What Is a Desert Eagle?
Firstly, it is essential to understand exactly what a Desert Eagle is and how it differs from a standard handgun. A Desert Eagle is a semi-automatic pistol regardless of the precise model that you have. Desert Eagles are among the heaviest handguns on the market and some of the most powerful. They typically weigh well over three pounds and they are made from heavy-duty zinc die-casting and a steel core.
A Desert Eagle is manufactured by Magnum Research, an American company, and they are assembled in the United States. The Desert Eagle was first manufactured in 1985 without a polymer grip. Desert Eagles were first imported into California in 1993 and most models were banned under the Roberti-Roos Ban of 1999. Only the Mark XIX has been permitted for importation , but only in select states and only in a few specific configurations.
Desert Eagles have a unique design that sets them apart from a lot of other semi-automatic handguns. For starters, Desert Eagles have a bolt for delayed gas operation. This feature is why there is a gap on the firearm where some other models may not have a gap.
While many other handguns do not have flared grips, Desert Eagles are designed with a flared front grip to give you a solid grip on the firearm. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of a Desert Eagle is the large barrel and long muzzle. Most standard pistols have small, thin barrels. Ruger’s standard handgun, for instance, only has a one-inch barrel. Desert Eagles have barrels that are often over ten inches long and there are some models that are even longer than that.
California Gun Legislation Explained
California has some of the most stringent gun laws in the entire country. The best option to learn about many of the regulations concerning gun ownership is to visit the Department of Justice website that contains and updates the laws and other information. The following information will give you some of the details concerning gun ownership with California:
Some of the specific laws that affect handgun ownership are the magazine capacity laws, which limit civilian ownership of handguns that have magazine capacities greater than 10 rounds.
The state now has a "roster of handguns certified for sale," which lists semi-automatic pistols and revolvers that have been certified for sale in California after January 1, 2006. All handguns that are not on this list are illegal to purchase in the state, although handguns that are already owned may remain in anyone’s possession without being affected by the law.
Handguns must have microstamping capabilities if they are to be sold after January 1, 2013. The law requires that any new handgun manufactured on or after that date must bear characteristics that allow law enforcement agencies to trace bullets that have been fired from guns and the guns from which they were fired. The Troy Highlander pistol is the first legally registered gun that contains a microstamping capability.
Desert Eagles – Legal in California?
A fully-operational Desert Eagle is one of those firearms that draws attention whether it is fired or not. The Desert Eagle gives the impression that it is nothing to mess around with. But while Legal Desert Eagles are certainly more impressive than a lot of other handguns, their notoriety does not give them any sort of special legal status. Legal Desert Eagles are treated the same as any other handgun in California. All Desert Eagles legal under California law are either single-action trigger systems or double-action only systems. Outside of the state of California, Desert Eagles come with three different calibers. These include: .50 caliber, .44 markup, and .357. Unfortunately only the .44 magnum Desert Eagle is legal under California law. Moreover, the .44 magnum Desert Eagle must have a magazine safety. Without this particular safety device, Nevada Desert Eagles are not legal under California law. Under California gun laws, Desert Eagles are classified as non-roster handguns. As such, there are requirements that must be followed regarding the acquisition and transfers of Desert Eagles in the state. However, unlike many other non-roster firearms, Desert Eagles are unavailable through private party transactions.
The California Handgun Roster Explained
For most gun owners in the United States, the law governing handgun possession is pretty simple. For the average California resident, however, gun laws tend to be more nuanced and often confusing. Unlike most other states, California has an active roster of handguns that have been certified for use. The California Department of Justice maintains this list, monitoring when specific models may become obsolete or are routinely tested to ensure that they continue to comply with safety standards.
Handguns that have recently passed certification may be purchased by anyone who is legally permitted to own guns. The California Handgun Roster also allows for some exemptions, including any gun that was expressly granted an exemption by the state Senate Bill 15. This exception only applies to guns manufactured prior to 2013, but even this may apply to certain models of Desert Eagles manufactured after 2013.
There are some states like Massachusetts that issue handgun permits. However, California legally defines its handgun regulations in one of two ways. First, it governs the types of pistols, revolvers, and any other handgun models that require that a special permit be received or one that is exempted from the requirement for some reason. The second critical aspect of California’s handgun laws defines the manufacturer, importer, and models that may be registered for sale in the state.
Whether or not a handgun model is included in the roster is critical to determine whether it can be sold legally in California. There are a few exceptions to the registration requirement, and the first is for the individual who wishes to acquire handguns on the roster using a private party transfer. A second exemption allows individuals who are exempt from licensing requirements to acquire guns in the state, while a third category includes individuals who inherit a specific gun model.
Desert Eagles California Permit Requirements
Like many firearms in the county, a Desert Eagle requires a firearms dealer or public safety department to issue a permit to purchase a Desert Eagle pistol. These permits are only good for 30 days, so it is important to get your paperwork as quickly as possible.
In addition to the necessary forms and certificates, anyone who applied for a Desert Eagle must undergo a background check. For the most part , the background check at the Department of Justice electronic system is an automatic process. For the Desert Eagle, the Department of Justice will typically conduct a background check which is more involved, as the Desert Eagle is one of the rarest pistols to obtain in the state. If there is ever a problem with getting a Desert Eagle, it is likely because this background check is taking longer than expected.
In order to buy this powerful pistol, you should be able to answer yes to all of the following:
Illegal Possession Consequences
The purchase and possession of a Desert Eagle is illegal unless regulated by an appropriate license. Each of these laws bears with it a penalty that may be applied should you be found to be in possession of an illegal Desert Eagle. In most cases, in order for you to have purchased the Desert Eagle, you will have had to have done so in person and through a dealer who has an FFL. If it is found that you have violated California law against purchasing a Desert Eagle without a license, this is a felony. Under California Penal Code Section 32310, anyone found to be in possession of a firearm that does not bear an appropriate serial number may be subject to a misdemeanor or a felony charge. In fact, if you are found in possession of any illegal firearm including a Desert Eagle, you could be charged with a felony amounting to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. In addition, if you have a Desert Eagle that is illegal to possess, you may also face additional charges through federal law should the FBI take on your case. Federal laws pertaining to gun ownership are unsurprisingly strict. The federal laws state that: If the Desert Eagle is found to be fully automatic, then you could be subject to even stiffer penalties. Under Federal law, it is illegal to possess a machine gun that was manufactured after 1986, and this includes the Desert Eagle. For possession of a machine Desert Eagle you can face up to 10 years in prison and another $250,000 in fines.
Desert Eagle California Alternatives
For those who want to own a top-tier, powerful sidearm, but are not comfortable with the potential legal ramifications of owning a Desert Eagle in California, there are alternatives. While many states allow .50-caliber handguns with few restrictions, California is not one of those states, and all firearms must be registered with the state prior to purchase.
When it comes to selecting a gun that has the same specs, performance, and feel as the Desert Eagle, there are a few models that gun enthusiasts have considered over the years. The Browning 1911-22 is another gun that has captured the attention of gun owners for some time now. Not only does it have the same look as the Desert Eagle, but it also has a firing style that’s similar. Recoil is manageable, and the gun boasts the same 10-round detachable magazine that is common for most similar firearms.
Another option to consider is the Smith & Wesson 1911. This semi-automatic .45 ACP handgun is a great alternative if you are looking for an automatic pistol that has a little more power than the iconic 1911. The magazine holds 8+1 rounds and has a polymer grip for added support. The portability of the S&W 1911 makes it easy to carry and conceal.
Fifty caliber handguns are not legal for civilian ownership in California, but many gun enthusiasts are still passionate about their firearms. Those that are thinking about purchasing a Desert Eagle or other .50 caliber handgun should first think through the process carefully. If you aren’t convinced that owning one of these massive firearms is a good idea, or simply don’t want to pass through the legal hoops to legally own one, there are a lot of .45 caliber weapons on the market that are similar in style and performance.
Recent Changes in the Law
One of the most significant legal developments with respect to Desert Eagles and similar weapons occurred in 2013. In that year, a gunman opened fire at the Los Angeles International Airport. Because of that incident, California significantly revised its gun laws.
It is still legal to own a Desert Eagle in California. However, it must be the .357 magnum version. The gun cannot have a threaded barrel, which means it cannot be silenced or have a special recoil compensator. The magazine for the Desert Eagle must also be a single, fixed magazine.
Californians who wish to own a Desert Eagle can still find and purchase one from an independent dealer. These guns are not available through California firearm retailers, though, because of the new restrictions on firearms. The old Desert Eagles were banned because they were on a list of banned guns in 2005. Therefore , only specific types of Desert Eagles are legal to own in the state. The original version of the gun, known as the Mark I, was not banned, but the Mark II and the Mark XIX were.
Because only the original Mark I is legal to own in California, significant numbers of people are rushing to purchase this specific weapon. Now, the existing inventory of these weapons is limited, making it difficult for people to track one down. Still, it is possible to locate a legal Desert Eagle through one of the few retailers the state has authorized to sell this weapon.
The Desert Eagle and other firearms are always subject to changes in the law. If a new law changes the status of the Desert Eagle in California, this section of the article will be updated to reflect the new laws.