Firearm Relinquishment

California's Judicial Branch is responsible for implementing various legal mandates addressing firearms and ammunition prohibitions and related procedures. Additionally, courts across the state currently receive grant funding focused on firearms relinquishment processes and other legal procedures in this area. These projects include: 

  1. Firearm Relinquishment Grant Program Funds 

  2. Byrne SCIP Court Funding 

The Judicial Council administers these grant funds and provides technical assistance, training, and information on legal mandates, promising practices, and sample policies, protocols, and procedures.   

The map below highlights the California counties currently engaged in Firearms Relinquishment Programs funded by the Judicial Council as of April 2025:  

This map depicts counties in California partaking in some firearm relinquishment program.

The Judicial Council is partnering with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to administer US Department of Justice (USDOJ) Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (Byrne SCIP) funding. Approximately $13 million is available for California courts responding to this Request For Proposals (RFP).  That provides funds to implement “state crisis intervention court proceedings” including mental health courts, drug courts, veteran treatment courts, Proposition 36 Treatment Mandated Felony Courts,  and related programs or initiatives that work to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others.

Resources

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Self-Help and Forms

If you are concerned about someone being in immediate danger to themselves or others, contact 911 for local assistance or 988, the national crisis line, for assistance. If you looking for information related to filing or responding to a court case that involves firearms, you can find more information on the self-help section of this website. Protection orders are one way firearm access or ownership might be restricted. There are different types of restraining orders. You can find out more here: Self-Help Guide to the California Courts

Judicial Council Forms

Funding

Firearm Relinquishment Grant Program Funds (Closed) 

Since September 2022 there have been three cycles of funding. For each cycle, all superior courts were invited to apply. In February 2023, seven courts were awarded funding in Cycle 1. In July 2023, one court was awarded funding in Cycle 2. In December 2024, 5 courts were awarded funding in Cycle 3.  

Byrne SCIP/BSCC Funding 

The Judicial Council is partnering with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to administer US Department of Justice (USDOJ) Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (Byrne SCIP) funding. In September 2024, six courts were awarded funding in Cycle 1. There is $13 million in funding available in Cycle 2 (closing in May 2025). 

Flow Chart

This flowchart reflects the process for court procedures relevant to firearms relinquishment under SB 320 (Eggman, 2022) applicable to Domestic Violence Restraining Orders. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, SB 899 (Skinner) will require a similar set of procedures for criminal protective orders and all civil firearm-prohibiting orders. California Rules of Court, rule 4.700 provides guidance for firearms relinquishment in domestic violence criminal cases. These processes and procedures can assist with other firearms relinquishment procedures in other case types, for example, with mental health diversion cases under PC 1001.36(m) and military diversion cases under PC 1001.80(p). 

Compliance With Order to Relinquish Firearms, Firearm Parts, and Ammunition
Technical Assistance and Training

The Judicial Council provides subject matter expertise, technical assistance, training, and information about promising practices in this area. This includes working with criminal, civil, collaborative, and other courts on implementation of state and federal laws, hosting convenings, and ensuring relevant changes in law are incorporated into regular training programs. Please contact Julia Weber for more information.  

Reports
Request For Proposals
Additional Statewide Resources