Regulations: Gun Show Inspections

Summary:

Firearm and ammunition transactions at California gun shows must be conducted in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. (Pen. Code, § 27310, subd. (a); see also §§ 26805, 30348.) These regulations are being promulgated to specify the requirements for gun show producers who produce gun shows and gun show vendors (including firearm dealers, ammunition vendors, exempted federal firearms licensees, manufacturers, and gun show traders) who participate in gun shows. These regulations will also ensure consistency and promote efficiency within the Department for the increasing number of inspections at gun shows since the statutory mandate to inspect at least one-half of all gun shows took effect on July 1, 2023. (§ 27310, subd. (c).)

The gun show producer licensing process ensures that producers are eligible to possess a firearm, are familiar with applicable laws, and maintain liability insurance. Departmental review of all prospective gun show vendors ensures that the vendors possess valid licenses and are thus eligible to sell firearms or ammunition at the show. By ensuring that all gun show laws are followed, these regulations may help reduce firearm deaths and injuries.

NOTE: Regulation documents prepared by the Department may contain markup including underline, strikethrough, or highlight. While these documents are ADA-compliant, upon request, the Department can prepare a more screen reader-friendly version of these documents with annotations that explain the marked changes. Please submit all requests to regulations@doj.ca.gov.

Notice Register Publication Date: October 24, 2025

Status of the Proposal: The rulemaking is complete. On April 3, 2026, the Office of Administrative Law approved the regulations and filed them with the Secretary of State. The regulations became effective April 3, 2026.

Final Rulemaking Documents:

• OAL Approval Letter
• Final Text of Proposed Regulations
• Final Statement of Reasons
• Updated Informative Digest
• Final STD 399
• Final STD 399 Attachment

Public Notice and Related Documents

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• Text of Proposed Regulations
• Initial Statement of Reasons
• Economic and Fiscal Impact Statement (STD 399)
• STD 399 Attachment
• Forms Incorporated by Reference:
  • BOF 104 – Event and Security Plan
  • BOF 104A – Revised Event and Security Plan
  • BOF 105 – List Of Prospective Gun Show Vendors
  • BOF 106 – Annual Calendar of Gun Shows or Events
• Tips for Making Effective Comments