California Attorney General Rob Bonta has reiterated the illegality of “forced reset triggers” (FRTs) under state law. In a new bulletin, Bonta clarified that FRTs are classified as “multiburst trigger activators” according to California Penal Code section 16930. The possession, sale, manufacture, importation, or lending of such devices is prohibited by California Penal Code section 32900.
The United States Department of Justice recently reached a settlement regarding the classification of FRTs as machine guns under federal law. This agreement allows individuals to request the return of seized or surrendered FRTs from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). However, this federal settlement does not affect their status under California law.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized California’s commitment to gun safety: “No matter who oversees the federal government, California will remain the steadfast beacon of progress on gun safety that it has long been.” He highlighted that gun violence remains a significant threat and reaffirmed his office’s dedication to enforcing state gun laws.
FRTs enable semiautomatic firearms to fire at an increased rate by forcibly resetting the trigger during the firing cycle. This functionality classifies them as multiburst trigger activators in California. Residents are advised against attempting to retrieve FRTs surrendered to or confiscated by ATF under federal terms and dealers should not sell these devices.
For further inquiries, individuals can contact the Bureau of Firearms Customer Support Center at (916) 210-2300 or via email at Firearms.Bureau@doj.ca.gov.
A copy of the bulletin is available for review.
