California legal term
Pistol converter in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Pistol converter” 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 “Pistol converter” mean in California criminal law?
“Pistol converter” means any device or instrument that when installed in or attached to the rear of the slide of a semiautomatic pistol, replaces the backplate, and interferes with the trigger mechanism and thereby enables the pistol to shoot automatically more than one shot by a single function of the trigger. (Cal. Penal Code § 17015)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.