Here's what I have on California gun laws, a bulletin from NRA's Gun Talk BBS (filename is BCA0): CALIFORNIA (As of June 1992) PLEASE NOTE: In addition to state laws, the purchase, sale and (in certain circumstances) the possession and interstate transportation of firearms is regulated by the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended by the Firearms Owners' Protection Act. Also, cities and localities may have their own firearms ordinances in addition to federal and state laws. Details may be obtained by contacting local law enforcement authorities and by consulting the State Laws and Published OrdinancesÄFirearms, available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. QUICK REFERENCE CHART Rifles and Shotguns Handguns Permit to Purchase NO NO* Registration of Firearms NO NO* Registration of "Assault Weapons" YES YES Licensing of Owner NO NO Permit to Carry NO YES *ùPolice recordation is made of purchases from dealers. STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION None. POSSESSION It is unlawful for anyone convicted of a felony, or who is a drug addict, present or former mental patient, ever committed for mental observation, or acquitted by reason of insanity to own or possess any firearm. People with certain misdemeanor convictions involving force or violence may not possess or own any firearm within 10 years of the conviction. Persons who have been adjudicated as a juvenile offender or delinquent for any offense which would be classified as a felony or misdemeanor involving force or violence if committed by an adult may not own or possess any firearm until age 30. A minor may not possess a handgun except with written permission or under the supervision of a parent or guardian. POSSESSION OF "ASSAULT WEAPONS" "Assault weapons" are listed in Section 12276 and include certain rifles, pistols and shotguns. (SEE BACK PANEL FOR LIST). The Attorney General also has the authority to petition a court for additional firearms to be added to the list of "assault weapons." After limited notice and a hearing, such other firearms may be added to the list by the court. Any person lawfully possessing an "assault weapon" before June 1, 1989 must register the firearm with the Department of Justice by March 31, 1992, although it is reported that registration applications are being accepted after that date. Registration includes identification of the firearm and the name, address, date of birth, thumprint and other information on the owner. A fee of up to $20,00 may be charged for the registration. Any firearm subsequently added to the list of "assault weapons" must be registered within 90 days. Unless otherwise specified, registered "assault weapons" may only be possessed: 1. At registrant's residence, place of business, or other property owned by such registrant, or on property owned by another with permission. 2. At recognized target ranges or shooting clubs. 3. At recognized exhibitions. 4. Traveling to or from the foregoing. No lawfully possessed "assault weapon" may be sold or transferred on or after January 1,1990, in California to anyone other than a licensed gun dealer.* Failure to register an "assault weapon" possessed before June 1,1989, may, for a first time infraction, result in a fine between $350.00 and $500.00. Unlawful manufacture, distribution, transportation, importation, sale, or otherwise giving or lending an "assault weapon" is a felony punishable by up to eight years in jail. PURCHASE Transfer or sale of all firearms must be processed with a California gun dealer's license. An application for transfer must be made with the gun dealer before any firearm may be sold or transferred. This application contains a description of the buyer or transferee and of the firearm. A copy is sent by the dealer to the California Department of Justice and the local police chief or sheriff. If the Department of Justice determines that the buyer or transferee is not eligible to possess a firearm they shall notify the dealer immediately. There is a 15-day waiting period before delivery of any firearm. Dealers must keep a register of all firearm transfers. A person under restraining order may not acquire any firearm. The waiting period and dealer application do not apply to transfers to police officers, other gun dealers, manufacturers, or importers, antique firearms, and rifles and shotguns which are classified as curios or relics by the federal government, infrequent gifts or transfers to one's "immediate family," an infrequent temporary loan not to exceed 30 days to a person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm, and a transfer of a rifle or shotgun at auctions by nonprofit or public benefit corporations. It is unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who is forbidden to possess or own a firearm. A dealer may not transfer a pistol to a person under 21 or other firearm to a person under 18. CARRYING It is unlawful to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or handgun in any public place or on any public street in an incorporated area or an area where firing a firearm is prohibited. In California, a firearm is considered loaded if unexpended ammunition capable of being used in the firearm is attached in any manner to the firearm. The following persons and situations are exceptions: 1. Persons shooting on target ranges, or while hunting on the premises of a shooting club. *Exception is made for previously registered firearms that are inherited, or firearms brought into the state by people moving in but in either case the firearms must be registered within 90 days under the machine gun requirements of California law. 2. A person who reasonably believes that he or his property is in immediate danger and the weapon must be carried for "preservation."** 3. A person "engaged in the act of making or attempting lawful arrest." 4. A person carrying a firearm while at home or at his place of business, including temporary residences and campsites. Carrying a handgun concealed is prohibited without a license. The law states that "Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed within the meaning of this section." Application for a license to carry a concealed firearm is made to the county sheriff or the city chief of police. The officer may issue a license if the applicant establishes that he or she is of "good moral character," a resident of the county and that "good cause exists'' for the issuance of the license. The issuing officer has the power to include, in his discretion, any "reasonable" restrictions on the license to carry (such as time, place, etc.). The application must contain a description of the licensee and the gun or guns to be carried. The applicant must be fingerprinted and a copy of the prints sent to the Department of Justice. NOTE: Despite the existence of this licensing procedure, it is reported that in many California counties, the license is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. CARRYING AND TRANSPORTATION IN VEHICLES Carrying a handgun concealed within a vehicle is prohibited without a license. A handgun carried in a glove compartment or under the seat of a vehicle is considered to be concealed. A handgun placed in the trunk of an automobile, or locked in a container in the vehicle other than the utility or glove compartment or while in a locked container carried directly to or from a vehicle is deemed not to be "concealed." A locked container means a fully enclosed secure container locked by a key lock or similar locking device. Exceptions to this prohibition are: 1. Members of clubs organized for practice shooting while on any established target range or going to and from such range. 2. Licensed hunters and fishermen while engaged in hunting or fishing and while going to or from such hunting or fishing expeditions. 3. Members of an antique or historical collector's club while at a show, or while going to and from a display as long as the weapons are locked in a trunk or are in a locked container. ANTIQUES AND REPLICAS Antique firearm means any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or centerfire ammunition and manufactured in or before 1898 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition ''Claiming this exception is difficult, since a person accused of a violation must prove in court the "reasonableness" of his belief . system or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before 1898) using fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the U.S. and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade. MACHINE GUNS A machine gun is defined as any firearm which shoots or is designed to shoot, automatically, more than one shot, without manual reloading, by single function of the trigger. The term also includes any conversion part, frame or receiver of a machine gun, or any firearm deemed as such by the federal government. Upon a showing of good cause, a permit for possession and/or transportation may be issued by the Department of Justice. It is unlawful to possess a destructive device, including tracer or incendiary ammunition or any firearm larger than .60 caliber which fires fixed ammunition, or any fixed ammunition for such firearm. Excluded are shotguns and shotgun ammunition. NOTE: It has been reported that the Department of Justice refuses to grant such permits. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS No license or permit shall be required to possess, keep, or carry a handgun openly or concealed in one's home or place of business. The state legislature also has expressed its intention to occupy the whole field of the regulation and licensing of firearms, thus precluding cities and other localities from enacting firearms laws. It is unlawful to set any spring or "trap" gun. It is unlawful to change, alter or remove the serial number, maker's name or other identifying mark from any firearm, unless one has secured the written permission of the Department of Justice. Possession of a firearm with altered identifying marks creates a legal presumption that the possessor committed the offense. It is unlawful to possess a loaded firearm on the grounds or in the buildings of any public school, including the State University, without permission of the school authorities, or courthouse, State Capitol building or grounds, any legislative office or the office or residence of the Governor, constitutional officer or member of the Legislature. A minor may not possess live ammunition except with the written permission or under the supervision of a parent or guardian, or while going to or from an organized lawful recreational or competitive shooting activity or lawful hunting activity. It is unlawful to possess, transport, or sell ammunition principally for use in a handgun which is "designed primarily to penetrate metal or armor." It is unlawful to possess a multi-burst trigger activator or a zipgun. The following lists those "assault weapons" affected by the June 1, 1989 law and its 1991 amendments: "(a) All of the following specified rifles: (1) All AK series (2) UZI and Galil (3) Baretta AR-70 (4) CETME Sporter (S) Colt AR-15 series (6) Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100, and AR 11 OC (7) Fabrique Nationale FAL, LAR, FNC, 308 Match and Sporter (8) MAS223 (9) HK-91, H-93, HK-94, and HK-PSG-1 (10) MAC 10 and MAC 11 types (11) SKS with detachable magazine (12) SIG AMT, PE-57, SIG 550 & 551 (13) Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48 (14) Sterling MK-6 (15) Steyer AUG (16) Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78S ( 17) Armalite AR180 ( 18) Bushmaster Assault Rifle ( 19) Calico M-900 (20) J&R ENG M-68 (21 ) Weaver Arms Nighthawk (b) All of the following specified pistols: (1 ) UZI (2) Encom MP-9 and MP-45 (3) MAC 10 and MAC 11 types (4) INTRATEC TEC-9 (5) Sites Spectre Auto (6) Sterling MK-7 (7) Calico M-950 (8) Bushmaster Pistol (c) All of the following specified shotguns: (1) Franchi SPAS 12 and LAW 12 (2) Striker 12 (3) Street Sweeper." SOURCE: Cal. Penal Code *12020 et. seq. CAUTION: State firearm laws are subject to frequent change. The above summary is not to be considered as legal advice or a restatement of law. To determine the applicability of these laws to specific situations which you may encounter, you are strongly urged to consult a local attorney. Downloaded from GUN-TALK (703-719-6406) A service of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action Washington, DC 20036 And here are the Florida CCW stats: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE Jim Smith Secretary of State DIVISION OF LICENSING Post Office Box 6687 Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6687 CONCEALED WEAPONS/FIREARMS LICENSE STATISTICAL REPORT FOR PERIOD 10/01/87 - 7/31/93 TOTAL Applications received: 170,532 New 125,020 Renewal 45,512 Licenses Issued: 164,404 New 119,234 Renewal 45,170 Licenses valid: 96,608 Applications Denied: 916 Criminal History: 538 Incomplete Application: 378 License Revoked: 319 Clemency rule change or Legislative change: 66 Illegible prints with No Response 10 Crime prior to licensure 63 - Firearm Utilized: --4 Crime After Licensure 164 - Firearm Utilized --16 Other 16 Reinstated 40* *Statistics regarding number of licenses reinstated were not maintained prior to January, 1990 Hope this helps. Neil Reply to: J. Neil Schulman Mail: P.O. Box 94, Long Beach, CA 90801-0094 JNS BBS: 1-310-839-7653,,,,25 Internet: softserv@genie.geis.com