Hey everyone. I am stationed in San Diego and heard about a military exemption on having an AR15 and using it without any problems. I was in cal.net and they recomended me to post in this specific forum.
Anyone with any experience? Does anyone know the process or can guide me to get this permit? After knowing about this I change my mind on buying the FAB10.
Again, I am in the San Diego area. E-mail or PM me if you need any more info.


Can Do.

I have done this - but at the time I was one of less than two dozen people to do it.

It starts with a letter to the California DOJ Firearms Division asking for a Military Assualt Weapons Permit.

You'll need to give them fingerprints, I had mine taken in at the Riverside Sheriffs, you submit your serial numbers and model numbers. I seem to recall having to prove my military service ... don't recall how.

After the permit is granted you can bring your weapons into the state. I bought three AR's and an FAL in on my permit.

You have to renew the permit every year.

Department of Justice
Firearms Division
PO Box 820200
Sacramento, CA 94203-0200

(916) 227-3274

The procedures are labeled Business Rules dated Feb 15, 2001.

Cynthia Johnson was the supervisor I talked with. Yoloanda Garcia was the criminal intelligence specialist that worked the permit with me.

I swear, Paul knows EVERYTHING!

ok, dont get me wrong here, i think you guys deserve to own whatever guns you want in kali through whatever legal means available to you.

doesn't it suck though that you can get special permission when NORMAL law-abiding patriots can't.

like i said this has nothing to do with you gentlemen.. and everything to do with th screwed up thinking in cali.

anyway, good luck nosmik... i hope they apporve you.

I have faith that things are changing and that we've seen the worst. I don't know how much farther to the left things could get here. Major portions of the United States Constitution no long apply here. The state has turned into a socialist one and has spent itself into the poor house.

The election of Arnold isn't even the begining of what needs to happen. I'm facing having to work for a living in August if I want to (retirement from the Navy) and there's a really nice job that I've applied for but I'm going to have to swallow real hard to stay here. People at my command ask me why I want to leave California - most people aren't affected or even care about firearms let alone AR-15's.

Funny thing happened today. I was out enjoying the 70 degree weather and a day off today so I was up 30 feet into one of my trees topping it. I got all hot up there cutting away the bush when I noticed my brand-new neighbor was out in his front yard two doors down.

We have a nice neighborhood full of retired military and corrections officers. The guy leaving was a corrections officer so I wanted to see what kind of guy the new guy was so I go down there all covered with pine needles and sap.

I get there and find out the guy is a city cop (Riverside Sheriff) cool beans! We sit there and talk a bit when he notices the AR15.com tee-shirt I'm wearing. I got one of those he says - a tee-shirt? No the rifle. Live is sweet!

Most people outside of California think that the weapon is banned. Nope. New sales and transfers are. There are tens of thousands of them here. More AR's were sold in California before the ban than in any other state ... yet - depending on whose figures you use - VERY VERY few were even registered.

That tells me that there's a lot under the floor boards or that not too many people heard about the requirement to register them. I'm thinking people here objected to the law and buried them in closets or in the backs of gun safes.

I was up in Washington State when the ban took effect so I left most of my weapons up there or in North Carolina for safe keeping. Once I found out about the MAWP I brought a few back in to keep in practice.

I don't take to the leash very well ...

People tell me the same thing about Kalifornia and I just say, I am just doing my time. Three more years and go back to AZ.

Let's say Paul retires and decides to stay in CA.  What happens with the AR's that came in on the military exception?  Or has that ever come up yet?  Do you have to dispose when you lose the military exception?

That is my thoughts too. If one was to reside in CA permanently would the weapons have to leave the state? I bet under the current legislation.

Having said that I want to thank Paul for the heads up on the permit. I e-mailed the DOJ after Paul posted about the permit and they are sending me one.

I remember Paul mentioning it before but I wasn't concerned at the time so I didn't pay much attention. I'll post a follow up.

Once you leave the military, you can no longer renew the yearly Military Assualt Weapons Permit.  Best guess, the rifles would have to leave.

I'm wondering, can military personal purchase non-approved handguns and import them to the Caliban.  I would think, if possible, they would have to leave once the person is discharged from the military.

You can't "import" for sale, but you can bring them with you for personal use when you come.  Pistols need to be registeresd after arriving.  The "Approval" list only applies to new retail sales.  Private party and used sales are OK.

As a note my renewal just came today.

The requirement is to initial that there are no changes - cool that means that I could bring more in - and just sign and date the thing.

The first renewal is free - they didn't say how much the second one is

OOOH Ouch. Let me be the first to thank you for your magnificent efort in reducing the state deficit.  Bad timing.

It was Feb. 5, 1887 when snow last fell on San Francisco? There are no records listing when the city last voted with the California mainstream.

You will be pleased to know that last year I paid $28 in California state tax and got exactly one dollar back.

It hasn't been a really really fun place since Sherman had his to-do with the militia.  My Grandmother moved out in the teens and it has been going down hill since.

I just had a wild phone call yesterday from my son stationed in SC.  He was doing his CA Non-Resident taxes.  They left one line of instructions off the form.  He kept coming up with owing $12k and change.  I finally checked the form and compared it to a few others and told him where to look and what to do.  He now gets a refund.

Wow, this thread just answered lots of questions I had.  I'm going to Beale AFB in July and don't exaclty feel like leaving the CAR-10 behind.

You guys can expect more questions from me in the future.

Quoted: I have done this - but at the time I was one of less than two dozen people to do it. It starts with a letter to the California DOJ Firearms Division asking for a Military Assualt Weapons Permit. You'll need to give them fingerprints, I had mine taken in at the Riverside Sheriffs, you submit your serial numbers and model numbers. I seem to recall having to prove my military service ... don't recall how. After the permit is granted you can bring your weapons into the state. I bought three AR's and an FAL in on my permit. You have to renew the permit every year.

Paul, I bought my AR15 while still serving and didnt know about the registation deadline. What happens if you are no longer serving but remain in the PRK? will they renew your permit? Id love to find a way to bring my rifle back in this state.

(edited to add: You alraedy answered my question and I just didnt read the whole thing before posting this).

CAR-15,
There is a range right outside of Beales' north gate and everybody uses it, if I remember right it is a recreation park. Ask around when you get there and I am sure someone can give you directons to it.

Paul - Are you attempting to get a CCW for some type of work or just 'cause? I live in MoVal (Riverside in a couple weeks) and have been considering applying...
- Mike

Does the Military Assualt Weapons Permit apply only to Active Duty or does it apply to reserves too?  I used to be Active Duty and I am now in Reserve Status, I bought an AR15 while I was on Active Duty when I was stationed out of State for a few months, but when I heard of the 2000 AWB I had it stored at a family house in Nevada.  Question is do I qualify for this Military Assualt Weapons Permit being in Reserve status?  Who do I contact for more information on the matter?

Active duty only.

one more questions to piggy pack on this subject.
If you are a Kalifornia resident (i was born and raised in Kali, whoa is me!) and military are you allowed to get the permit? That is how it sounds to me.
and also, can we buy ANY AR15 that would be legal in other states or does it need to be the fixed magazine, no bayo lug etc. etc. etc.?
i want to buy a Bushmaster M4 clone, but as i stated, im a prisoner to the PRK

Keep it simple!


You're on active duty stationed in CA.

It matters not where you were born or raised. I have lived in IL, VA, FL. Currently I'm living and stationed in Los Angeles, CA because I have been ordered.

This is right from the DOJ Firearms web site,  Penal Code section 12285:

b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no assault weapon possessed pursuant to this section may be sold or transferred on or after January 1, 1990, to anyone within this state other than to a licensed gun dealer, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12290, or as provided in Section 12288. Any person who (A) obtains title to an assault weapon registered under this section or that was possessed pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 12280 by bequest or intestate succession, or (B) lawfully possessed a firearm subsequently declared to be an assault weapon pursuant to Section 12276.5, or subsequently defined as an assault weapon pursuant to Section 12276.1, shall, within 90 days, render the weapon permanently inoperable, sell the weapon to a licensed gun dealer, obtain a permit from the Department of Justice in the same manner as specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 12230) of Chapter 2, or remove the weapon from this state. A person who lawfully possessed a firearm that was subsequently declared to be an assault weapon pursuant to Section 12276.5 may alternatively register the firearm within 90 days of the declaration issued pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 12276.5.
(2) A person moving into this state, otherwise in lawful possession of an assault weapon, shall do one of the following:
(A) Prior to bringing the assault weapon into this state, that person shall first obtain a permit from the Department of Justice in the same manner as specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 12230) of Chapter 2.
(B) The person shall cause the assault weapon to be delivered to a licensed gun dealer, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12290, in this state in accordance with Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto. If the person obtains a permit from the Department of Justice in the same manner as specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 12230) of Chapter 2, the dealer shall redeliver that assault weapon to the person. If the licensed gun dealer, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12290, is prohibited from delivering the assault weapon to a person pursuant to this paragraph, the dealer shall possess or dispose of the assault weapon as allowed by this chapter.
(c) A person who has registered an assault weapon under this section may possess it only under any of the following conditions unless a permit allowing additional uses is first obtained under Section 12286:
(1) At that person's residence, place of business, or other property owned by that person, or on property owned by another with the owner's express permission.
(2) While on the premises of a target range of a public or private club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets.
(3) While on a target range that holds a regulatory or business license for the purpose of practicing shooting at that target range.
(4) While on the premises of a shooting club which is licensed pursuant to the Fish and Game Code.
(5) While attending any exhibition, display, or educational project which is about firearms and which is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education about, firearms.
(6) While on publicly owned land if the possession and use of a firearm described in Section 12276 or 12276.1 is specifically permitted by the managing agency of the land.
(7) While transporting the assault weapon between any of the places mentioned in this subdivision, or to any licensed gun dealer, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12290, for servicing or repair pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12290, if the assault weapon is transported as required by Section 12026.1

I believe the military exemption is covered by this section of the code as are new residents moving into California with firearms that are classified as Assault Weapons. It appears that if a person who was stationed here for active duty decided to stay here afterwards, then they would be covered. I would wait and see what the Master Chief comes up with and go with that.