California becomes first state to require background checks for gun barrels

By SUZANNE DOWNING

California will become the first state in the nation to require licensed gun dealers and eligibility checks for the sale of standalone firearm barrels, under a new law taking effect Jan. 1.

The law, Senate Bill 704, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October, treats firearm barrels—long considered ordinary gun parts under federal law—as regulated items that must be sold or transferred in person through a licensed firearms dealer. Beginning July 1, 2027, purchasers will also be required to pass a background-style eligibility check, with dealers collecting and submitting personal information to the California Department of Justice.

The measure targets so-called “ghost guns” by regulating barrels, which cannot be easily produced with consumer-grade 3D printers. Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office described the law as closing a “loophole” in California’s already extensive firearms regulations.

Under SB 704, standalone barrels may no longer be shipped directly to California residents. Online retailers and out-of-state sellers must instead ship barrels to a California-licensed firearms dealer, where the transaction must be completed in person. Individuals who possess barrels with intent to sell without a license could face criminal penalties, including potential felony charges for repeat violations.

The law also imposes a new fee of up to $5 per barrel sale to cover the cost of the eligibility check, with authority granted to officials raise the fee annually. Dealers must record detailed information about each transaction, including the buyer’s name, address, date of birth, and the make, model, and caliber of the firearm for which the barrel is designed.

No other state has adopted a similar requirement.

Under federal law and in most states, firearm barrels are treated as unregulated components, allowing lawful gun owners to purchase replacements without background checks or dealer involvement.

The California law expands government oversight without addressing violent crime, while imposing new burdens on lawful gun owners, gunsmiths, and retailers. Criminals rarely acquire weapons through legal channels, which raises the question of whether tracking barrels, which are items that wear out and require replacement, will have any measurable effect on public safety.

The legislation builds on California’s regulation of unfinished frames and receivers, expanding the state’s regulatory reach to include gun components that have traditionally been exempt from firearms controls.

Exemptions under the law include sales to law enforcement, the military, licensed collectors of historic firearms, and barrels sold as part of a complete firearm purchase that already requires a background check.

The barrel regulations are part of a broader package of firearms-related laws taking effect in 2026, further solidifying California’s position as the most heavily regulated firearms market in the country.