Penal Code section 23520
(a)
An applicant for a certificate of eligibility, as defined in Section 26710, or a dangerous weapons license or permit, as defined in subdivision (b), issued by the Department of Justice shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for purposes of conducting a state and national criminal history background check, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105, and for the purpose of determining if the applicant is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.(b)
A dangerous weapons license or permit includes all of the following:(1)
Assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle permit, as defined in Article 6 (commencing with Section 31000) of Chapter 2 of Division 10.(2)
Short-barreled shotgun or rifle permit, as defined in Article 2 (commencing with Section 33300) of Chapter 8 of Division 10.(3)
Destructive device permit, as defined in Article 3 (commencing with Section 18900) of Chapter 1 of Division 5 of Title 2.(4)
Machinegun permit, as defined in Article 3 (commencing with Section 32650) of Chapter 6 of Division 10.(5)
Machinegun license, as defined in Article 4 (commencing with Section 32700) of Chapter 6 of Division 10.(6)
Tear gas permit, as defined in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 23000) of Division 11 of Title 3.(c)
(1)The department shall review the state and federal response pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 11105 for individuals specified in subdivision (a).(2)
The department shall retain the fingerprint impressions for subsequent arrest notification pursuant to Section 11105.2.
Source:
Section 23520, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=23520. (updated Sep. 18, 2026; accessed Oct. 5, 2026).
