Bullet Button Assault Weapon registration is closed. It is no longer possible to register such a weapon and any attempts to do so may be an admission of a crime. Installing a bullet button does not exempt you from “assault weapon” violations.

What is a bullet button?
A bullet button is a device that replaces the magazine release on a firearm wherein the magazine is fixed in place until a catch is releases by depressing the catch with the tip of a bullet. This also includes devices like magnetic locks that require a magnet to pull out the magazine catch.
Bullet Button is a trademarked term, however, in firearm circles it has come to include firearm magazines that are released by tools without disassembling the action of the firearm.
In 2000, California law changed to prohibit quick detachable magazines on certain semi-automatic weapons where the magazine could be released by manipulating a button or lever. The intent was to eliminate firearms that could be quickly reloaded or at least greatly frustrate the reloading process.
If magazines could not be removed from a gun without tools, it was decided that the firearm did not have detachable magazine. Because of varying firearm designs, it was decided that bullets counted as tools as some past designs utilized bullets as part of their disassembly process.
A bullet button is a device that replaces the magazine release on a firearm wherein the magazine is fixed in place until a catch is releases by depressing the catch with the tip of a bullet. This also includes devices like magnetic locks that require a magnet to pull out the magazine catch.
Bullet Button is a trademarked term, however, in firearm circles it has come to include firearm magazines that are released by tools without disassembling the action of the firearm.
In 2000, California law changed to prohibit quick detachable magazines on certain semi-automatic weapons where the magazine could be released by manipulating a button or lever. The intent was to eliminate firearms that could be quickly reloaded or at least greatly frustrate the reloading process.
If magazines could not be removed from a gun without tools, it was decided that the firearm did not have detachable magazine. Because of varying firearm designs, it was decided that bullets counted as tools as some past designs utilized bullets as part of their disassembly process.
978.20(a) - Detachable Magazine
Several comments were made that claimed that an assault weapon pursuant to PC section 12276 has a detachable magazine requiring the use of a bullet tip or cartridge to remove it from the firearm. The comments claimed that if a bullet or ammunition cartridge were to be considered a tool, these types of firearms statutorily defined as assault weapons would not meet the definition of having a detachable magazine. For that reason the Department added “For the purpose of this definition, a bullet or ammunition cartridge is not a tool.” It was also necessary to add linked or belted ammunition to the definition of an ammunition feeding device because that type of ammunition system feeds cartridges directly into the firing chamber, like the spring and follower of a box-type magazine. The definition was accordingly revised to read “detachable magazine means any ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from the firearm without disassembly of the firearm action or the use of a tool(s). For the purpose of this definition, a bullet or ammunition cartridge is not a tool.
In 2007, this decision was exploited by an entrepreneur to invent the Bullet Button. The Bullet Button directly replaced the magazine release and the new magazine catch could be released easily with the tip of a bullet or other similar device.
Various attempts to ban bullet button type devices were attempted. As of January 1, 2017, rifles equipped with bullet buttons are prohibited.
Bullet button assault weapon (BBAW)
Bullet buttons no longer exempt a semi-automatic rifle from becoming an assault weapon.
Because a registered bullet button assault weapon is not a fixed magazine rifle, you may use large capacity magazines (10+ rounds) in it.
You may not install a bullet button alone to keep your semi-automatic rifle from becoming an illegal assault weapon any longer.
Can I register my BBAW?
No. Registration closed at 11:59 PM, June 30, 2018. Per DOJ: “No extension will be provided, and no additional assault weapon registration applications will be accepted.” Any attempt to retroactively register your firearm may be an admission of a crime. You will need to use some of the new work-around devices to modify your rifle to a legal fixed-magazine configuration.
If my BBAW is registered, can I install a regular magazine release?
Probably not. The DOJ states it is illegal, and states the following:
Various attempts to ban bullet button type devices were attempted. As of January 1, 2017, rifles equipped with bullet buttons are prohibited.
Bullet button assault weapon (BBAW)
Bullet buttons no longer exempt a semi-automatic rifle from becoming an assault weapon.
Because a registered bullet button assault weapon is not a fixed magazine rifle, you may use large capacity magazines (10+ rounds) in it.
You may not install a bullet button alone to keep your semi-automatic rifle from becoming an illegal assault weapon any longer.
Can I register my BBAW?
No. Registration closed at 11:59 PM, June 30, 2018. Per DOJ: “No extension will be provided, and no additional assault weapon registration applications will be accepted.” Any attempt to retroactively register your firearm may be an admission of a crime. You will need to use some of the new work-around devices to modify your rifle to a legal fixed-magazine configuration.
If my BBAW is registered, can I install a regular magazine release?
Probably not. The DOJ states it is illegal, and states the following:
Once I register my AB 1135/SB 880 assault weapon, can I replace the bullet button style release with a traditional magazine release?
No. This registration is specific to “bullet button” firearms. As such, the firearm must remain in its current “bullet button” configuration. California Code of Regulations, title 11, division 5, chapter 39, article 2, section 5477(b) allows for repairs and replacement of the bullet button mechanism. California Code of Regulations, title 11, division 5, chapter 39, article 2, section 5477(c) details what can occur during deregistration.
It is conjectural that there is no actual prohibition against this in the Penal Code and that the DOJ and prosecutors have been unable to make assault weapon charges stick against someone who swapped the bullet button for a magazine release. This is a case where the Code of Regulations differs from the Penal Code. If you choose to swap out your bullet button, consult a firearms attorney.
If I still have bullet button installed, what do I do?
Separate the upper and lower receivers, if an AR-style rifle, or disassemble the firearm. Install one of the new work-arounds to create a fixed magazine rifle.
If I still have bullet button installed, what do I do?
Separate the upper and lower receivers, if an AR-style rifle, or disassemble the firearm. Install one of the new work-arounds to create a fixed magazine rifle.
Detachable Magazine Work-Arounds

As California now requires magazines to be removable only after opening the action of the firearm, this creates problems for many firearm owners. As AR-style rifles are by far the most popular weapons, the particular design has allowed for many innovative products to come to market to help shooters reload faster without breaking the law.
You may not use large capacity magazines in these rifles; doing so will convert them to illegal assault weapons. Large capacity magazines remain legal to use in Registered Bullet Button Assault Weapons (RBBAW)
Most of these devices allow magazines to drop free or be released after the upper and lower receivers are separated. Some of these offerings include additional devices to more easily separate and re-connect the receivers after reloading.
AR Mag Lock
Juggernaut Hellfighter
Patriot Pin
Mean Arms Loader (a kind of stripper clip)
Franklin Armory DFM (magazines that remove upwards)
There are many more products on the market and some work for firearms that are not AR-style weapons. Carefully research each product and select the one that works best for you.
What if I don’t use any of these, but I weld/rivet/etc. my magazine in place?
You will have to disconnect the receivers your AR-style rifle to reload the magazine through the top. It is possible, but very slow and awkward. The above devices help decrease that cycle time.
If I have one type of device on my rifle, can I swap it for another?
Yes. For instance, if you buy a rifle with one type of device, you can swap it for another.
You may not use large capacity magazines in these rifles; doing so will convert them to illegal assault weapons. Large capacity magazines remain legal to use in Registered Bullet Button Assault Weapons (RBBAW)
Most of these devices allow magazines to drop free or be released after the upper and lower receivers are separated. Some of these offerings include additional devices to more easily separate and re-connect the receivers after reloading.
AR Mag Lock
Juggernaut Hellfighter
Patriot Pin
Mean Arms Loader (a kind of stripper clip)
Franklin Armory DFM (magazines that remove upwards)
There are many more products on the market and some work for firearms that are not AR-style weapons. Carefully research each product and select the one that works best for you.
What if I don’t use any of these, but I weld/rivet/etc. my magazine in place?
You will have to disconnect the receivers your AR-style rifle to reload the magazine through the top. It is possible, but very slow and awkward. The above devices help decrease that cycle time.
If I have one type of device on my rifle, can I swap it for another?
Yes. For instance, if you buy a rifle with one type of device, you can swap it for another.