09/23/2026
if you were wondering....
SUBJECT: Important Reminder Regarding California Law Prohibiting Sales of Handguns to Persons Under Age 21
This advisory reminds California fi****ms dealers that California Penal Code sections 27505 and 27510 prohibit the sale
and delivery of handguns to persons under 21 years of age.
On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released a legal opinion from its Office of Legal Counsel, which
concluded that a federal prohibition on the sale of handguns to persons aged 18 to 20, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) and
(c)(1), violates the Second Amendment and “may not be enforced to impose criminal penalties on dealers who sell
handguns” to 18 to 20 year old persons. The legal opinion on its own does not invalidate 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) and (c)(1).
Importantly, this legal opinion also does not alter California state laws prohibiting similar conduct. Under state law,
handguns may not be sold or delivered to persons under 21 years of age pursuant to California Penal Code sections 27505
and 27510. A violation of these Penal Code sections could result in a felony or misdemeanor offense (Pen. Code, § 27590,
subd. (c)(2), (3)), as well as the imposition of civil fines (see Pen. Code, § 26800; DES Advisory No. 185, New Civil Fines
Regulations for Fi***rm Dealers). Additionally, California Civil Code section 3273.51 requires any fi***rm industry member,
including federally licensed fi***rm dealers, to implement reasonable controls to ensure that they comply with all provisions
of California law. See also Civ. Code, § 3273.50 (defining the relevant terms).
It thus remains illegal in California for fi****ms dealers to sell or deliver handguns to persons under 21 years of age
unless the person qualifies for a specific exemption pursuant to Penal Code section 27505.
California Fi****ms Dealers must ensure that all staff members who process Dealer Record of Sale transactions are
informed of this bulletin.