California legal term
explosive in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “explosive” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “explosive” mean in California criminal law?
“explosive” means any substance, or combination of substances, the primary or common purpose of which is detonation or rapid combustion, and which is capable of a relatively instantaneous or rapid release of gas and heat, or any substance, the primary purpose of which, when combined with others, is to form a substance capable of a relatively instantaneous or rapid release of gas and heat. “Explosive” includes, but is not limited to, any explosive as defined in Section 841 of Title 18 of the United States Code and published pursuant to Section 555.23 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulatio (Cal. Penal Code § 16510)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.