DraftDraft definitions, under editorial review. Informational content is not legal advice.
Draftcertificates
Handgun Safety Certificate, or HSC, is the handgun-specific certificate terminology retained in several California provisions alongside the Firearm Safety Certificate. [1] Section 26840 refers to a valid FSC or, for a handgun, an unexpired HSC. [1] DOJ explains the transition to the FSC requirement for long-gun acquisitions beginning January 1, 2015. [2] A reference to the older certificate in statutory text does not establish that any particular certificate remains unexpired on the date it is reviewed. [1]
- 1. California Penal Code section 26840retrieved 2026-10-04
- 2. California DOJ Firearm Safety Certificate questionsretrieved 2026-10-04
See also
- handgunDraft
Penal Code section 16640 defines a handgun to include a pistol, revolver, or firearm capable of being concealed upon a person.
- FSC
Firearm Safety Certificate: a short written safety test you can take right at the dealer.
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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