California legal term
less lethal ammunition in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “less lethal ammunition” 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 “less lethal ammunition” mean in California criminal law?
“less lethal ammunition” means any ammunition that satisfies both of the following requirements: (a) It is designed to be used in any less lethal weapon or any other kind of weapon (including, but not limited to, any firearm, pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, or spring, compressed air, or compressed gas weapon). (Cal. Penal Code § 16770)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.