Firearms: safety certificates

People who bring reportable firearms into California must obtain a safety certificate within 180 days, beginning in 2028. Beginning in 2029, most new certificate applicants must complete four hours of training, including live-fire exercises.

What the law does ​

• Extends the deadline for personal firearm importers to report, transfer, sell, or surrender an imported firearm from 60 to 180 days.
• Requires personal firearm importers, starting January 1, 2028, to certify under penalty of perjury that they have a valid firearm safety certificate or qualify for an exemption.
• Makes it an infraction to import a reportable firearm without obtaining a valid firearm safety certificate within 180 days, while shielding people whose violation is discovered solely through late compliance or a certificate application.
• Requires new firearm safety certificate applicants, starting January 1, 2029, to complete qualifying training within the prior year, including at least four hours of instruction and live-fire range exercises.
• Exempts people with valid concealed-carry permits and people who completed initial or renewal concealed-carry training within the prior three years from the new training requirement.
• Authorizes the Department of Justice to issue implementing regulations and permits legislative funding if existing resources are insufficient for importer-rule implementation.

Who it affects ​

• Personal firearm importers required to report firearms brought into California.
• People applying for a firearm safety certificate.
• Department of Justice-certified firearms instructors and licensed firearm dealers.

Context ​

The Department of Justice may use the Dealers’ Record of Sale Special Account, subject to legislative appropriation, for the new training requirement.