What does "featureless" mean for a rifle in California?

The Penal Code does not use the word. It appears in a Department of Justice (DOJ) regulation that explains terms used in the assault weapon statute. That regulation defines "featureless" as "a semiautomatic firearm (rifle, pistol, or shotgun) lacking the characteristics associated with that weapon, as listed in Penal Code section 30515" (11 CCR 5471(o)).

The definitions in section 5471 were first written for a registration program. A later regulation says they "shall apply to the identification of assault weapons pursuant to Penal Code section 30515" (11 CCR 5460). DOJ reports that rule took effect on January 8, 2019 (DOJ rulemaking page).

Under PC 30515(a)(1), "assault weapon" includes a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:

1. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
2. A thumbhole stock.
3. A folding or telescoping stock.
4. A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
5. A flash suppressor.
6. A forward pistol grip.

11 CCR 5471 gives a definition for each term. In summary:

• Pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action: a grip that allows a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand can be placed beneath or below the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing. The definition includes pistol grips on bullpup designs (subdivision (z)).
• Thumbhole stock: a stock with a hole that allows the thumb of the trigger hand to penetrate into or through the stock while firing (subdivision (qq)).
• Folding stock: a stock hinged to the receiver so that it can fold next to the receiver and reduce overall length (subdivision (nn)).
• Telescoping stock: a stock that is shortened or lengthened by one section telescoping into another (subdivision (oo)).
• Flash suppressor: any device attached to the end of the barrel that is designed, intended, or functions to perceptibly reduce or redirect muzzle flash from the shooter's field of vision. A device its manufacturer labels a flash hider is treated as a flash suppressor (subdivision (r)).
• Forward pistol grip: a grip that allows a pistol style grasp forward of the trigger (subdivision (t)).

The same regulation defines "semiautomatic," "centerfire," "rimfire," and "rifle" (subdivisions (hh), (j), (ff), and (ee)). Those words set the scope of the rifle paragraphs in the statute.

The regulation's definition refers to "characteristics" listed in section 30515 and does not say which paragraphs it means. For rifles, the six-item list in paragraph (a)(1) is the statute's list of characteristics. The chapter also has other, independent tests for rifles:

• Fixed magazine capacity. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds is an assault weapon (PC 30515(a)(2)).
• Overall length. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle with an overall length of less than 30 inches is an assault weapon (PC 30515(a)(3)). The regulation says the measurement is taken in the shortest configuration in which the rifle will function (11 CCR 5471(x)).
• Named models. PC 30510 designates specific rifles, pistols, and shotguns as assault weapons. It says "series" includes models that are only variations, with minor differences, regardless of the manufacturer.

DOJ describes three categories of assault weapons: the original list, the AK and AR-15 series list, and firearms defined by generic characteristics under section 30515 (DOJ FAQ). The regulation ties "featureless" to section 30515, which is the third category. It does not mention the named lists in section 30510.

The two ideas sit in different sections. Section 30515 asks whether a rifle has a fixed magazine and, if it does, whether that magazine accepts more than 10 rounds. A different section defines a "large-capacity magazine" as any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, with three listed exclusions (PC 16740). The regulation's definition of "featureless" does not mention magazines.