• California laws regulate the use of firearms and body armor.machine gun image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
  
  Firearms and bulletproof vests can be dangerous instruments when used by certain individuals. Still, many believe that the ability to own and use firearms and accessories is guaranteed by the Second Amendment, and that these privileges should not be taken from most citizens. California laws attempt to regulate the use of guns and bulletproof vests to minimize potential crime but maximize liberties for non-criminal citizens.
  
  

Prohibited Guns

• Certain kinds of guns are outlawed throughout the state of California. This includes short-barreled shotguns/rifles, cane guns, wallet guns, zip guns, machine guns, assault weapons, and any gun not immediately recognizable as such. Specific law enforcement officials may be exempt from these laws. Silencers and armor-piercing bullets are not prohibited in the state.
  
  

Prohibited Gun Users

• California restricts who may purchase and own guns in the state. Individuals convicted of felonies and other violent crimes, those on particular kinds of probation, those who currently have a restraining order against them, and persons with mental disorders are all prohibited from gun ownership and use in California. Any person who knowingly provides these individuals with guns is guilty of a felony offense in the state.
  
  

Concealed Carry

• It is illegal for someone to carry a concealed firearm in California unless that person has been issued a license to do so by the local sheriff's or police department. These licenses are only issued to individuals who are eligible to own guns, who are of "good moral character," and who have a valid reason for desiring to carry a concealed weapon. A license issued in one jurisdiction is valid throughout the entire state.
  
  

Bulletproof Vests

• According to California's Penal Code Section 12370, bulletproof vests and body armor may only be issued to those who have never been convicted of a violent felony, unless that person can prove a reasonable need for the body armor, e.g., he works as a bodyguard and only uses the body armor at that time. If a convicted felon is found wearing a bulletproof vest when he does not lawfully need to, or if anybody is caught wearing one during the commission of a crime, he is guilty of an additional felony violation.