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State restoration routes

What your state's own remedy is, who decides it, how long it takes, what it costs, and what it does — and does not — do about the separate federal bar. One row for each jurisdiction that we have checked, with its statute and the day we checked it.
3. Date (today or later)

CALIFORNIA · The state's own restoration route · on Oct 9, 2026

A route exists

In short
California's automatic record relief under § 1203.425 is expressly firearm-irrelevant. A § 1203.4 dismissal does not restore firearm rights. The Judicial Council says: "The California Board of Parole Hearings has forms the court must make available: Petition for Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon; Notice of Filing of Petition for Certificate of Rehabilitation Pardon". Since 1 January 2026 (AB 1078, Stats. 2025, ch. 570), California honours another state's expungement, set-aside or full pardon that restored firearm rights for a nonviolent felony (Pen. Code § 29800(d)-(f)). [Read AB 1078](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1078).
Route
For a California felony conviction, a Governor's pardon is the route the Penal Code names for firearm rights (§§ 4852.17, 4854); a Penal Code § 1203.4 dismissal and automatic relief (§ 1203.425) do not reach firearms. A nonviolent felony from another state may be different - see 'Out-of-state conviction'.
Who decides
The Governor (court for the other remedies)
Waiting period
Certificate of Rehabilitation: 7 years minimum. Direct pardon: none
Fee
None — both the Certificate of Rehabilitation and the pardon application are free
What it restores
For a California felony conviction, a pardon can restore firearm rights: the Governor 'may provide that the person is entitled to exercise the right to own, possess, and keep any type of firearm' (§ 4854). It is discretionary, and never for a person 'ever convicted of a felony involving the use of a dangerous weapon'.
Without this route, does the state firearm bar stay?
After a § 1203.4 dismissal or automatic relief: yes - for a California felony the prohibition in § 29800(a) stays, with no time limit. After a pardon that restores firearm rights: no.
Out-of-state conviction
Since 1 January 2026 (AB 1078, Stats. 2025, ch. 570), § 29800(a) 'does not apply to a conviction for a nonviolent felony under the laws of any other state' if that conviction was 'vacated, set aside, expunged, or otherwise dismissed' and the other state's relief restored firearm rights, or if that state's Governor gave 'a full and unconditional pardon' that restores firearm rights. The statute sets further conditions (Pen. Code § 29800(d)-(f)); read the section and ask a lawyer licensed in California before relying on it.
Effective
—
Next scheduled change
None scheduled in the sources checked
Statute / rule
Cal. Penal Code §§ 4852.17, 4854, 29800; § 1203.425 · Office of the Governor of California — clemency
Checked
Verified Sep 19, 2026
What changed →

State law, with its statute and check date. We do not tell you whether your state's remedy cures your federal bar — that turns on your own facts and on federal case law, and it is the question to take to an attorney. Information only, not legal advice.

Sources

  1. 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(20) — official text — checked Oct 8, 2026
  2. 27 CFR 478.11 — definitions — checked Oct 8, 2026
  3. DOJ — 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4) and mental health — checked Oct 8, 2026
  4. DOJ — Frequently asked questions — checked Oct 8, 2026