Tap any paragraph to write a margin note. Your notes collect in the Desk below the text and file under cases with @. The side-by-side margin rail opens on a larger screen.

Code · California · Penal Code

§ 16520

444 words·~2 min read·/ca/penal-code/16520

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)As used in this part, “firearm” means a device, designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a barrel, a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion.
(b)As used in the following provisions, “firearm” includes the frame or receiver of the weapon, including both a completed frame or receiver, or a firearm precursor part:
(1)Section 136.2.
(2)Section 646.91.
(3)Sections 16515 and 16517.
(4)Section 16550.
(5)Section 16730.
(6)Section 16960.
(7)Section 16990.
(8)Section 17070.
(9)Section 17310.
(10)Sections 18100 to 18500, inclusive.
(11)Section 23690.
(12)Sections 23900 to 23925, inclusive.
(13)Commencing on July 1, 2026, Sections 25250 to 25275, inclusive.
(14)Sections 26500 to 26590, inclusive.
(15)Sections 26600 to 27140, inclusive.
(16)Sections 27200 to 28490, inclusive.
(17)Sections 29010 to 29150, inclusive.
(18)Section 29185.
(19)Sections 29610 to 29750, inclusive.
(20)Sections 29800 to 29905, inclusive.
(21)Sections 30150 to 30165, inclusive.
(22)Section 31615.
(23)Sections 31700 to 31830, inclusive.
(24)Sections 34355 to 34370, inclusive.
(25)Sections 527.6 to 527.9, inclusive, of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(26)Sections 8100 to 8108, inclusive, of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(27)Section 15657.03 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(c)As used in the following provisions, “firearm” also includes a rocket, rocket propelled projectile launcher, or similar device containing an explosive or incendiary material, whether or not the device is designed for emergency or distress signaling purposes:
(1)Section 16750.
(2)Subdivision
(b)of Section 16840.
(3)Section 25400.
(4)Sections 25850 to 26025, inclusive.
(5)Subdivisions (a), (b), and
(c)of Section 26030.
(6)Sections 26035 to 26055, inclusive.
(d)As used in the following provisions, “firearm” does not include an unloaded antique firearm:
(1)Section 16730.
(2)Section 16550.
(3)Section 16960.
(4)Section 17310.
(5)Subdivision
(b)of Section 23920.
(6)Section 25135.
(7)Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 26350) of Division 5 of Title 4.
(8)Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 26400) of Division 5 of Title 4.
(9)Sections 26500 to 26588, inclusive.
(10)Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive.
(11)Section 27510.
(12)Section 27530.
(13)Section 27540.
(14)Section 27545.
(15)Sections 27555 to 27585, inclusive.
(16)Sections 29010 to 29150, inclusive.
(17)Section 29180.
(e)As used in Sections 34005 and 34010, “firearm” does not include a destructive device.
(f)As used in Sections 17280 and 24680, “firearm” has the same meaning as in Section 922 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
(g)As used in Sections 29180 to 29184, inclusive, “firearm” includes the completed frame or receiver of a weapon.
★   the supreme law of the land   ★
Don't Tread on Me
E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one

"If you don't know your rights, you don't have any."

Marginalia · a citizen's law index
A research desk, not legal advice. Always read the cited source before relying on a summary.
Questions or an issue? support@self-law.org
disclaimerMarginalia is a research index, not a law firm. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, or financial advice and no attorney–client relationship is formed by using it. Statutes, regulations, and case law change; summaries, search results, AI output, and member posts may be incomplete, out of date, or wrong. Any interpretation drawn from material on this site should be validated by a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before you act on it.