California Doubles Down on “Ghost Gun” Restrictions
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California has introduced a host of changes to their gun laws continuing a trend of chipping away at their citizen’s 2nd Amendment rights. Framed as a “consumer protection” effort, California Attorney General Rob Bonta detailed the new regulations in an eight-page informational bulletin. The expansive rules cover a wide range of activity, from unassembled firearm barrels and identity verification requirements for purchasing firearm accessories to new standards for so-called “manufacturing machines” and restrictions on sharing digital firearm design files.
At the same time, California has introduced a slate of new penalties for violations—an aggressive escalation in its quixotic campaign against the ever-elusive “ghost gun.”
Establishes new rules for the sale of firearm barrels by licensed dealers and other sellers.
Revises civil code definitions of “firearm accessory” and “firearm manufacturing machine” under the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act.
Introduces consumer notice, age-verification, and identification requirements for the sale and delivery of firearm accessories, manufacturing machines, and firearm barrels.
Updates the legal definition and creates liability for the unlawful distribution of digital firearm manufacturing code to unlicensed individuals.
Creates a new criminal offense and civil liability for facilitating or inducing the manufacture of firearms.
Imposes a 10-year ban on firearm and ammunition possession or acquisition for individuals convicted of additional firearm-related offenses.
What are the laws and what do they do exactly?
Signed in October 2025 and taking effect on January 1, 2026, California Assembly Bill 1263 and Senate Bill 704 introduce a broad set of new legal definitions and restrictions. The measures primarily target individuals involved in assembling firearms and extend regulation to parts that were previously unregulated, including firearm barrels.
Under existing California law, it is already a crime for anyone other than a state-licensed firearms manufacturer to use a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine or a three-dimensional printer to manufacture a firearm. Assembly Bill 1263 significantly broadens this prohibition by making it illegal for any person to knowingly or willfully cause another individual to unlawfully manufacture a firearm, or to aid, abet, prompt, or otherwise facilitate such activity.
This expanded scope includes the sharing of digital files used to produce firearms or firearm components. The bill also imposes a 10-year prohibition on firearm ownership, purchase, or receipt for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses, such as manufacturing or assisting in the manufacture of an “undetectable firearm.” Separately, Senate Bill 704 restricts the sale or transfer of firearm barrels by requiring that all such transactions be completed in person through a licensed firearms dealer. The law also bans possession of a firearm barrel when held with the intent to sell.
California has effectively created a new category of offense that imposes comparable legal liability on consumers, sellers, and manufacturers of so-called “firearm-related products,” regardless of whether they are directly involved in actually manufacturing a firearm.
The statutory definition of a firearm-related product is exceptionally broad. Under California law, it includes any firearm, ammunition, firearm precursor part, firearm component, firearm manufacturing machine, or firearm accessory that meets any of the following conditions:
The item is sold, manufactured, or distributed in California.
The item is intended to be sold or distributed in California.
The item is or was possessed in California, and it was reasonably foreseeable that it would be possessed in the state.
As a result, penalties for violations may extend retroactively to any individual or business connected upstream or downstream from an attempt—or even a potential attempt—to manufacture a firearm. If this framework appears confusing or excessively complex, that is likely intentional and reflects the design of the new laws themselves. This is the continuing problem our fellow gun owners in California face.
Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube Channel @2ifbyseatactical and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance.
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