Cal. Penal Code § 26185
License to Carry A Pistol, Revolver, or Other Firearm Capable of Being Concealed Upon the Person
Redline — January 1, 2011 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2025
As of January 1, 2011
(a) (1) The fingerprints of each applicant shall be taken and two copies on forms prescribed by the Department of Justice shall be forwarded to the department.
(a) (1) Upon issuance of the notice described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 26202, the licensing authority shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice for each applicant applying for a new license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105. The Department of Justice shall provide a state or federal response to the licensing authority, pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(2) Upon receipt of the fingerprints and the fee as prescribed in Section 26190, the department shall promptly furnish the forwarding licensing authority a report of all data and information pertaining to any applicant of which there is a record in its office, including information as to whether the person is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.
(2) Upon receipt of the fingerprints of an applicant for a new license, as well as the fee as prescribed in Section 26190, the department shall promptly furnish the forwarding licensing authority information as to whether the person is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm. The department shall make this determination in a manner to be prescribed through regulations. If the department is unable to ascertain the final disposition of an arrest or criminal charge, the outcome of the mental health treatment or evaluation, or the applicant’s eligibility to possess, receive, own, or purchase a firearm, the department shall notify the forwarding licensing authority.
(3) No license shall be issued by any licensing authority until after receipt of the report from the department.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if the license applicant has previously applied to the same licensing authority for a license to carry firearms pursuant to this article and the applicant’s fingerprints and fee have been previously forwarded to the Department of Justice, as provided by this section, the licensing authority shall note the previous identification numbers and other data that would provide positive identification in the files of the Department of Justice on the copy of any subsequent license submitted to the department in conformance with Section 26225 and no additional application form or fingerprints shall be required.
(c) If the license applicant has a license issued pursuant to this article and the applicant’s fingerprints have been previously forwarded to the Department of Justice, as provided in this section, the licensing authority shall note the previous identification numbers and other data that would provide positive identification in the files of the Department of Justice on the copy of any subsequent license submitted to the department in conformance with Section 26225 and no additional fingerprints shall be required.
(3) No new license shall be issued by any licensing authority unless the department confirms the applicant’s eligibility to possess, receive, own, or purchase a firearm as described in paragraph (2).
(b) (1) For each applicant for a renewal license, upon issuance of the notice described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 26202, the licensing authority shall submit to the department the renewal notification described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 26202, in a manner and format prescribed by the department.
(2) For each renewal notification submitted to the department in accordance with paragraph (1) on or after September 1, 2026, the licensing authority shall also submit to the department fingerprint images and related information required by the department for each applicant applying for a renewal license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105. The department shall then provide a state or federal response to the licensing authority, pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 11105.
(c) (1) For each applicant for a renewal license, upon receipt by the department of the renewal notification as prescribed in subdivision (b), as well as the fee as prescribed in Section 26190, the department shall determine whether the applicant is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.
(2) For each applicant for a renewal license whose renewal notification is submitted to the department prior to September 1, 2026, the department shall determine whether the applicant is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm and notify the forwarding licensing agency in a manner to be prescribed through regulations.
(3) For each applicant for a renewal license whose renewal notification is submitted to the department on or after September 1, 2026, upon receipt of the applicant’s fingerprints, the department shall promptly furnish the forwarding licensing authority information as to whether the person is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm. The department shall make this determination in a manner to be prescribed through regulations. If the department is unable to ascertain the final disposition of an arrest or criminal charge, the outcome of the mental health treatment or evaluation, or the applicant’s eligibility to possess, receive, own, or purchase a firearm, the department shall notify the forwarding licensing authority. No renewal license shall be issued by any licensing authority unless the department confirms the applicant’s eligibility to possess, receive, own, or purchase a firearm as described in this paragraph.
(d) As used in this section, “licensing authority” means a sheriff of a county, or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county.
Official source: California Legislative Information. Reproduced from public-domain California statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.