Firearms Prohibitions and Relinquishment

Juvenile Justice Matters

If a youth was found by the juvenile court to have committed certain serious offenses, they are not allowed to have a gun until they are at least 30 years old. These offenses include:

  • Serious or violent crimes listed in Welfare and Institutions Code 707(b)
  • Crimes listed in Penal Code 29805
  • Certain drug related offenses listed in Penal Code 29820(a)(1)(B–F)
  • Carrying a loaded gun in public (Penal Code 25850)
  • Carrying a hidden gun (Penal Code 25400(a))
  • Allowing someone else to bring a gun into your car when you are the driver or owner (Penal Code 26100(a))

If a youth is adjudicated of a qualifying offense, they must give up all firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, ammunition feeding devices and body armor. These items must be surrendered to a law enforcement agency or a licensed gun dealer within the following deadlines:

  • Within 48 hours if the person is out of custody
  • Within 14 days if the person is in custody.

Note: A person in custody may choose someone else to turn in their items by using the BOF 110 - General Notice of Firearm Prohibition and Power of Attorney for Firearms Relinquishment, Sale, or Transfer for Storage Form.

After the items are surrendered, the person (or their designated representative) must complete and submit the BOF 1022 - Prohibited Persons Relinquishment Form to the probation officer as proof of relinquishment.

If a youth does not follow these relinquishment requirements, the court must do one of the following: 

  • Issue a search warrant to locate and remove any prohibited items
  • Notify the prosecuting agency for possible further investigation or prosecution.

Restraining Orders or Protective Orders

If the person is also subject to a protective order or restraining order, they must follow additional relinquishment requirements under Code of Civil Procedure section 527.9. More information can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

You must complete and submit the BOF 1022 - Prohibited Persons Relinquishment Form to your probation officer. The probation officer will file the form with the court along with their firearms relinquishment report.

No. You may only turn them in to a law enforcement agency or a licensed gun dealer.

You may turn them in for storage or destruction to a law enforcement agency, such as your city police department or the sheriff’s department.

You may also store or sell them through a licensed gun dealer. A list of authorized gun dealers can be found here: Federal Firearms Listings | ATF.

If your firearms were lost or stolen, you must complete the BOF 4546 - Notice of No Longer in Possession form and submit it to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to update your records. After submitting the form to the DOJ, provide a copy to your probation officer.

Law enforcement agencies may charge fees, and licensed gun dealers typically do. The Court cannot waive these fees.

If you are in jail/juvenile hall, you may designate someone you trust to surrender your prohibited items on your behalf. To do this, you must complete the BOF 110 - General Notice of Firearm Prohibition and Power of Attorney for Firearms Relinquishment, Sale, or Transfer for Storage Form.

Your designated person must collect your items, surrender them within 14 days, and submit the BOF 1022 - Prohibited Persons Relinquishment Form to your probation officer.

If you are released before the 14-day deadline and your designee has not yet surrendered the items, you must surrender them yourself within 5 days of your release and submit the BOF 1022 - Prohibited Persons Relinquishment Form to your probation officer.

Note: Frequently Asked Questions related to Protective Orders or Restraining Orders can be found here.