Assault weapons and .50 BMG rifles.

Existing law, subject to exceptions, generally prohibits the possession of an assault weapon or a .50 BMG rifle, as defined. Violation of these prohibitions is a criminal offense. Existing law requires a person who wishes to acquire an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle to obtain a permit from the Department of Justice. Existing law defines "person" as an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or any other group or entity, regardless of how it was created, for these permit purposes and other purposes related to the regulation of assault weapons and .50 BMG rifles. Existing law requires a permit to possess a machinegun. Violation of these provisions is a criminal offense. This bill would limit "person" to an individual for those permit purposes for assault weapons, .50 BMG rifles, and machineguns, and other purposes related to the regulation of assault weapons and .50 BMG rifles. The bill would, among other things, except application of that definition from provisions that generally prohibit the manufacture, distribution, transportation, importation, keeping for sale, offering for sale, exposing for sale, giving, or lending, of an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle. The bill would make additional conforming changes, including changes relating to annual inspections, for security and safe storage purposes, of certain permitees possessing assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles, as specified. By changing provisions of law regulating the acquisition of assault weapons and .50 BMG rifles, the violation of which is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.