Penal Code section 30515
(a)
Notwithstanding Section 30510, “assault weapon” also means any of the following:(1)
A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:(A)
A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.(B)
A thumbhole stock.(C)
A folding or telescoping stock.(D)
A grenade launcher or flare launcher.(E)
A flash suppressor.(F)
A forward pistol grip.(2)
A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.(3)
A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.(4)
A semiautomatic pistol that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:(A)
A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.(B)
A second handgrip.(C)
A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer’s hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.(D)
The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.(5)
A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.(6)
A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:(A)
A folding or telescoping stock.(B)
A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip.(7)
A semiautomatic shotgun that does not have a fixed magazine.(8)
Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.(9)
A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that does not have a fixed magazine, but that has any one of the following:(A)
A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.(B)
A thumbhole stock.(C)
A folding or telescoping stock.(D)
A grenade launcher or flare launcher.(E)
A flash suppressor.(F)
A forward pistol grip.(G)
A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.(H)
A second handgrip.(I)
A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer’s hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.(J)
The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.(10)
A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.(11)
A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.(b)
For purposes of this section, “fixed magazine” means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.(c)
The Legislature finds a significant public purpose in exempting from the definition of “assault weapon” pistols that are designed expressly for use in Olympic or Paralympic target shooting events. Therefore, those pistols that are sanctioned by the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, or by USA Shooting, the national governing body for international shooting competition in the United States, and that would otherwise fall within the definition of “assault weapon” pursuant to this section are exempt, as provided in subdivision (d).(d)
“Assault weapon” does not include either of the following:(1)
Any antique firearm.(2)
Any of the following pistols, because they are consistent with the significant public purpose expressed in subdivision (c):(3)
The Department of Justice shall create a program that is consistent with the purposes stated in subdivision (c) to exempt new models of competitive pistols that would otherwise fall within the definition of “assault weapon” pursuant to this section from being classified as an assault weapon. The exempt competitive pistols may be based on recommendations by USA Shooting consistent with the regulations contained in the USA Shooting Official Rules or may be based on the recommendation or rules of any other organization that the department deems relevant.(4)
(A)By June 30, 2028, the Department of Justice shall supplement the list of exempted pistols described in paragraph (3) to exempt new models of pistols anticipated to be utilized in the 2028 Olympic or Paralympic Games.(B)
The department shall supplement the list of exempted pistols pursuant to subparagraph (A) in coordination with, and promptly after receipt of any sufficient recommendation from, the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028. The Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028 shall provide any sufficient recommendations to the department by June 19, 2028.(C)
Neither subparagraph (A) nor subparagraph (B) divest the Department of Justice of its independent authority to evaluate or render a decision regarding any sufficient recommendation submitted by the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028. To the extent that it does not conflict with the other provisions of this section, a sufficient recommendation may be approved, and the list of exempted pistols described in paragraph (3) may be appropriately updated.(5)
For the purposes of paragraph (4), a sufficient recommendation shall include all of the following:(A)
Be signed and dated by either the chief executive officer or chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028.(B)
Specify the make, model, and caliber of the pistol.(C)
Include a statement that the pistol is sanctioned by the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028, the International Olympic Committee, or the International Paralympic Committee for use in an Olympic or Paralympic target shooting competition.(D)
Include a statement that the pistol is or will be used for Olympic or Paralympic target shooting purposes.(e)
Regulations adopted to implement paragraphs (4) and (5) of subdivision (d) are emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare.(f)
The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.(g)
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
Source:
Section 30515, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=30515. (updated Sep. 20, 2026; accessed Oct. 5, 2026).
