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Last updated: June 25, 2026. This article is general information for our customers, not legal advice. California firearms law and the state's official guidance continue to evolve and remain subject to court challenges, so details may change. Always confirm current requirements with the official California resources cited at the bottom of this page or a qualified attorney before purchasing.
The short version
As of January 1, 2026, two new California laws — AB 1263 and SB 704 — significantly change how firearm barrels, accessories, and firearm manufacturing machines can be sold and shipped into California. The new rules require licensed-dealer (FFL) transfers, mandatory written notices, age and identity verification, signature-on-delivery, and (phasing in) electronic reporting to the California Department of Justice, and they carry civil liability of up to $25,000 per violation.[1][2] They also sit on top of existing California requirements covering firearm precursor parts and ammunition (see below).
We are actively working on a way to comply with how these laws operate. Until we complete the necessary changes to our system, we are not allowing any products to be ordered from or sold to California. This is our own decision to stay fully compliant while we build the dealer-transfer, notice, verification, and reporting process these laws demand. It is a pause, not a permanent policy — we intend to resume California orders once a compliant workflow is in place.
SB 704 — Firearm barrels must go through a California FFL
SB 704 (authored by Senator Jesse Arreguín, signed October 10, 2025) regulates the sale and transfer of standalone firearm barrels — including partially finished barrels that can be readily completed.[3] It phases in over two stages:
- Effective January 1, 2026: A firearm barrel may only be sold or transferred in person through a California-licensed dealer (FFL). Direct-to-consumer shipment of a barrel into California is no longer lawful unless the buyer is exempt (e.g., an FFL, manufacturer, or law enforcement). Possessing a barrel with intent to sell, or offering one for sale, is prohibited unless you are a licensed dealer.
- Effective July 1, 2027: A second, stronger layer applies — the buyer must appear in person at the FFL and complete a DOJ-prescribed eligibility/background check, and the dealer must record and electronically report the purchaser's and barrel's details to the California DOJ.
AB 1263 — Notices, age verification, and broader liability
AB 1263 (Chapter 636, Statutes of 2025, signed October 11, 2025) revises California's firearm-industry standard of conduct and adds new duties before certain products can be delivered to a California resident. It applies to firearm accessories, firearm manufacturing machines (such as 3D printers and CNC mills marketed for making firearms), and digital firearm manufacturing files.[1][4]
Mandatory written notice
Before selling or shipping a covered product to a California resident, a firearm-industry member must give the buyer clear and conspicuous written notice — and obtain the buyer's acknowledgment — that it is generally a crime in California to, among other things:[1][5]
- Manufacture firearms for sale or transfer without the proper license;
- Use a 3D printer or CNC machine to manufacture a firearm without a license;
- Manufacture a firearm without completing a background check, or assist a prohibited person in manufacturing one; or
- Manufacture assault weapons, machine guns, unserialized ("ghost") firearms, unsafe handguns, large-capacity magazines, or conversion kits.
Age and identity verification at delivery
For home deliveries of covered products, the seller must verify the buyer is at least 18 years old, confirm the address on the buyer's ID matches the delivery address, and ship with packaging labeled to require signature and proof of ID (18+) at delivery.[2]
Penalties and broader liability
AB 1263 broadens the definition of unlawful firearm manufacturing (including knowingly aiding or facilitating it), expands civil liability — up to $25,000 per violation plus injunctive relief — and creates new 10-year firearm prohibitions for certain misdemeanor convictions on or after January 1, 2026. Distributing digital firearm-manufacturing files to a non-exempt California resident can create strict-liability exposure.[1][2]
Other California laws that affect these products
AB 1263 and SB 704 are the newest changes, but they sit on top of existing California requirements that also shape what can be shipped into the state:
Unfinished frames, receivers & firearm precursor parts (AB 1621 / AB 879)
Since 2022, the sale or transfer of an unfinished frame or receiver or a firearm precursor part (such as an “80%” receiver) must generally be conducted through a California-licensed dealer, with an in-person ID check, background check, waiting period, and serialization. Unserialized precursor parts are prohibited, and since January 1, 2024 it is generally a misdemeanor to possess an unserialized firearm or precursor part. Direct-to-consumer shipment of these parts into California is not permitted.[6] This directly affects many of the parts kits, receivers, and build components in our catalog.
Ammunition (Proposition 63)
California requires all ammunition sales to be processed in person by a licensed California ammunition vendor, with a DOJ eligibility/background check at the point of sale (in effect since July 1, 2019). Ammunition bought online or out of state cannot be shipped directly to a California resident — it must be delivered to a licensed in-state vendor and picked up after a face-to-face background check.[7]
What this means for your order
- If your shipping or billing address is in California, our store is not currently accepting orders for delivery into the state while we build a compliant process. You may see California orders held or canceled and refunded.
- This is a temporary suspension. We will update this page and resume California orders once our dealer-transfer, notice, age-verification, and reporting process is in place.
All sales remain subject to your state and local laws, applicable background checks, and transfer through a licensed dealer (FFL) where required. Centerfire Systems is committed to full compliance with state and federal firearms law.
Sources & official resources
- California Legislative Information — AB-1263 Firearms (full text & history): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Orchid Advisors — AB 1263 & SB 704 compliance overview (notice, age verification, liability): orchidadvisors.com
- California Legislative Information — SB-704 Firearms: firearm barrels (full text & history): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- California DOJ, Office of the Attorney General — Informational Bulletin on new ghost-gun laws effective January 1, 2026: oag.ca.gov
- CRPA — AB 1263 guidance for manufacturers and FFLs (sample notice form): crpa.org
- California DOJ, Bureau of Firearms — firearm precursor parts & unfinished frames/receivers (AB 1621 / AB 879): oag.ca.gov
- Giffords Law Center — California ammunition regulation (vendor, background check, no direct shipping; effective July 1, 2019): giffords.org
Questions about your order or whether we can ship to your state? Reach out to our customer service team — we're happy to help.
