NEW CALIFORNIA RESIDENT REQUIREMENT

Persons who move to California with the intention of establishing residency
in this state must either report ownership of firearms to the DOJ within 60 days, or sell or transfer the firearm(s) pursuant to California law. (Pen. Code,
§ 28050.) Persons who want to keep their firearms must submit a New Resident Firearm Ownership Report, along with a $19 fee, to the DOJ. Forms are available at licensed firearms dealers, the Department of Motor Vehicles or on-line at the Bureau of Firearms web site at http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/forms. (Pen. Code, § 27560.)

CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON

Carrying a Concealed Handgun Without a License on One’s

Person or in a Vehicle

It is illegal for any person to carry a handgun concealed upon his or her person
or concealed in a vehicle without a license issued pursuant to Penal Code section
26150. (Pen. Code, § 25400.) A firearm locked in a motor vehicle’s trunk or in a locked container carried in the vehicle other than in the utility or glove compartment is not considered concealed within the meaning of the Penal Code section 25400; neither is a firearm carried within a locked container directly to or from a motor vehicle for any lawful purpose. (Pen. Code, § 25610.)

The prohibition from carrying a concealed handgun does not apply to licensed hunters or fishermen while engaged in hunting or fishing, or while going to or returning from the hunting expedition. (Pen. Code, § 25640.) Notwithstanding this exception for hunters or fishermen, these individuals may not carry or transport loaded firearms when going to or from the expedition. The unloaded firearms should be transported in the trunk of the vehicle or in a locked container other than the utility or glove compartment. (Pen. Code, § 25610.)

There are also occupational exceptions to the prohibition from carrying a concealed weapon, including authorized employees while engaged in specified activities. (Pen. Code, §§ 25630 & 25640.)

Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons

A license to carry a concealed handgun or other firearm may be granted by the sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides, or the chief of the city police department of the city in which the applicant resides. Such licenses are issued only after finding that the applicant is of good moral character, that good cause exists for such a license and the applicant is not prohibited from possessing firearms. (Pen. Code, § 26150.)
Where the population of the county is less than 200,000 persons, the licensing authority may issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, loaded and exposed. (Pen. Code, § 26150.)

Unless otherwise restricted, a license is valid throughout the state.