Is Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) Legal in California?
Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is illegal in California as of 2026. California does not allow permitless concealed carry. A valid concealed carry permit issued by a local sheriff or police chief is required under California Penal Code § 25400. The state has strict requirements and does not recognize constitutional carry.
Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is ILLEGAL in California
Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is currently illegal in California. Possession or sale may result in penalties.
Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) Laws in California: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is currently illegal in California.
- 2 Possession: Concealed carry without a permit is illegal; open carry is also heavily restricted.
- 3 Sale: Firearm sales require background checks and are regulated under California law with additional restrictions.
- 4 Age Restriction: 21 years or older to purchase handguns
- 5 Penalties: Unlawful concealed carry can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Concealed carry without a permit is illegal; open carry is also heavily restricted. |
| Sale | Firearm sales require background checks and are regulated under California law with additional restrictions. |
| Age Restriction | 21 years or older to purchase handguns |
| Penalties | Unlawful concealed carry can result in misdemeanor or felony charges. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does California Compare?
Across all 50 states, Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is fully legal in 29 states, legal with restrictions in 11 states, and illegal in 10 states. California is among the 10 states where it is illegal.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: California Penal Code § 25400
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=25400.&lawCode=PEN
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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