California Penal Code §32900 — Multiburst Trigger Activator
PC §32900 makes it a straight felony to manufacture, import, keep for sale, offer for sale, give, lend, or possess any multiburst trigger activator in California. Punishable by 16 months, 2, or 3 years in county jail under PC §1170(h). PC §16930 defines 'multiburst trigger activator' broadly to include devices designed to increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm — sweeping in bump stocks, trigger cranks, forced-reset triggers, binary triggers, and similar mechanisms.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Multiburst Trigger Activator Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §32900 — Multiburst Trigger Activator at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §32900 — Multiburst Trigger Activator |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Straight Felony |
| Prison Term | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail (§1170(h)) |
| Definition | PC §16930 — device designed to increase rate of fire of semiautomatic firearm |
| Bump Stock Coverage | Explicitly covered under CA definition (independent of federal ATF ruling) |
| Federal Parallel | 26 USC §5845 (bump-stock rule ATF withdrawn post-Cargill 2024) |
| Exemption | Peace officers acting within scope; certain licensed entities |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — 24/7 |
01 — What Is PC §32900?
What Is California Penal Code §32900?
PC §32900 Reads:
"Any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any multiburst trigger activator is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170."
— California Penal Code §32900 (paraphrased)
PC §32900 targets any device that accelerates the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm — bringing bump stocks, trigger cranks, binary triggers, forced-reset triggers ('FRTs'), and similar mechanisms within a single California statute. The statute is independent of federal ATF classification: California's definition sweeps more broadly than the federal machine-gun definition. Following the 2024 Supreme Court decision in Garland v. Cargill (which invalidated the federal bump-stock rule), California's §32900 remains fully enforceable.
§16930 Definition — Rate of Fire Devices
PC §16930 defines 'multiburst trigger activator' as (a) a device designed or redesigned to be attached to a semiautomatic firearm which allows the firearm to discharge two or more shots in a burst by activating the device, or (b) a manual or power-driven trigger-activating device constructed and designed so that when attached to a semiautomatic firearm it increases the rate of fire of that firearm.
PC §32900 — CA Multiburst Trigger Activator
Any rate-of-fire increasing device attached to semiautomatic firearm. Straight felony — 16m/2/3.
Federal Machine Gun (26 USC §5845)
Fires more than one shot per single trigger pull. Post-Cargill (2024), bump stocks are NOT federal machine guns. California ban remains independent.
Why the CA Definition Reaches Beyond Federal Law
The Supreme Court's June 2024 decision in Garland v. Cargill invalidated the federal bump-stock rule — bump stocks are no longer federal machine guns. But California's §16930 is written to reach 'increased rate of fire' devices regardless of whether the mechanism satisfies the federal single-trigger-pull definition. Bump stocks, binary triggers, forced-reset triggers, and trigger cranks all remain fully criminal under §32900. Rubin Law, P.C. defends by challenging device classification and pursuing mens-rea defense.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §32900
The prosecution must prove each of the following beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant Engaged in Prohibited Conduct
Manufacture, importation, offer for sale, gift, loan, or possession of a multiburst trigger activator.
The Device Is a 'Multiburst Trigger Activator' Under §16930
The device must be designed to allow burst discharge or increase rate of fire. Standard replacement triggers, drop-in triggers, and single-stage/two-stage triggers are NOT §16930 devices.
Defendant Knew of the Character of the Device
In re Jorge M. mens-rea principles apply. The prosecution must prove knowledge of the device's rate-of-fire character.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §32900 Multiburst Trigger Activator in California
§32900 is a straight felony under §1170(h) — county jail rather than state prison, but felony consequences attach.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| §32900 Base Offense | PC §32900 | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail | Available | No |
| Concurrent §30605 | PC §30605 | Up to 3 years — assault weapon | Available | No |
| Concurrent §32310 | PC §32310 | Up to 3 years — LCM | Available | No |
| Machine Gun Conversion | PC §32625 | 4, 6, or 8 years state prison | Rare | No |
| Gang Enhancement | PC §186.22(b) | Adds 2, 3, or 4 years | Rare | Yes |
Enhancements That Increase §32900 Exposure
Actual Machine Gun Conversion
PC §32625
If device actually converts firearm to full-auto, §32625 exposure of 4/6/8 years applies concurrently.
Gang Predicate
PC §186.22(b)
Adds 2-4 years and converts to strike.
Federal Referral
26 USC §5845 / 18 USC §922(o)
If device converts firearm to machine gun under federal definition, USAO pickup possible — 10-year federal exposure.
Concurrent Assault Weapon
PC §30605
Rate-of-fire device + assault weapon frequently charged together.
Multiple Devices
PC §32900
Inventory of devices supports enhanced sentencing and separate counts.
Beyond the Sentence
- Device forfeiture — no return regardless of value
- PC §29800 lifetime firearm prohibition
- Federal 18 USC §922(g)(1) lifetime prohibition
- Federal §922(o) machine-gun exposure if actual full-auto conversion
- Immigration deportability under 8 USC §1227(a)(2)(C)
- Enhanced-scope firearms surrender under PC §29810
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §32900 Multiburst Trigger Activator Charges
§32900 defenses focus on device classification and mens rea.
Not a Rate-of-Fire Device
Device is a standard drop-in, match, target, or replacement trigger — not designed to increase rate of fire. Expert-witness testimony on trigger function.
PC §16930
In re Jorge M. Mens Rea
Prosecution must prove knowledge of the rate-of-fire character. Reliance on manufacturer representation; installed before statutory clarification.
In re Jorge M.
Constructive-Possession Defense
Shared home, third-party firearm, no knowledge of installed device. People v. Sifuentes.
People v. Sifuentes
Fourth Amendment Suppression
Warrantless search, overbroad warrant, Rodriguez prolongation. PC §1538.5 motion.
PC §1538.5
Peace-Officer Exemption
Sworn peace officers acting within scope of duties are exempt under §32900(b) and §32990.
PC §32900(b)
Antique / Historic Firearm
Certain pre-1899 firearms with historic mechanisms fall outside §16930 definition — expert classification review.
PC §16930
§17(b) Reduction
§32900 is charged as straight felony but §1170(h) sentencing allows probation. Careful plea negotiation to reduce collateral consequences.
PC §1170(h)
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §32900 Multiburst Trigger Activator Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
§32900 cases follow the felony track with device-classification litigation.
- 1
Step 1 — Search & Seizure
Cases arise from warrant searches, traffic stops with firearm discovery, probation searches, and DOJ APPS enforcement.
- 2
Step 2 — DOJ Device Analysis
CA DOJ Bureau of Firearms inspects trigger mechanism, function-tests the device, and prepares classification report.
- 3
Step 3 — Federal Coordination
ATF NFA branch may be consulted on classification, especially post-Cargill for bump-stock cases.
- 4
Step 4 — Filing Decision
DA reviews §32900 (rate of fire) vs. §32625 (actual machine gun) filing. Straight felony §32900 is standard for rate-of-fire devices short of full-auto.
- 5
Step 5 — Motion Practice
PC §1538.5 suppression, §995 dismissal on classification, expert-witness challenges to DOJ function-test.
- 6
Step 6 — Resolution
Classification-defense dismissal, probation plea with forfeiture, or trial.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §32900 Multiburst Trigger Activator Cases
§32900 cases are prosecuted at LA County criminal courthouses.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Multiburst Trigger Activator Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with multiburst trigger activator 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 §32900 in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Multiburst Trigger Activator Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §32900 Multiburst Trigger Activator Questions — Los Angeles
Are bump stocks illegal in California even after Garland v. Cargill?
Yes. Garland v. Cargill (June 2024) invalidated the FEDERAL bump-stock rule — bump stocks are no longer federal machine guns under 26 USC §5845. But California's §16930 defines multiburst trigger activator by rate-of-fire increase, independent of federal single-trigger-pull analysis. Bump stocks remain fully criminal under §32900.
Are binary triggers legal in California?
No. Binary triggers (one shot on pull, one shot on release) satisfy §16930's rate-of-fire increase definition and are prohibited under §32900. Same for forced-reset triggers ('FRTs'), which increase reset speed to accelerate fire rate.
What about trigger cranks?
Prohibited. Manual or power-driven trigger-activating devices fall squarely within §16930's second definitional prong. Trigger cranks were an early target of the statute.
Are standard drop-in triggers legal?
Yes. Standard drop-in triggers, single-stage triggers, two-stage triggers, and match/target triggers that do NOT increase the rate of fire fall outside §16930. Trigger PULL WEIGHT reduction alone is not §16930 — the device must accelerate the rate of discharge, not just lighten the pull.
What is the difference between §32900 and §32625?
§32900 targets DEVICES that increase rate of fire on a semiautomatic firearm. §32625 targets actual full-auto MACHINE GUNS as defined in §16880 (fires more than one shot per single trigger pull). Same firearm can trigger both — device charged under §32900, converted firearm under §32625.
Is there a federal parallel to §32900?
Federal law regulates machine guns under 26 USC §5845 and 18 USC §922(o), and Cargill (2024) narrowed the federal machine-gun definition. There is no direct federal parallel to §32900's rate-of-fire device statute — California's ban is broader than current federal law.
Can I take a bump stock or binary trigger to a state where it is legal?
Transporting through or possessing in California is criminal under §32900. Federal 18 USC §926A interstate-travel protection does not apply to §32900 — that provision addresses firearms, not accessories. Physical presence in California with a rate-of-fire device is possession.
Can §32900 be reduced to a misdemeanor?
§32900 is charged as a straight felony under §1170(h) — county jail rather than state prison. PC §17(b) reduction is not automatic and depends on the specific charging language. Best path is dismissal on classification defense or plea reduction to §32310/§30605 misdemeanor where the case involves multiple charges.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged Under PC §32900 Multiburst Trigger Activator?
Device classification, mens rea, and expert-witness analysis drive these cases. Cargill did NOT decriminalize bump stocks in California. Call Rubin Law, P.C. — free consult (213) 723-2337.