(a) (1) Commencing July 1, 2024, the sale of a firearm precursor part by any party shall be conducted by or processed through a licensed firearm precursor part vendor.

(2) When neither party to a firearm precursor part sale is a licensed firearm precursor part vendor, the seller shall deliver the firearm precursor part to a vendor to process the transaction. The firearm precursor part vendor shall promptly and properly deliver the firearm precursor part to the purchaser, if the sale is not prohibited, as if the firearm precursor part were the vendor’s own merchandise. If the firearm precursor part vendor cannot deliver the firearm precursor part to the purchaser, the vendor shall forthwith return the firearm precursor part to the seller after the seller has their background checked by the department. The firearm precursor part vendor may charge the purchaser an administrative fee to process the transaction, in an amount to be set by the Department of Justice, in addition to any applicable fees that may be charged pursuant to the provisions of this title.

(b) Commencing July 1, 2024, the sale, delivery, or transfer of ownership of a firearm precursor part by any party may only occur in a face-to-face transaction with the seller, deliverer, or transferor. A firearm precursor part may be purchased or acquired over the internet or through other means of remote ordering if a licensed firearm precursor part vendor initially receives the firearm precursor part and processes the transaction in compliance with this section and Article 2 (commencing with Section 30442).

(c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) shall not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of a firearm precursor part to any of the following:

(1) An authorized law enforcement representative of a city, county, city and county, or state or federal government, if the sale, delivery, or transfer is for exclusive use by that governmental agency and, prior to the sale, delivery, or transfer of the firearm precursor part, written authorization from the head of the agency employing the purchaser or transferee is obtained, identifying the employee as an individual authorized to conduct the transaction, and authorizing the transaction for the exclusive use of the agency employing the individual.

(2) A sworn peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, or sworn federal law enforcement officer, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the course and scope of the officer’s duties.

(3) An importer or manufacturer of ammunition or firearms who is licensed to engage in business pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

(4) A person who is on the centralized list of exempted federal firearms licensees maintained by the Department of Justice pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 28450) of Chapter 6 of Division 6.

(5) A person whose licensed premises are outside this state and who is licensed as a dealer or collector of firearms pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

(6) A person who is licensed as a collector of firearms pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, whose licensed premises are within this state, and who has a current certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 26710.

(7) A firearm precursor part vendor.

(8) An authorized representative of a city, county, city and county, or state or federal government, if the firearm precursor part is obtained as part of an authorized, voluntary program in which the governmental entity is buying or receiving firearm precursor parts from private individuals.

(d) Any firearm precursor part acquired pursuant to paragraph (8) of subdivision (c) shall be disposed of pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 18000, 18005, and 34000.

(e) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

(f) The provisions of this section are cumulative and do not restrict the application of any other law. However, an act or omission punishable in different ways by this section and another provision of law shall not be punished under more than one provision.

(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 730, Sec. 6. (AB 879) Effective January 1, 2020.)