State Non-Powder Guns

(This section was last updated August 17, 2010.)

Alabama has no law restricting non-powder guns.

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Alaska has no law restricting non-powder guns.

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(This section was last updated June 28, 2010.)

Arizona has no law restricting non-powder guns.

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Arkansas does not specifically regulate non-powder guns.

See the Arkansas Immunity Statutes section for immunity laws relating to non-powder guns.

See our Non-Powder Guns policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue.

See our Non-Powder Guns policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue.

California prohibits any person from:

• Selling a BB device to a person under age 18.¹ (California defines a “BB device” as any instrument that expels a projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, not exceeding 6mm caliber, through the force of air pressure, gas pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun.²)
• Furnishing a BB device to a person under age 18 without the permission of the minor’s parent or legal guardian.³
• Possessing any “instrument that expels a metallic projectile such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO[2] pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun,” on the grounds of or within any public or private school providing instruction in grades K-12, without the written permission of the school principal.⁴
• Drawing or exhibiting an imitation firearm in a threatening manner in such a way that a reasonable person would fear bodily harm, except in self-defense.⁵ (An “imitation firearm” is any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm, or other device that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm that a reasonable person would perceive that the device is a firearm.⁶)
• Openly displaying or exposing any imitation firearm in a “public place.” “Public place” means any area open to the public and includes streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, front yards, parking lots, automobiles (whether moving or not), buildings open to the general public, including those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings, and public schools and public or private colleges and universities.⁷ (This prohibition does not apply to an imitation firearm whose entire surface is certain bright colors, or which is entirely transparent so that the contents are completely visible.⁸)
• Knowingly possessing an imitation firearm or any instrument that expels a metallic projectile, such as a BB or pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO[2 ]pressure, or spring action, within the sterile area of a public transit facility, if the sterile area is posted with a statement providing reasonable notice of the prohibition.⁹ “Sterile area” means any portion of a public transit facility that is generally controlled in a manner consistent with the public transit authority’s security plan.¹⁰ This prohibition does not apply to persons licensed to carry a concealed weapon.¹¹
• Carrying or possessing an instrument that expels a metallic projectile, such as a BB or pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO[2] pressure, or spring action, in the State Capitol, any legislative office, any office of the Governor or other constitutional officer, or any hearing room in which any committee of the Senate or Assembly is conducting a hearing, or upon the grounds of the State Capitol, which is bounded by 10th, L, 15th, and N Streets in the City of Sacramento, if the firearm is loaded, or the area is posted with a statement providing reasonable notice.¹²

California also prohibits purchasing, selling, manufacturing, shipping, transporting, distributing, or receiving an imitation firearm for commercial purposes unless the imitation firearm is one of the following:

• A non-firing collector’s replica that is historically significant and offered for sale in conjunction with a wall plaque or presentation case;
• A BB device; or
• A device where the entire surface is certain bright colors, or which is entirely transparent so that the contents are completely visible.¹³

This prohibition does not prevent the manufacture, purchase, sale, shipping, transport, distribution, or receipt, by mail or in any other manner, of imitation firearms:

• Solely for export in interstate or foreign commerce;
• Solely for lawful use in theatrical productions, including motion picture, television, and stage productions;
• For use in a certified or regulated sporting event or competition;
• For use in military or civil defense activities, or ceremonial activities; or
• For public displays authorized by public or private schools.¹⁴

California law also prohibits changing, altering, removing, or obliterating any coloration or markings required for any imitation firearm or device as described above in any way that makes the imitation firearm or device look more like a firearm.¹⁵

California requires any imitation firearm manufactured after July 1, 2005 to have, at the time of offer for sale in California, a conspicuous advisory in writing as part of the packaging, stating that: 1) the product may be mistaken for a real firearm by law enforcement officers or others; 2) altering the coloration or markings required by law to make the product look more like an actual firearm is dangerous and possibly illegal; and 3) brandishing or displaying the imitation firearm in public may cause confusion and be a crime.¹⁶

1. Cal. Penal Code § 19910. [↩]
2. Cal. Penal Code § 16250. [↩]
3. Cal. Penal Code § 19915. [↩]
4. Cal. Penal Code § 626.10(a)(1), (f). [↩]
5. Cal. Penal Code § 417.4. [↩]
6. Cal. Penal Code § 16700(a). [↩]
7. Cal. Penal Code § 20170-20180. [↩]
8. Cal. Penal Code § 20175. More specifically, this prohibition does not apply to an imitation firearm whose entire surface is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, or which is entirely constructed of transparent or translucent materials that permit unmistakable observation of the device’s complete contents. [↩]
9. Cal. Penal Code § 171.7. [↩]
10. Id. [↩]
11. Id. Cal. Penal Code § 25655. [↩]
12. Cal. Penal Code § 171c(a)(1). [↩]
13. Cal. Penal Code §§ 16700(b), 20165. [↩]
14. Id. [↩]
15. Cal. Penal Code § 20150. This provision does not apply to any manufacturer, importer, or distributor of imitation firearms, or to their lawful use in theatrical productions. Cal. Penal Code § 20150. [↩]
16. Cal. Penal Code § 20160(a). Any manufacturer, importer, or distributor that fails to comply with this requirement is liable for maximum civil fines of $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the section violation, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent violations. Cal. Penal Code § 20160(b). [↩]

(This section was last updated October 25, 2010.)

Colorado provides for mandatory expulsion from public school for carrying, bringing, using or possessing, without proper authorization, a pellet or BB gun, whether operational or not, designed to propel projectiles by spring action or compressed air.¹ Colorado does not otherwise regulate non-powder guns.

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1. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 22-33-106(1)(d)(I), (II)(B). [↩]

(This section was last updated April 19, 2011.)

Connecticut generally prohibits any person from carrying a “BB gun.”¹ Connecticut also generally bans the knowing possession of a BB gun in a vehicle.²

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1. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(a). An exception exists for possession on the person’s own property or on the property of another with authorization from that person or party. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206(b)(6). [↩]
2. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(a). This prohibition does not apply if the BB gun is unloaded and stored in the trunk of such vehicle or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-38(b). [↩]

(This section was last updated January 18, 2011.)

Delaware prohibits the possession, sale or control of any weapon that, by compressed air, discharges or projects a pellet, slug or bullet, except a B.B. or air gun that is not capable of discharging or projecting a pellet or slug larger than a B.B. shot.¹ Furthermore, the state prohibits transferring in any manner a B.B. or air gun or B.B. shot to a child under age 16, unless the transferor is the child’s parent or guardian or someone with the permission of the child’s parent or guardian.² The state also prohibits allowing a child under age 16 to possess a B.B. or air gun unless under the direct supervision of an adult.³

No person may possess a B.B. gun in a state-designated “Safe School and Recreation Zone.”⁴

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1. Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 1445(1)(a). [↩]
2. Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 1445(2). [↩]
3. Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 1445(3). [↩]
4. Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 1457(a), (b), (i). [↩]

(This section was last updated September 20, 2010.)

The District of Columbia generally prohibits the possession or carrying outside any building of an air rifle, air gun, air pistol, B-B gun or any similar type gun.¹ A person may use an air rifle, air gun, air pistol or B-B gun if such use is supervised by a person age 18 or older, for:

• A theatrical performance or athletic contest;
• Use at a licensed shooting gallery; or
• Use at other locations where the use of such guns is authorized by the Chief of Police.²

Persons age 18 or older may transport an air rifle, air gun, air pistol or B-B gun within the District if unloaded and securely wrapped.³

The District also prohibits the sale or other transfer to any person under age 18 of an air rifle, air gun, air pistol, B-B gun or a similar type of gun, or ammunition for such weapons.⁴ These transfers are lawful if supervised by a person age 18 or older for:

• A theatrical performance or athletic contest;
• Use at a licensed shooting gallery; or
• Transfer at other locations where the use of the item is authorized by the Chief.⁵

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1. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2301.3. [↩]
2. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2301.5. [↩]
3. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2301.4. [↩]
4. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2302.1. [↩]
5. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2302.3. [↩]

(This section was last updated June 10, 2010.)

Florida law requires any minor under the age of 16 who is using a BB gun, air or gas-operated gun, or electric weapon or device, for any purpose whatsoever, to be under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor’s parent.¹ Florida law also penalizes any adult responsible for the welfare of any child under the age of 16 years who knowingly permits such child to use or have in his or her possession any BB gun, air or gas-operated gun, or electric weapon or device, except under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor’s parent.²

Florida law does not explicitly regulate possession of non-powder guns on school grounds.

See our Non-Powder Guns policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue.

1. Fla. Stat. § 790.22(1). [↩]
2. Fla. Stat. § 790.22(2). [↩]