California’s Concealed Carry Law Just Got Stricter in 2025Here’s What You Need to Know
📌 New Restrictions Now Enforceable on CCW License Holders
As of January 23, 2025, the State of California is now enforcing new restrictions on where individuals with a valid Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license can legally carry their firearms. This follows a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversing an earlier injunction that had blocked key parts of Penal Code Section 26230(a). This is the penal code enactment of what was formerly referred to as SB2. This update comes directly from the California DOJ’s Information Bulletin No. 2025-DLE-06, issued March 27, 2025, confirming the enforcement of new concealed carry rules for CCW license holders. If you’ve been charged with carrying a concealed weapon somewhere you’re not supposed to in California, reach out to an attorney at the Law Firm of Gomez, Radford, & Rome who have extensive experience handling these cases right away.
9 New Locations Where Carrying a Concealed Firearm Is Now Prohibited
If you’re a CCW license holder, you can no longer legally carry your firearm in the following “sensitive places”:
- Bars and restaurants serving alcohol, including parking areas (§ 26230(a)(9))
- Playgrounds and youth centers, including adjacent sidewalks (§ 26230(a)(11))
- Parks, athletic areas, and athletic facilities (§ 26230(a)(12))
- State-owned parks and Fish & Wildlife property (§ 26230(a)(13))
- Casinos and gambling establishments (§ 26230(a)(15))
- Stadiums and arenas (§ 26230(a)(16))
- Public libraries (§ 26230(a)(17))
- Amusement parks (§ 26230(a)(19))
- Zoos and museums (§ 26230(a)(20))
These are in addition to 11 other places that were already restricted—including schools, courthouses, government buildings, jails, colleges, airports, police stations, and polling places. These are now fully enforceable following the Ninth Circuit’s reversal of the injunction in May v. Bonta and Carralero v. Bonta.
What Was Already Restricted?
The above are in addition to the 11 locations that were never blocked and have always been restricted under § 26230:
- School zones (§ 26230(a)(1))
- Preschools and child care facilities (§ 26230(a)(2))
- Government buildings (state/local) (§ 26230(a)(3), (5))
- Courthouses (§ 26230(a)(4))
- Detention centers/jails (§ 26230(a)(6))
- Colleges and universities (§ 26230(a)(14))
- Airports and passenger vessel terminals (§ 26230(a)(18))
- Federal nuclear sites (§ 26230(a)(21))
- Police stations (§ 26230(a)(24))
- Polling places (§ 26230(a)(25))
Altogether, 20 of 26 “sensitive place” bans are currently active under California law.
What’s Still Not Enforceable?
According to DOJ Bulletin 2025-DLE-06, the following six provisions remain under injunction and are not currently enforceable:
- Hospitals and medical facilities (§ 26230(a)(7))
- Public transit (e.g., buses, trains) (§ 26230(a)(8))
- Permitted public gatherings (§ 26230(a)(10))
- Places of worship, unless they post signage (§ 26230(a)(22))
- Financial institutions (§ 26230(a)(23))
- Private businesses open to the public, unless they clearly opt in with signage (§ 26230(a)(26))
For example, under the current status, you may still legally carry in a private retail store unless the owner posts a DOJ-compliant sign prohibiting carry.
Charged with a CCW Violation Under the New Law?
California’s concealed carry law is has been flip-flopping and is evolving quickly—and that means confusion leads to arrests.
If you’ve been charged with a violation under Penal Code § 26230, Penal Code § 25850, or Penal Code § 29800, especially in Los Angeles or surrounding Southern California counties, your next call should be to Gomez, Radford, & Rome LLP.
Our attorneys are former high-level prosecutors with extensive experience in weapons offenses and CCW defense. We know the system—and we know how to beat the charges. If you’re facing prosecution under the new CCW rules, don’t wait. Contact Gomez, Radford, & Rome LLP, Southern California’s elite criminal defense team.