeable as either a misdemeanor or felony) if the firearm is loaded and you are not the registered owner.15California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25400
Loaded Firearm in Public
Carrying a loaded firearm in a public place or in a vehicle is a misdemeanor in the basic case, also carrying up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The same aggravating factors that elevate a concealed-carry charge apply here: prior felony convictions, gang membership, stolen firearms, and prohibited-person status all convert it to a felony. A prior conviction for certain weapon-related offenses triggers a mandatory minimum of three months in county jail.7California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 25850
Firearms in Schools and Government Buildings
Possessing a firearm on K-12 school grounds is a straight felony carrying two, three, or five years in state prison. Possession within the 1,000-foot school zone is a wobbler that can be charged as a misdemeanor with up to one year in county jail, or as a felony with the same two-to-five-year range, depending on factors like prior convictions and the type of firearm involved.10California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 626.9 Bringing a firearm into a state or local government building is punishable by up to one year in county jail or time in state prison.11California Legislative Information. California Penal Code 171b
Sentencing Enhancements
California adds prison time when a firearm is involved in certain crimes. Carrying a loaded or unloaded firearm during a gang-related offense adds one, two, or three years.16Justia Law. California Penal Code 12021.5 – Sentence Enhancements Other enhancements under Penal Code 12022 can add years for using or possessing a gun during the commission of a felony. These stack on top of the base sentence, which is how a relatively minor offense can turn into a lengthy prison term when a firearm is involved.
Federal Property Adds Another Layer
Federal property follows federal rules regardless of your California permit. Carrying a firearm inside any federal building where government employees regularly work is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 930, punishable by up to one year in prison. If you bring a firearm into a federal building intending to use it in a crime, the penalty jumps to five years. Federal courthouses carry a separate penalty of up to two years.17Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 930 – Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities
Post offices are entirely off-limits. Federal regulations ban carrying a firearm, openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, on any postal property, with no exception for state permit holders.18eCFR. 39 CFR 232.1 – Conduct on Postal Property
National parks in California follow state law for possession, so a valid California CCW license lets you carry there. Firearms are still banned inside all National Park Service buildings and facilities such as visitor centers and ranger stations. Discharging a firearm in a national park is prohibited except during authorized hunting.19National Park Service. Firearms in National Parks