Are flare launchers legal to have in Califorina?I have seen them at gunshows for sale.  I know its illegal to have one on your rifle.

100% legal for rimfire.
100% illegal for centerfire.

I haven't seen any at any shows. You get a business card of these guys who have them for sale at the shows? I want one for my rimfire.

Edit: Or do you mean those orange plastic single-shot 12-ga flare pistols? Those are fine to have.

You can own a 37 mm standalone flare launcher as a signaling device.

Letter of the law says having a "grenade launcher or flare launcher" on your semiautomatic, centerfire rifle makes it an assault weapon.  So it SHOULD be legal to attach one to a registered AW.  However, the Department of Justice has decided that, for example, 37 mm clones of the M203 grenade launcher that are designed to attach to a firearm are destructive devices.

It's not in the law, but the DoJ won't allow them to be imported into the state.

BTW - I am not a lawyer, my opinion is based on my own interpretation of the law.

Also if your looking for more info on flare launchers try www.37mm.com