1. (a) Applicants Owning an Unserialized Firearm or Firearm Precursor Part. The applicant owning an unserialized firearm or firearm precursor part shall engrave, cast, stamp (impress), or otherwise permanently place the unique serial number within 10 calendar days of receiving the unique serial number from the Department. The applicant's date of receipt of the unique serial number shall be the date on the email containing the electronic notice that tells the applicant to log into the applicant's CFARS account to view the electronic correspondence sent by the Department.

   1. (1) To show that the applicant has complied with the 10-day deadline, the applicant shall upload digital images pursuant to section 5521.
   2. (2) If the applicant fails to engrave, cast, stamp (impress), or otherwise permanently place the unique serial number in compliance with section 5520 and upload the required digital images before the end of the tenth day, the unique serial number will become invalid. At that point, the applicant will have to reapply to the Department and request another unique serial number. The applicant shall complete the reapplication process by January 1, 2024, or the applicant will fail to comply with the law and no serial number shall be issued. Alternatively, the applicant may dispose of their firearm or firearm precursor part as described in section 5511, subdivision (c).

2. (b) New Residents. A new resident to the state owning an unserialized firearm or firearm precursor part shall engrave, cast, stamp (impress), or otherwise permanently place the unique serial number within 10 calendar days of receiving the unique serial number from the Department. The applicant's date of receipt of the unique serial number shall be the date on the email containing the electronic notice that tells the applicant to log into the applicant's CFARS account to view the electronic correspondence sent by the Department.

   1. (1) To show that the applicant has complied with the 10-day deadline, the applicant shall upload digital images pursuant to section 5521.
   2. (2) If the applicant fails to engrave, cast, stamp (impress), or otherwise permanently place the unique serial number in compliance with section 5520 and upload the required digital images before the end of the tenth day, the unique serial number will become invalid. At that point, the applicant will have to reapply to the Department and request another unique serial number. Alternatively, the applicant may dispose of their firearm or firearm precursor part as described in section 5511, subdivision (c).

3. (c) Applicants Intending to Manufacture or Assemble a Firearm. Except as provided in subdivisions (a) and (b), an applicant intending to manufacture or assemble a firearm, including a completed frame or receiver, shall engrave, cast, stamp (impress), or otherwise permanently place the unique serial number in compliance with section 5520 within 10 calendar days of manufacturing or assembling the firearm. To show that the applicant has complied with the 10-day deadline, the applicant shall upload digital images pursuant to section 5521 and provide the date the firearm was manufactured or assembled.

   1. (1) The applicant shall only manufacture or assemble the firearm after the Department determines that the applicant is eligible to possess a firearm and issues the applicant a unique serial number.
   2. (2) An applicant only has access to the Department-issued unique serial number for 30 calendar days from the date of its issuance. Hence, at the latest, the applicant shall finish manufacturing or assembling the firearm within 20 calendar days from the date the Department issued the applicant a unique serial number so that the applicant can complete the entire serialization process within the 30-day period prescribed by the Department.
   3. (3) If the applicant does not manufacture or assemble the firearm before the 30-day period expires, the applicant must instead engrave, cast, stamp (impress), or otherwise permanently place the unique serial number on the firearm precursor part in compliance with section 5520 and notify the Department of all changes pursuant to section 5522. Alternatively, the applicant may dispose of their firearm precursor part as described in section 5511, subdivision (c).

If the applicant's request for a unique serial number is approved, the applicant shall do the following:

Note: Authority cited: Section 29182, Penal Code. Reference: Sections 29180 and 29182, Penal Code.

History

1. New article 6 (sections 5518-5521) and section filed 5-21-2018; operative 7-1-2018 (Register 2018, No. 21).

2. New subsections (b)(2)-(b)(2)(B) and subsection renumbering filed 1-28-2020; operative 1-28-2020 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2020, No. 5).

3. Renumbering and amendment of former article 6 to article 3 and amendment of section heading and section filed 5-31-2023; operative 5-31-2023. Exempt from APA pursuant to Statutes 2022, chapter 76 (AB 1621), section 39, and submitted to OAL for filing and printing only pursuant to Government Code section 11343.8 (Register 2023, No. 22).