California DOJ Releases 2025 Armed and Prohibited Persons System Annual Report

CA Attorney General Press Releases

Published March 13th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

The California Department of Justice released its 2025 Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) annual report, detailing efforts to remove prohibited individuals and seize illegal firearms. The report highlights the removal of 10,746 prohibited individuals and the seizure of 1,437 firearms.

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What changed

The California Department of Justice has released its 2025 Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) annual report, detailing enforcement actions taken to identify and remove individuals prohibited from possessing firearms. The report indicates that 10,746 prohibited individuals were removed from the APPS list and 1,437 firearms were seized. This includes significant seizures of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in targeted operations.

This report serves as a notice of ongoing enforcement activities by the California DOJ regarding firearms regulation. While it does not impose new direct obligations on regulated entities, it underscores the state's commitment to enforcing existing firearms laws. Compliance officers should be aware of these enforcement trends and ensure their organizations and clients adhere strictly to all federal and state firearms prohibitions and relinquishment requirements to avoid potential scrutiny or penalties.

What to do next

Review the 2025 APPS annual report for enforcement trends.
Ensure all clients and internal processes comply with California's firearms prohibition and relinquishment laws.
Stay informed about state-level enforcement actions related to firearms.

Source document (simplified)

California Department of Justice Releases 2025 Armed and Prohibited Persons System Annual Report

Press Release
California Department of Justice Releases 2025 Armed and Pro… Friday, March 13, 2026 Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov DOJ removed a record high number of individuals from APPS through enforcement and compliance efforts

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the release of the 2025 Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) annual report. Established in 2006 as the first system of its kind in the nation, the APPS database identifies individuals who legally acquired firearms, became prohibited from keeping them, and then failed to relinquish those firearms. Under California and federal law, individuals may be prohibited from owning and possessing firearms due to a number of circumstances — such as felony convictions, violent misdemeanor convictions, restraining orders, or through a determination that a person is a danger to themselves or others as a result of severe mental illness. Pursuant to its goal of increasing public and survivor safety, the APPS program in 2025 aided the California Department of Justice (DOJ) in seizing 1,437 firearms from illegally armed individuals.

“In my role as the state’s chief law enforcement officer, I remain steadfastly committed to combating gun violence and safeguarding public safety for all Californians. Sensible firearms regulation and enforcement save lives, and I applaud the continued dedication of our special agents and professional staff in supporting these vital efforts,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Since the inception of the APPS program in 2006, our special agents have taken tens of thousands of illegal firearms off the streets of California. My office will continue to support these efforts to curb gun violence and keep firearms out of the wrong hands.”

DOJ’s Bureau of Firearms (BOF) oversees the APPS program and field operations. The 2025 APPS Report provides an extensive summary of APPS-related work over the previous year, a categorized breakdown of the reasons for newly prohibited individuals, and the number of agents and staff members hired for APPS enforcement.

2025 APPS Report by the numbers:

DOJ investigated and closed 8,667 cases
DOJ special agents made 26,000 contacts with individuals, an increase of 500 contacts over last year’s record
DOJ recovered 1,437 firearms
DOJ seized 10 ghost guns
DOJ special agents retrieved 465 large-capacity magazines, 2,169 standard-capacity magazines, and 366,482 rounds of ammunition
10,746 prohibited people were removed from the APPS list 2025 APPS Operations In partnership with local law enforcement agencies, DOJ engages in APPS field operations that occur over multiple days within a specific area. Notable examples during 2025 include:

VENTURA COUNTY: In April 2025, DOJ conducted a probation search at the residence of an individual prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior misdemeanor conviction for carrying a loaded firearm. As a result of the search, agents located and seized 11 assault weapons, 11 rifles, 15 pistols, one AK-47 style lower receiver, approximately 15,000 rounds of ammunition, and 64 magazines.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: In June 2025, BOF identified a man prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a mental health adjudication. After being granted a search warrant for the prohibited individual’s residence, agents located and seized nine rifles, two shotguns, one assault weapon, 10 pistols, and approximately 65,435 rounds of ammunition.

About the Bureau of Firearms
BOF serves the people of California through education, regulation, and enforcement actions regarding the manufacture, sale, ownership, safety training, and transfer of firearms and ammunition. BOF staff are leaders in providing firearms expertise and information to law enforcement, legislators, and the general public in a comprehensive program to promote legitimate and responsible firearms possession and use by California residents. More information about the important work of the BOF can be found on the California DOJ’s website here: oag.ca.gov/firearms.

Here is a copy of the report.