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Legal Information: California

State Gun Laws

Laws current as of April 1, 2025

If I think the abuser has a gun illegally, who do I report it to?

If…

Then…
  • You think the abuser broke a state gun law…
  • You can call the local police, sheriff’s department, or the State Police.
  • You can find contact information for sheriff departments in your area on our California Sheriff Departments page.
  • You think the abuser broke a federal gun law…
  • You can call the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).
  • You can find ATF field offices in California on the ATF website. To report illegal gun activity, a person can also call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).
  • Many ATF offices have victim advocates, called “victim/witness coordinators.” You can ask to speak with one of these advocates if you are having a hard time reaching an ATF officer.

Also, a local domestic violence organization may be able to answer your questions and help you talk to the right law enforcement officials.  You can find contact information for organizations in your area on our California Advocates and Shelters page.

Note: Generally, a person does not need to know the law to be arrested for breaking it. Therefore, if the abuser has or buys a gun in violation of the law, s/he can be arrested, whether or not s/he knows that s/he broke the law.1

1United States v. Lippman, 369 F. 3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2004); United States v. Henson, 55 F. Supp. 2d 528 (S.D. W.V. 1999)

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