Summary
The Roster is for handguns only
Guns not on the Roster are not 'illegal'
The Roster is not about 'safety'
Guns are put on the Roster after a $200 fee; there are no 'implied' entries
Current:
The Roster is online at https://www.oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search
In 2024 and before
The Roster is enforced through the DROS Entry System software at CA FFLs
CA FFLs may not sell off-Roster guns to 'just anyone';
Some people are exempt from the Roster, principally Law Enforcement
Some FFL transactions are exempt from the Roster, principally PPT -Private Party Transfers
Some guns are exempt from the Roster, principally Curios and Relics
All non-FFL transactions are exempt from the Roster - Examples: intrafamilial transfer, intrafamilial inheritance
All 'reports' are exempt from the Roster - Example New Resident Report of Firearm Ownership
It is legal to own, possess, and use handguns not on the Roster, and if your Issuing Agency agrees, carry with a CCW.
How it works
A manufacturer or importer may submit a handgun for the Roster - no one else
Most guns are tested, but some 'similar' to a model already on the Roster may be added without testing. Example: if there would be a model in 'black' an otherwise identical model in 'FDE' could be added without testing, but IT MUST BE ADDED, it does not get on the Roster 'automatically'.
The annual fee is $200 per year, due on Jan 1 of each year; as implemented there is a grace period.
The details are in California Code of Regulations, Title 11, Law, Division 5, Firearms Regulations, Chapter 5, Laboratory Certification and Handgun Testing
History
The Roster came to us from Senator Polanco's bill SB 15 in 1998. He thought it would extinguish the 'Ring of Fire' inexpensive handguns from Lorcin, Raven,and Davis. (Fun fact: 2A attorney Jason Davis is a member of the Davis Firearms family!) That failed - several of those made it through the testing and onto the Roster. (For entertainment value, read the committee analyses of SB 15 here.)
The Roster law is at Penal Code 31900 and 32000 and following.
In 2007, for semiautomatic handguns the Roster required a chamber load indicator (of specified characteristics) and a magazine disconnect to disable firing if the magazine was removed.
In 2007, AB 1471 authorized requiring microstamping; on May 17, 2013, DOJ claimed the technology was ready and unencumbered in this document, and from that point microstamping was also required for a semiautomatic handgun to get on the Roster.
Current lawsuit Renna vs Bonta has placed an injunction against enforcing all of the chamber load indicator, magazine disconnect, and microstamping requirements. As of April, 2024, Renna is on hold for Duncan, the large-capacity magazine case.
The 'safety' claim
We know this is inaccurate, because of all the exemptions.
Law enforcement personnel may use duty weapons, either provided by their agencies or personally purchased, that are not on the Roster. That means, in 2024, about 76,000 sworn officers might have such guns, and many of those not only expose the public to the 'unsafe handguns' but they often take those 'unsafe handguns' home to endanger their families.
Many law enforcement officers may even sell those 'unsafe handguns' to non-LE residents of California.
New Residents of California are exempt from the Roster.
Military on PCS orders to California need not register anything they might bring, so they are exempt from the Roster. They, too, may sell off-Roster handguns to other CA residents.
Interstate intrafamilial transfers (parent/child or grandparent/grandchild ONLY) of off-Roster handguns are Roster exempt, even though they must use a CA FFL.
The Roster is for handguns onlyGuns not on the Roster are not 'illegal'The Roster is not about 'safety'Guns are put on the Roster after a $200 fee; there are no 'implied' entriesCurrent:
The Roster is online at https://www.oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search
In 2024 and before
The Roster is enforced through the DROS Entry System software at CA FFLsCA FFLs may not sell off-Roster guns to 'just anyone';Some people are exempt from the Roster, principally Law EnforcementSome FFL transactions are exempt from the Roster, principally PPT -Private Party TransfersSome guns are exempt from the Roster, principally Curios and RelicsAll non-FFL transactions are exempt from the Roster - Examples: intrafamilial transfer, intrafamilial inheritanceAll 'reports' are exempt from the Roster - Example New Resident Report of Firearm OwnershipIt is legal to own, possess, and use handguns not on the Roster, and if your Issuing Agency agrees, carry with a CCW.How it works
A manufacturer or importer may submit a handgun for the Roster - no one elseMost guns are tested, but some 'similar' to a model already on the Roster may be added without testing. Example: if there would be a model in 'black' an otherwise identical model in 'FDE' could be added without testing, but IT MUST BE ADDED, it does not get on the Roster 'automatically'.The annual fee is $200 per year, due on Jan 1 of each year; as implemented there is a grace period.The details are in California Code of Regulations, Title 11, Law, Division 5, Firearms Regulations, Chapter 5, Laboratory Certification and Handgun TestingHistory
The Roster came to us from Senator Polanco's bill SB 15 in 1998. He thought it would extinguish the 'Ring of Fire' inexpensive handguns from Lorcin, Raven,and Davis. (Fun fact: 2A attorney Jason Davis is a member of the Davis Firearms family!) That failed - several of those made it through the testing and onto the Roster. (For entertainment value, read the committee analyses of SB 15 here.)The Roster law is at Penal Code 31900 and 32000 and following.In 2007, for semiautomatic handguns the Roster required a chamber load indicator (of specified characteristics) and a magazine disconnect to disable firing if the magazine was removed.In 2007, AB 1471 authorized requiring microstamping; on May 17, 2013, DOJ claimed the technology was ready and unencumbered in this document, and from that point microstamping was also required for a semiautomatic handgun to get on the Roster.Current lawsuit Renna vs Bonta has placed an injunction against enforcing all of the chamber load indicator, magazine disconnect, and microstamping requirements. As of April, 2024, Renna is on hold for Duncan, the large-capacity magazine case.The 'safety' claim
We know this is inaccurate, because of all the exemptions.
Law enforcement personnel may use duty weapons, either provided by their agencies or personally purchased, that are not on the Roster. That means, in 2024, about 76,000 sworn officers might have such guns, and many of those not only expose the public to the 'unsafe handguns' but they often take those 'unsafe handguns' home to endanger their families.Many law enforcement officers may even sell those 'unsafe handguns' to non-LE residents of California.New Residents of California are exempt from the Roster.Military on PCS orders to California need not register anything they might bring, so they are exempt from the Roster. They, too, may sell off-Roster handguns to other CA residents.Interstate intrafamilial transfers (parent/child or grandparent/grandchild ONLY) of off-Roster handguns are Roster exempt, even though they must use a CA FFL.
