California Penal Code §29820 — Minor Prohibited from Firearm
PC §29820 prohibits any person who was adjudged a ward of the juvenile court for an enumerated offense — including violent felonies under §667.5(c), gun-related offenses, and serious §1192.7(c) offenses — from owning, purchasing, receiving, or possessing a firearm until age 30. Violation is a wobbler punishable by up to 3 years in county jail under PC §1170(h).
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Minor Prohibited from Firearm Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §29820 — Minor Prohibited from Firearm at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §29820 — Firearm Prohibition Following Certain Juvenile Adjudications |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Wobbler (misdemeanor or felony) |
| Duration of Prohibition | Until age 30 (not lifetime) |
| Misdemeanor Penalty | Up to 1 year county jail |
| Felony Penalty | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail |
| Triggering Adjudications | §667.5(c) violent felonies, §1192.7(c) serious felonies, firearm offenses, enumerated Welf & Inst §707(b) offenses |
| Federal Parallel | 18 USC §922(g)(1) does NOT apply to juvenile adjudications |
| Overlap with §29800 | §29800 lifetime ban applies when juvenile was tried as adult |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — 24/7 |
01 — What Is PC §29820?
What Is California Penal Code §29820?
PC §29820 Reads:
"A person shall not own, purchase, receive, possess, or have under custody or control, any firearm until the person reaches 30 years of age, if the person, in any court of this state or another state, has been adjudged a ward of the juvenile court because the person committed an offense listed in Section 707(b) of the Welfare and Institutions Code, an offense described in subdivision (b) of Section 1203.073, or any offense involving the use of a dangerous or deadly weapon."
— California Penal Code §29820(a) (paraphrased)
PC §29820 fills a gap in California firearm law: juvenile adjudications are not 'convictions' triggering §29800's lifetime ban or federal 18 USC §922(g)(1). Instead, §29820 imposes an age-30 prohibition on juvenile wards who committed enumerated serious offenses. The statute is aimed at repeat-serious-offender juvenile wards who might otherwise have full firearm rights at age 18.
§29820 vs. §29800 Adult Conviction Ban
§29800 applies to anyone convicted as an adult of a felony — lifetime prohibition. §29820 applies only to juvenile wards whose adjudication was in juvenile court (not tried as adult). If a juvenile is tried as an adult and convicted of a felony, §29800 applies instead — with lifetime rather than age-30 consequences.
PC §29820 — Juvenile Ward Prohibition
Juvenile ward on enumerated serious/violent offense. Age-30 prohibition. Wobbler — misdemeanor or up to 3 years felony.
Why §29820 Matters for Juvenile Records
Many people believe juvenile records are 'sealed' and cannot trigger firearm consequences. §29820 is the exception — CA DOJ maintains juvenile adjudication records for firearm-prohibition purposes even when the record is otherwise sealed under Welf & Inst §781. A juvenile ward adjudicated for §707(b) offenses at age 15 can be charged under §29820 for a firearm found at age 25. Rubin Law, P.C. defends by challenging the underlying juvenile adjudication classification and pursuing §29820 relief.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §29820
To convict under PC §29820, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Defendant Was Adjudged a Ward of the Juvenile Court
A prior sustained juvenile petition (Welf & Inst §602 wardship) is required. Informal probation under §654, deferred entry of judgment, or dismissed petitions do not count.
The Adjudication Was for an Enumerated Offense
Triggering offenses include Welf & Inst §707(b) offenses (murder, robbery, kidnapping, assault with firearm, etc.), PC §1203.073(b) drug offenses, and any offense involving a dangerous or deadly weapon.
The Defendant Owned, Possessed, or Controlled a Firearm Before Age 30
Same actus reus as §29800 — actual or constructive possession, knowledge, and control. The prohibition ends at age 30; possession at or after age 30 is not §29820.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §29820 Minor Prohibited from Firearm in California
§29820 is a wobbler with meaningful misdemeanor-vs-felony distinction driven by DA charging discretion.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| §29820 Misdemeanor | PC §29820 | Up to 1 year county jail | Available | No |
| §29820 Felony | PC §29820 | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail | Available | No |
| Concurrent §29825 | PC §29825 | Up to 3 years county jail | Available | No |
| Concurrent §25400/§25850 | PC §25400 / §25850 | Up to 1 year jail or 16m/2/3y | Available | No |
| Gang Enhancement | PC §186.22(b) | Adds 2, 3, or 4 years consecutive | Rare | Yes |
Enhancements That Increase §29820 Exposure
Gang Enhancement
PC §186.22(b)
Adds 2-4 years and makes offense a strike when possession is gang-related.
Concurrent Firearm Charges
PC §25400 / §25850
Concealed carry, loaded carry, or public possession charged concurrently.
Prior Strike (Adult)
PC §667(e)(1)
If defendant has an adult strike prior, sentence doubles under Three Strikes.
Ammunition Possession
PC §30305
Prohibited persons' ammunition possession is separately chargeable — up to 1 year jail.
Federal Referral (Rare)
18 USC §922(g)
Rare — federal §922(g)(1) generally does not apply to juvenile adjudications.
Beyond the Sentence
- Firearm prohibition until age 30 (state only — federal §922(g)(1) does not apply)
- Firearm forfeiture and surrender to LEA or licensed dealer
- PC §29810 relinquishment obligation on conviction
- Loss of professional licenses (peace officer, security guard, real estate)
- Public housing complications for felony conviction
- Juvenile record NOT sealed for firearm-prohibition purposes
- 10-year DOJ AFS flag even if state record is sealed under Welf & Inst §781
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §29820 Minor Prohibited from Firearm Charges
§29820 defenses are focused on the juvenile adjudication classification and standard possession defenses.
Underlying Adjudication Not Enumerated
Careful classification review — is the prior actually a §707(b) offense, §1203.073(b) drug offense, or dangerous/deadly weapon offense? Many juvenile offenses do not qualify.
Welf & Inst §707(b)
No Sustained §602 Petition
Informal probation under §654, DEJ, or dismissed petitions are not 'wardship' adjudications. Only sustained §602 petitions trigger §29820.
Welf & Inst §602
No Knowing Possession
Standard constructive-possession defenses — passenger in another's vehicle, shared home, no knowledge, no control. People v. Sifuentes controls.
People v. Sifuentes
Fourth Amendment Suppression
Traffic stop pretext, warrantless search beyond scope, and probation-search overreach. Rodriguez v. United States prolongation defense.
PC §1538.5
Age at Time of Possession
Prohibition ends at age 30. Possession at 30+ is not §29820. Careful timeline analysis and DOB documentation.
PC §29820
§17(b) Reduction to Misdemeanor
Post-conviction reduction of felony §29820 to misdemeanor under PC §17(b). Meaningful for professional licensing.
Juvenile Record Relief
Welf & Inst §781 sealing and §782 dismissal can remove the underlying adjudication for many purposes — but NOT for firearm prohibition. Review carefully.
Welf & Inst §781 / §782
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §29820 Minor Prohibited from Firearm Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
§29820 cases follow the standard felony/misdemeanor track with juvenile-adjudication classification issues.
- 1
Step 1 — Traffic Stop / Detention
Most §29820 cases originate with traffic stops, gang-suppression details, or probation searches. Fourth Amendment litigation starts here.
- 2
Step 2 — Arrest & Priors Check
DA runs CA DOJ AFS check and juvenile record retrieval. Classification of prior juvenile adjudication drives the filing decision.
- 3
Step 3 — Filing Decision — Misdemeanor vs. Felony
DA reviews §29820 wobbler election. Prior seriousness, current offense conduct, and gang predicate influence charging.
- 4
Step 4 — Arraignment
OR release common for misdemeanor filings; bail $15,000-$50,000 for felony filings.
- 5
Step 5 — Motion Practice
PC §1538.5 suppression, §995 dismissal on adjudication classification, Pitchess motions, and gang-expert challenges under People v. Sanchez.
- 6
Step 6 — Resolution
Suppression → dismissal; §17(b) reduction plea; misdemeanor plea with firearms surrender; trial on adjudication-classification defense.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §29820 Minor Prohibited from Firearm Cases
§29820 cases are prosecuted at LA County criminal courthouses.
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
Central LA firearm calendar.
Van Nuys Courthouse
San Fernando Valley firearm cases.
Long Beach Courthouse
South Bay firearm cases.
Compton Courthouse
South LA firearm and gang calendar.
Eastlake Juvenile Court
Original juvenile adjudication court — record retrieval and classification review.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Minor Prohibited from Firearm Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with minor prohibited from firearm and related offenses in Los Angeles County courts — including Clara Shortridge Foltz, Van Nuys, Compton, and Pomona. He understands that these cases are won in the details: the suppression hearing that eliminates key evidence, the preliminary hearing cross-examination that exposes a weak witness, the penalty phase argument that keeps a client out of the worst outcome.
This page was written and reviewed by Daniel A. Rubin, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, CA State Bar 302093, with 10+ years of experience defending clients charged under PC §29820 in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Minor Prohibited from Firearm Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §29820 Minor Prohibited from Firearm Questions — Los Angeles
Doesn't a sealed juvenile record protect me from §29820?
No. Even when a juvenile record is sealed under Welf & Inst §781, CA DOJ retains a firearm-prohibition flag in the Automated Firearms System (AFS) until the defendant reaches age 30. Sealing prevents most public disclosure but does NOT eliminate the §29820 prohibition or the DOJ tracking. This is one of the most-misunderstood aspects of California juvenile record law.
Does federal law also prohibit me from owning firearms after a juvenile adjudication?
Generally no. Federal 18 USC §922(g)(1) applies to persons convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment. Juvenile adjudications are not 'convictions' under federal law. However, if the juvenile was tried as an adult under Welf & Inst §707(b) transfer or Prop 57, the resulting adult conviction triggers §922(g)(1) lifetime federal ban.
Which juvenile offenses trigger §29820?
Three categories: (1) Welf & Inst §707(b) offenses — murder, robbery, kidnapping, forcible sex offenses, assault with firearm, escape with force, torture, aggravated mayhem, and voluntary manslaughter, among others; (2) PC §1203.073(b) drug offenses; (3) any offense involving the use of a dangerous or deadly weapon (which is broadly construed).
When does the §29820 prohibition end?
At age 30. The prohibition is absolute until then and lifts automatically on the defendant's 30th birthday. Possession at 30+ is not §29820. Preserving firearms during the prohibition via a §29830 third-party consignee allows return at 30 with a fresh DOJ background check.
Can I get my §29820 conviction reduced to a misdemeanor?
Yes if charged as a felony. PC §17(b) motion reduces the felony to a misdemeanor for all state-law purposes. This is meaningful for professional licensing, immigration relief, and expungement eligibility under PC §1203.4. However, §17(b) reduction does NOT shorten the age-30 prohibition on the underlying juvenile adjudication.
Can I petition to lift the §29820 prohibition before age 30?
No standard petition process exists. Unlike PC §29800 (which permits Governor's pardon restoration) or PC §29805 (10-year automatic expiration), §29820 lifts only at age 30. Executive clemency is theoretically available but rarely granted for firearm-rights restoration.
What if the juvenile adjudication was in another state?
§29820 applies to juvenile adjudications 'in any court of this state or another state' for equivalent enumerated offenses. Out-of-state adjudications must be evaluated for equivalency to §707(b), §1203.073(b), or dangerous/deadly weapon classification — this is often the strongest defense angle for out-of-state priors.
Does §29820 apply to Prop 47 or Prop 57 reclassifications?
Complex. Prop 47 reclassifications of certain drug and property offenses to misdemeanors may remove some §29820 triggers. Prop 57 (2016) enabled DA prosecutors to file juvenile cases directly in adult court — those cases fall under §29800 (lifetime) rather than §29820 (age-30). Careful classification review is essential.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged Under PC §29820 Juvenile-Adjudication Firearm Prohibition?
Juvenile adjudication classification and possession defenses drive these cases. Sealed juvenile records do NOT protect you. Call Rubin Law, P.C. — free consult (213) 723-2337.