Calling all criminals! It’s time to let the Department of Justice know that you fully support registration of firearm barrels and mandatory background checks! Oh, wait. We forgot for a hot second that you all don’t pay attention to stuff like that. It’s only for the lawful among us.
That being the case, the public comment period has officially begun on the regulations as mandated by SB 704, that all sales and transfers of firearm barrels must be processed through a licensed dealer, with background checks and entry into state databases.
According to the Attorney General’s website, the purpose of these regulations “is to provide instructions for licensed firearms dealers to initiate the firearm barrel eligibility checks required by the statute and to fulfill purchases or transfers for people who pass the eligibility checks. The regulations will assist the regulated industry and the public to avoid engaging in unlawful purchases or transfers of firearm barrels.”
According to the Attorney General’s website, the purpose of these regulations “is to provide instructions for licensed firearms dealers to initiate the firearm barrel eligibility checks required by the statute and to fulfill purchases or transfers for people who pass the eligibility checks. The regulations will assist the regulated industry and the public to avoid engaging in unlawful purchases or transfers of firearm barrels.”
The Department of Justice defines a barrel as “the tube, usually metal and cylindrical, through which a projectile or shot charge is fired.” Further, they state that “the unregulated sale of firearm barrels without eligibility checks allowed minors and prohibited individuals to illegally manufacture firearms without undergoing the background check that is normally required for firearm purchasers in California.”
A background check for a metal tube that only functions when paired with a firearm already subject to full regulation is absurd. The regulations mandated by SB 704 are not about safety; they are about harassment and intimidation of lawful gun owners through regulatory overkill. With the ammunition registration failure rate hovering at an embarrassing 11%, we are not confident the process for barrels will be any less disastrous – especially since DOJ’s ammo registration scheme is being used as a template.
WE DO HOWEVER, ENCOURAGE YOU TO WEIGH IN DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS.
This rulemaking is undergoing a 45-day public comment period. Any person or their authorized representative may submit written comments regarding the proposed regulatory action. The written comment period closes at 5:00 pm on September 22, 2026. All timely comments that specifically pertain to the proposed regulations will be reviewed and responded to by Department staff. Comments may be submitted by mail or email to:
Mail written comments:
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 160487
Sacramento, CA 95816