Firearms: ghost guns.

The document was reformatted from an official chaptered legislative document (with state header, chapter number, page numbers, and formal layout) to a web-based bill text display that includes website navigation elements such as menus, search boxes, and links. No substantive legal language was added, removed, or altered.

The definition of 'firearm accessory' in Civil Code Section 3273.50(c) was narrowed. The Assembly version included language covering devices that 'alter or enhance the firing capabilities of a firearm, the lethality of the firearm, or a shooter's ability to hold and use a firearm.' The Senate version removes this broader language, leaving only devices designed to increase rate of fire or reload speed, plus items listed in Penal Code Section 30515(a) that may render a firearm an assault weapon.

A new paragraph (4) was added to the 'reasonable controls' definition in Civil Code Section 3273.50(h), requiring firearm industry members to implement procedures designed to prevent the installation and use of a pistol converter (as defined in Penal Code Section 17015) with a firearm.

The bill no longer amends Penal Code Section 830, which related to peace officers. The original Assembly version included this amendment and the digest referenced 'Peace officers' as a subject area. Both were removed in the Senate version.

In the 'abnormally dangerous' presumption (Section 3273.51(c)(2)(C)), the phrase 'minors or other individuals who are legally prohibited from accessing firearms' was changed to simply 'individuals who are legally prohibited from accessing firearms,' removing the specific reference to minors while keeping the broader category.

A new coordination provision was added stating that the bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 3273.50 of the Civil Code proposed by AB 1127, operative only if both bills are enacted and AB 1263 is enacted last.

The fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes' and the state-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now requires fiscal review and imposes costs on local agencies.

The bill was expanded from a single technical amendment to Section 830 (peace officer definition) to include amendments and additions across the Civil Code (sections 3273.50, 3273.51, 3273.60, 3273.61, new 3273.625) and Penal Code (section 29805, new 29186).

The state-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes' because the bill now creates new crimes and expands the application of existing crimes to a larger class of potential offenders.

New Penal Code section 29186 creates a misdemeanor for knowingly or willfully causing another person to engage in unlawful firearm manufacture, or aiding, abetting, promoting, or facilitating it. 'Unlawful manufacture' is defined to include: manufacturing by minors or prohibited persons; making 4 or more firearms per year without a license; using 3D printers or CNC milling machines; selling or transferring without a background check; and manufacturing assault weapons, .50 BMG rifles, undetectable firearms, unserialized firearms, large-capacity magazines, machineguns, multiburst trigger activators, short-barreled rifles or shotguns, unsafe handguns, zip guns, and other generally prohibited weapons.

Civil Code section 3273.51 now requires firearm industry members to provide clear notice to purchasers of firearm barrels, accessories, and manufacturing machines that certain conduct is a crime in California, obtain written acknowledgment, verify the purchaser is at least 18 years old, and label shipping packages with age/ID requirements. Exemptions apply for sales to federally licensed dealers, ammunition vendors, military/law enforcement on duty, forensic labs, and wholesalers.

The definition of 'digital firearm manufacturing code' in Civil Code section 3273.60 is expanded to include computer-aided manufacturing files (not just CAD files) and to cover the manufacture of large-capacity magazines, magazine conversion kits, machineguns (including auto-sear devices/switches), multiburst trigger activators, silencers, firearm accessories, and firearm barrels.

New civil liability provisions in Civil Code section 3273.61 impose strict liability for personal injury or property damage caused by firearms manufactured using distributed digital code. A private right of action is created for compensatory damages and injunctive relief. A rebuttable presumption of violation applies to website owners who make digital firearm manufacturing code available and whose site encourages its use.

New Civil Code section 3273.625 creates a civil cause of action against persons who knowingly, willfully, or recklessly cause another to engage in unlawful firearm manufacture, with a civil penalty up to $25,000 per violation enforceable by the Attorney General, county counsel, or city attorney.

Penal Code section 29805 is amended to add subdivision (h), prohibiting any person convicted on or after January 1, 2026 of a misdemeanor violation of sections 24610, 27530, 29185, 29186, 30605, 30610, 32900, 33215, or 33600 from owning, purchasing, receiving, or possessing any firearm for 10 years.

Header changed from enrolled bill format (Assembly/Senate passage dates, Governor receipt date) to chaptered law format (STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL, CHAPTER 636, approved by Governor October 11, 2025).

Page references changed from 'AB 1263' to 'Ch. 636' throughout the document.

Line wrapping and indentation were adjusted throughout all statutory sections (Sections 1 through 6) without any change to the substantive legal text.