The sale of the AR-15, as well as quite a number of other semi-automatic rifles is now illegal in California. Possession of such rifles is still legal, if registered. There are many still in the state. The situation is analogous (in some ways) to Class III NFA machineguns in many other states - i.e. no new ones, and extreme limits on possession. Of course such laws are all unconstitutional bullshit, but the courts will put you in jail anyway.

It is believed that there are 1000's of properly taxed/registered, pre-1986, transferable machine guns carefully hidden away in California, where it is illegal under state law to possess them. The Cali DOJ would love to get its hands on a federal print-out of the names and addresses of those who own those firearms. However, because the registration/transfer form is a federal tax return, the BATFE will not release that information to the state. For now.

The AR-15 situation is not as clear as a commenter here states. A few wise folks and attorneys have punched some serious holes in the CA AW ban and people are building so called "off list" ARs/AKs/Fals/HKs etc.

Check out http://www.calguns.net/ where the pro-gun opposition in California hangs out for more information.

-Gene

Dude, this is a pain i know all to well. I am a CA redident and have recently been doing a lot of research into building my first AR-15 under the false assumption that you could own an one under the condition that you have a fixed muzzle device etc. I fianlly decided to order a RRA complete lower with two stage trigger and a wilson combat complete upper with premium fluted barrel (obviously i was stoked). I called a gun dealer trying to make an order for my lower, and he painfully informed me that AR-15's cannot be purchased in california. The only one that can be purchased is that piece of sh*t bushmaster with the fixed magazine (side load only) which is completely unreasonable. I completely understand, and partially agree with the illegalization of automatic weapons, but why would you out law the AR, civilian AK, along with varisous other "assault weapons" when they are no more or less dangerous than semi automatic sporting rifles? This law just doesnt make any sense and is put into place by ignorant poloticians simply trying to appeal to the middle class families of america who are also ignorant and dont realize that the term "assault weapon doesnt really mean anything. I hope that People will become educated on this matter and realize that although AR's and civilian Ak's look aggressive, the world is not safer without them.