(a) (1) The Department of Justice shall accept applications from, and shall grant applications in the form of serial numbers pursuant to Section 23910 to, persons who wish to manufacture or assemble firearms pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 29180.

(2) The Department of Justice shall accept applications from, and shall grant applications in the form of serial numbers pursuant to Section 23910 to, persons who wish to own a firearm described in subdivision (c) of Section 29180.

(b) An application made pursuant to subdivision (a) shall only be granted by the department if the applicant does all of the following:

(1) For each transaction, completes a firearms eligibility check pursuant to Section 28220 demonstrating that the applicant is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.

(2) (A) Presents proof of age and identity as specified in Section 16400. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the applicant shall be 21 years of age or older to obtain a unique serial number or mark of identification for a firearm.

(B) The department shall grant an application to an applicant who is at least 18 years of age, but less than 21 years of age, for a serial number for a firearm that is not a handgun, if that application is made before February 1, 2019.

(3) Provides a description of the firearm that he or she owns or intends to manufacture or assemble, in a manner prescribed by the department.

(4) Has a valid firearm safety certificate or handgun safety certificate.

(c) The department shall inform applicants who are denied an application of the reasons for the denial in writing.

(d) All applications shall be granted or denied within 15 calendar days of the receipt of the application by the department.

(e) (1) This chapter does not authorize a person to manufacture, assemble, or possess a weapon prohibited under Section 16590, an assault weapon as defined in Section 30510 or 30515, a machinegun as defined in Section 16880, a .50 BMG rifle as defined in Section 30530, or a destructive device as defined in Section 16460.

(2) This chapter does not authorize a person, on or after July 1, 2018, to manufacture or assemble an unsafe handgun, as defined in Section 31910.

(f) The department shall adopt regulations to administer this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 894, Sec. 2.5. (SB 1100) Effective January 1, 2019.)