DraftDraft definitions, under editorial review. Informational content is not legal advice.
Drafthandgun-roster
Penal Code section 16640 defines a handgun to include a pistol, revolver, or firearm capable of being concealed upon a person. [1] The same section expressly allows a device within that definition also to fall within a short-barreled-rifle or short-barreled-shotgun classification. [1] The statutory categories therefore are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and the general label does not establish roster status or eliminate the need to consider other applicable classifications. [1][2] Configuration and purchase rules depend on specifics, this is information, not legal advice.
- 1. Penal Code section 16640retrieved 2026-10-04
- 2. Penal Code section 32015retrieved 2026-10-04
See also
- short-barreled rifleDraft
Under the National Firearms Act, covered categories include a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches and a weapon made from a rifle whose resulting barrel is shorter than 16 inches or overall length is shorter than 26 inches.
- short-barreled shotgunDraft
The National Firearms Act covers a shotgun with a barrel shorter than 18 inches and specified weapons made from shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches or overall lengths shorter than 26 inches.
- roster
California's list of handgun models that dealers are allowed to sell new.
Terms that use handgun
- off-roster
- CPO
- annual roster maintenance fee
- any other weapon (federal category)
- certified testing laboratory
- firing requirement
- handgun model
- Handgun Safety Certificate
Plain-English answers that use it
- Can I buy a handgun that isn’t on the California roster?
- Can I buy more than one handgun at the same time?
- What do I actually need to bring to the dealer?
- Can I keep my handgun in the glove box while I drive?
About this glossary
This entry is one of 153 defined terms in the CalGunHub glossary of California and federal firearm-law vocabulary. The 11 core terms are short plain-English definitions; the extended terms are cited research drafts, labelled as drafts, with their statutory sources listed under each entry. Every definition here is informational only and is not legal advice.
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