The Wire · CalGunHub
California DOJ issues bulletin on open carry laws remaining in effect
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The California Department of Justice issued a bulletin confirming that state open carry restrictions remain active following a federal court decision to rehear a recent case.
Summary by the CalGunHub desk.
Who this affects: This bulletin confirms that California law enforcement agencies will continue to enforce existing state restrictions on the open carry of firearms. Individuals seeking open-carry licenses are still subject to the current state licensing framework while the Ninth Circuit reviews the case en banc. Any potential changes to California open carry regulations will depend on the outcome of the upcoming federal court proceedings.
The California Department of Justice Division of Law Enforcement issued Information Bulletin 2026-DLE-10 on April 16, 2026. The document, directed to all state criminal justice and law enforcement agencies, provides an update on the procedural status of Baird v. Bonta, Case No. 24-565.
Previously, on January 2, 2026, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion stating that certain California restrictions on openly carrying firearms in densely populated counties violated the Second Amendment. The state bulletin notes that this initial opinion never took effect because the court had not issued the mandate.
On April 15, 2026, the Ninth Circuit vacated the January panel opinion and ordered the case to be reheard en banc. The bulletin states that the en banc oral argument is scheduled for the week of June 1, 2026. The court will not issue a mandate until after it hears and decides the en banc case.
Because the previous ruling was vacated, the California Department of Justice advises local agencies that the state restrictions on the open carrying of firearms and the issuance of open-carry licenses remain in effect. The bulletin notes, "The mandate will not be issued until after the Ninth Circuit hears and decides the case en banc."
Reproduced from the official source.
Sources
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