California – Firearms relief

A person convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction, or of a misdemeanor offense involving the violent use of a firearm, may not own, purchase, receive, possess or exercise custody or control over any firearm. The right to possess a firearm may be restored by pardon based on a certificate of rehabilitation (except if the person was ever convicted of a felony involving the use of a dangerous weapon) but not by set-aside or sealing. Certain misdemeanor offenses, including crimes involving a weapon or domestic violence, result in loss of firearms rights for a period of 10 years. Special relief provisions apply for law enforcement personnel and for those convicted prior to enactment of this law in 1991.