Airgun law · United States

Are Airguns Legal in California?

Yes, but heavily regulated.

Legal in principle, yet the compliance burden is high — often firearm-grade steps for the airguns most people actually want.

Tier 2 — Major Restrictions

Significant state-level compliance steps required before any sale.

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive California is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationNot a firearm

Age rule18+ for sales

PossessionCarry restricted

Transfer / saleAge verification

TransportCased advised

PreemptionLocal rules govern

Before you buy or sell

Verify buyer is 18+ before any sale.
Airsoft listings must comply with SB 199 marking rules.
Local ordinances (esp. LA County, SF) materially affect real-world use.

The rules in detail

Classification

Not a firearm

Not a firearm — definition focuses on explosion/combustion. BB devices regulated separately.

Age rule

18+ for sales

18+ for purchase. SB 199 marking compliance applies to airsoft.

Possession

Carry restricted

Lawful for adults. Imitation-firearm display is restricted in public.

Transfer / sale

Age verification

Verify 18+; required packaging warnings.

Transport

Cased advised

No state-specific transport rules; local ordinances often apply.

Preemption

Local rules govern

No airgun preemption. LA County granted enhanced authority over BB devices.

Hunting with an airgun

Small game / resident game birds yes; big game and migratory birds no

Deer

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed

Turkey

Unresolved / not addressed

Not verified in source set

Small game

Explicitly allowed

Allowed for small-game mammals and resident game birds

Predators

Unresolved / not addressed

Not fully extracted

Other big game

Not allowed / prohibited

Not allowed

Notes

California guidance allows air rifles for certain small game mammals and resident game birds — but not for big game or migratory game birds.

Local rules that still apply

Los Angeles County

State law explicitly grants LA County enhanced regulatory authority over BB devices.

San Francisco

Multiple retailers refuse to ship airguns to SF zip codes due to local rule density.

Many CA cities

Local discharge ordinances vary — verify before any outdoor use.

Federal baseline

Federal statusAir guns are NOT firearms under federal law. 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3) defines 'firearm' as a weapon expelling a projectile 'by the action of an explosive.' Air guns use compressed air, CO₂, springs, or gas pistons — outside this definition.

ShippingUSPS explicitly permits airgun shipments under Pub. 52 § 431.7. Pistols and >400 fps require Adult Signature. UPS and FedEx are inconsistent due to internal policy confusion. USPS is the most reliable carrier.

Firearm-frame airgunsAn airgun built on the frame or receiver of an actual firearm (e.g., AR-15 lower) IS a federal firearm regardless of propulsion method, under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3)(B). The marketplace MUST screen for these at listing.

See the full US picture

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.Find a place to shootAirgun-friendly ranges, flagged where confirmed.Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.