California legal term
lawful possession of the firearm in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “lawful possession of the 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 “lawful possession of the firearm” mean in California criminal law?
“lawful possession of the firearm” means that the person who has possession or custody of the firearm either lawfully owns the firearm or has the permission of the lawful owner or a person who otherwise has apparent authority to possess or have custody of the firearm. (Cal. Penal Code § 16750)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.