California Updates on Gun Laws Go into Effect for 2018

From open carry to self-assembled guns to closing criminal conivctions, new California laws will have a significant impact on gun owners.

California Updates on Gun Laws Go into Effect for 2018

It’s 2018, and with the new year comes many new changes in California law. Among these changes are updates to California’s existing gun laws. While not all of these laws are applicable to everyone, learning about these laws is vital to avoid making an error that could result in criminal charges.

Making Open Carry Illegal in Certain Places

California law previously banned the open carry of rifles in any incorporated city. A new law will also prohibit openly carrying an unloaded long gun, or rifle, in public unincorporated cities that are considered to be inappropriate for these types of firearms by counties. This law was requested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in the wake of the Charlotte’s protests in August 2017. Anyone who is found to violate the law will be guilty of a misdemeanor offense. It does not impact the right of Californians to carry rifles in rural areas for the purposes of hunting. If you have questions about the open carrying of rifles in incorporated or unincorporated areas, contact a criminal attorney in Los Angeles CA.

Requirement to Obtain a Serial Number for Self-Assembled Guns

A new hobby has emerged for certain Californians and others: building their own guns. Whether made by hobbyists, gun enthusiasts or criminals, these weapons can be used just like regular guns — but because of gaps in regulations, they are completely untraceable. These guns can be made from kits or even with 3-D printers. However, starting on July 1, 2018, anyone who builds a gun at home must register the weapon with the state of California, obtain a serial number for the firearm, and undergo a criminal background check. If you need advice on the legal requirements for homemade firearms, contact a criminal attorney in Los Angeles CA for a free initial consultation.

Guns and Criminal Cases

In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 63, a wide-ranging gun control initiative. Among other measures, the initiative will close a loophole that allows many people who have been convicted of serious criminal offenses to retain their firearms, simply because the state does not have a mechanism to ensure that they turn in their guns. According to the California Department of Justice, in 2014, of the people added to the database of people prohibited from owning guns due to criminal convictions, at least 42% (over 3,200 people) kept their firearms. The previous process required law enforcement to go door-to-door to recover weapons from people convicted of crimes. However, as of January 1, 2018, the law requires that anyone convicted of a crime that prohibits them from owning a firearm (such as a felony or certain misdemeanors) must provide proof that they sold or transferred their weapons within a certain time period after their conviction. A defendant’s criminal case will not be closed unless a court verifies that the defendant has complied with this requirement. To learn more about the impact of Prop 63 on gun ownership and criminal cases, contact a criminal attorney in Los Angeles CA.

If you own a gun in California, you may be confused by the wide array of new laws impacting gun ownership that go into effect in 2018. The seasoned criminal attorneys in Los Angeles CA of the Chambers Law Firm can help. Contact us today for advice and assistance at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.

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