California legal term
imitation firearm in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “imitation firearm” 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 “imitation firearm” mean in California criminal law?
“imitation firearm” means any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm, or other device that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm. (Cal. Penal Code § 16700)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.