Update 09/06/2024: in Carralero v. Bonta, the Ninth Circuit has upheld the preliminary injunctions against the following carry bans (meaning they remain unenforceable) for certain areas. This is only a preliminary injunction; the appeals process continues.
Okay to carry at:
The rule about private businesses needing "guns okay" sign is also stayed. |
No guns zones in effect are:
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SB 2 briefly went into effect, but as of 01/06/2024, it has been stayed, meaning that until the federal courts rule otherwise, the SB 2 restrictions are not in effect. This was part of the usual California and Ninth Circuit games that for a few days left legal concealed carriers in legal limbo. As of this writing, not all of the excessive SB 2 restrictions do not apply.
SB 2 essentially bans LTC permittees from legal concealed carry anywhere in the state except for some streets and sidewalks; seriously, this is no exaggeration. The law was intended as a spiteful Bruen revenge bill. The Ninth Circuit Court of appeals, the most liberal federal appeals court in the nation, first granted an injunction against the law, then on December 30th, stayed the injunction, meaning SB 2 went into effect Jan. 1, 2024. Essentially concealed carry became illegal in California, permit or not, anywhere anyone would realistically go. The injunction against the stay was an abuse of the emergency order procedures but was reversed to allow the stay (placing SB 2 on hold) as of 01/06/2024.
SB 2 is tyrannical, utterly unconstitutional, and both California and the Ninth Circuit have disregarded clear precedent set in the Bruen case. California's and the Ninth Circuit's actions are illegitimate, despotic, and a disgusting affront to our constitution. In regard to gun laws, particularly daily self-defense carry, California's law should hold no weight in the minds of peaceable, armed citizens. While the US Supreme Court will probably eventually smash these laws back to the stone age, the reality is it's technically illegal to carry pretty much everywhere.
What follows are only personal recommendations:
1. Carry on an LTC; if you don't, that's your business. An LTC will give you a better legal defense, either directly under the law or in the minds of the police, prosecutor, judge, and jury.
2. Follow the 2023 (pre-SB 2) laws. Since the SB 2 restrictions are stayed likely to be eventually thrown out entirely, the previous "no guns" rules will likely be defaulted to.
4. If you get arrested or are detained, shut up and call a lawyer. Don't talk to the police.
Finally, you are responsible for your own safety. California has shown it is utterly hostile to your civil right to self-defense and the courts will not grant you redress from your grievances.
SB 2 essentially bans LTC permittees from legal concealed carry anywhere in the state except for some streets and sidewalks; seriously, this is no exaggeration. The law was intended as a spiteful Bruen revenge bill. The Ninth Circuit Court of appeals, the most liberal federal appeals court in the nation, first granted an injunction against the law, then on December 30th, stayed the injunction, meaning SB 2 went into effect Jan. 1, 2024. Essentially concealed carry became illegal in California, permit or not, anywhere anyone would realistically go. The injunction against the stay was an abuse of the emergency order procedures but was reversed to allow the stay (placing SB 2 on hold) as of 01/06/2024.
SB 2 is tyrannical, utterly unconstitutional, and both California and the Ninth Circuit have disregarded clear precedent set in the Bruen case. California's and the Ninth Circuit's actions are illegitimate, despotic, and a disgusting affront to our constitution. In regard to gun laws, particularly daily self-defense carry, California's law should hold no weight in the minds of peaceable, armed citizens. While the US Supreme Court will probably eventually smash these laws back to the stone age, the reality is it's technically illegal to carry pretty much everywhere.
What follows are only personal recommendations:
1. Carry on an LTC; if you don't, that's your business. An LTC will give you a better legal defense, either directly under the law or in the minds of the police, prosecutor, judge, and jury.
2. Follow the 2023 (pre-SB 2) laws. Since the SB 2 restrictions are stayed likely to be eventually thrown out entirely, the previous "no guns" rules will likely be defaulted to.
4. If you get arrested or are detained, shut up and call a lawyer. Don't talk to the police.
Finally, you are responsible for your own safety. California has shown it is utterly hostile to your civil right to self-defense and the courts will not grant you redress from your grievances.
Update 09/06/2024: in Carralero v. Bonta, the Ninth Circuit has upheld the preliminary injunctions against the following carry bans (meaning they remain unenforceable):
1. Hospitals and medical facilities
2. Public transit
3. Permitted assemblies (like festivals and parades)
4. Places of worship (churches)
5. Banks and financial institutions
6. Parking areas and similar areas connected to those places
No guns zones in effect are:
This is only a preliminary injunction; the appeals process continues.
1. Hospitals and medical facilities
2. Public transit
3. Permitted assemblies (like festivals and parades)
4. Places of worship (churches)
5. Banks and financial institutions
6. Parking areas and similar areas connected to those places
No guns zones in effect are:
- Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol
- Playgrounds, parks, and zoos
- State parks
- Casinos
- Stadiums
- Libraries and museums
This is only a preliminary injunction; the appeals process continues.
PRE-2024 (PRE-SB 2) RESTRICTED AREAS
Most urban areas in California are no-gun (or "gun free" zones) because the only people who can legally carry are those with Licenses to Carry. Thus, most of this information will be applicable to licensees. Open carry, loaded or unloaded, is only permitted in unincorporated areas (not part of an official city or town), where it is otherwise permitted to shoot guns (discharge a firearm). Thus, open carry is only permitted in rural/back country type areas at times of the seasons when target shooting is allowed.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. GUN FREE ZONES WITHOUT SERIOUS SECURITY SCREENING ARE WORTHLESS. LAWS AND SIGNS CANNOT PROTECT YOU. YOU MAY CHOOSE TO CARRY ANYWAY, BUT YOU DO AT YOUR OWN (LEGAL) RISK.
School Zones
You may not:
Handguns must be transported unloaded, in a locked case, through a school zone.
Licensees are no longer allowed to carry on K-12 school property, even with permission.
Federal law does not grant an exemption to CCW licenses recognized through reciprocity.
Areas where you may legally openly carry may be within a school zone.
- Bring a firearm on to school/college/university property, even with a license to carry; or
- Bring ammunition onto school property unless it is in a locked container;
- Openly carry a handgun within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school.
Handguns must be transported unloaded, in a locked case, through a school zone.
Licensees are no longer allowed to carry on K-12 school property, even with permission.
Federal law does not grant an exemption to CCW licenses recognized through reciprocity.
Areas where you may legally openly carry may be within a school zone.
Public Buildings
Licensees are bound by the terms of their licenses, which may include a condition banning carry in public buildings. (See 2024 update)
You cannot carry firearms in any state or local public building without a license to carry.
You cannot carry firearms in any state or local public building without a license to carry.
- You cannot carry at a public meeting, whether at a public building or not.
- Licensees may carry in public buildings, except a courtroom when they are a party before the court.
- Gun show attendees are exempt from this restriction if selling/trading/exhibiting.
- You cannot carry into the State Capitol or on the capitol grounds.
- You cannot have a firearm at, or within 100 feet, of a polling place.
- Schools, universities, parks, and playgrounds have different restrictions (see school zone section).
Federal facilities
- You may not carry a firearm in a federal building or courthouse.
- You may not carry a firearm into a post office.
- You may not carry at a VA hospital, facility, veteran's home, or a cemetery.
Other
Note: these appear to be restrictions on the facility, not licensed concealed carriers. Use caution. At a minimum, refusal to disarm or leave could be a trespassing offense.
- Child care facilities 22 CCR § 101238(g)(2)
- Rehab facilities 22 CCR § 81087(m)
- Crisis nurseries 22 CCR § 86587(g)(4)