There's a possibility that I could end up moving to California in the next year or so and as such I wanted to ask a few questions about the laws. Namely what are the laws regarding military members who are out-of-state residents bringing their "high capacity" magazines and rifles with shorter than a 20" barrel with them? I've heard something about grandfathering them in but don't really know much about it or where to look.
Oh and if I do get stationed out there it would be up at Buell AFB which I've been told is a lot more laid back than SoCal.
Importation of "large-capacity" magazines is a felony (PC 12020) I'm fairly certain there is no military exemption for personally owned mags, only stuff issued to you in the scope of your duties. However, if you possessed them within CA at any time prior to 1/1/00 you may legally bring them back into CA. For example, you had them with you here on a prior tour of duty or while on vacation.
Rifle barrel length requirements are the same as federal (16" minimum length) However, what is more likely to be the problem for you is California's "Assault Weapon" laws. In our wonderful state, its also possible for any firearm you own to be an AW, so be sure to follow these 3 flowcharts for
Shotguns, Handguns and
Rifles.
CA has a method for allowing military members who are transferred to CA on orders to obtain a Military Assault Weapon Permit (MAWP) This process has recently been changed by our new Attorney General of CA ... Jerry Brown used to issue these without question when he was AG, but Kamela doesn't - read up about them
here
If you get transferred to CA and you love the outdoors, this is a wonderful place to be (despite our byzantine gun laws)
Thank you for your service!