Do I need to register my bullet button firearm?

Assembly Bill 1135 and Senate Bill 880 require that any person who, from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2016, inclusive, lawfully possessed an assault weapon that does not have a fixed magazine, as defined in Penal Code section 30515, including those weapons with an ammunition feeding device that can be readily removed from the firearm with the use of a tool (commonly referred to as a bullet-button) must register the firearm before January 1, 2018. However, Assembly Bill 103 has since extended the registration period from January 1, 2018, to July 1, 2018.

Assembly Bill 1135 and Senate Bill 880 also define the meaning of “fixed magazine” to mean an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.

This legislation closes the “bullet button” loophole and categorizes “bullet button” firearms as assault weapons. The adopted regulations for bullet button assault weapon registration contains additional information on registration requirements.

What is considered an “assault weapon”?

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1135 (Stats. 2016, ch. 40) and Senate Bill 880 (Stats. 2016, ch. 48) effective January 1, 2017, the definition of “assault weapon” is revised to mean the following:

RIFLES

1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:
   1. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
   2. A thumbhole stock.
   3. A folding or telescoping stock.
   4. A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
   5. A flash suppressor.
   6. A forward pistol grip.
2. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
3. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.

PISTOLS

1. A semiautomatic pistol that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:
   1. A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
   2. A second handgrip.
   3. A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer’s hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
   4. The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
2. A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

SHOTGUNS

1. A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:
   1. A folding or telescoping stock.
   2. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip.
2. A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine.
3. Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.

Do I need a DOJ Serial Number?

Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, title 11, section 5474.2 a person in possession of a Firearm Manufactured By Unlicensed Subject (FMBUS) must seek a Department issued serial number prior to initiating the assault weapon registration process.

Applicants seeking a serial number shall complete a New Serial Number Application (BOF 1008) and submit it to the Department per the instructions on the form. For instructions on how to complete the application, refer to the New Serial Number Form Instructions. For additional information, please contact the Bureau of Firearms Assault Weapon Registration Serial Number at: DOJserialnumber@doj.ca.gov.

Where can I register my assault weapon?

All registrations must be submitted electronically, through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) at https://cfars.doj.ca.gov. The registration fee is $15 per person (transaction). To submit your application you will need:

• At least 4 photos of the firearm you intend to register (see sample photos)
  • Close-up of the bullet button style magazine on the firearm.
  • Stock to barrel (with the firearm lying horizontally on a flat surface).
  • Left side of the receiver/frame.
  • Right side of the receiver/frame.
• Proof of residency, if submitting a joint registration.
• Military permanent duty station orders indicating assignment within California, if using a military ID to register. Active duty military spouse ID is not acceptable.

A CFARS Assault Weapon Registration Public User Guide is available for information on how to submit an assault weapon registration electronically.

Where can I find additional information about bullet button assault weapons?