Possession of a Wallet Gun - California Penal Code 24710 PC

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Strong Legal Representation for Wallet Gun Possession Charges in California

If you have been charged with possession of a wallet gun in California you are facing a wobbler that can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony and the consequences of a felony conviction are permanent. These charges frequently catch people off guard. Many defendants believed the item was a novelty, a collectible, or simply a compact firearm without realizing it met the statutory definition of a wallet gun under California law. Possession alone is sufficient for a charge regardless of whether the weapon was loaded, used, or even known to be a firearm. At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi our criminal defense attorney has spent over 20 years defending clients against firearms charges throughout Los Angeles County. Contact our office today at (310) 448-1529 for a free confidential consultation.

Possession of a Wallet Gun – California Penal Code 24710 PC

Penal Code 24710 PC makes it a crime to manufacture, import, sell, give, lend, or possess a wallet gun in California. A wallet gun is a firearm that is mounted or enclosed in a case or covering designed to look like a wallet and can be fired while still inside its casing. What makes wallet guns particularly prohibited under California law is their deceptive design — they are intentionally disguised to look like ordinary objects and can be discharged without being visibly identified as a firearm.

Wallet guns are generally prohibited weapons under California law and fall under the broader category of generally prohibited weapons governed by Penal Code 16590. Possession of illegal weapon California charges under PC 24710 do not require the weapon to have been used, loaded, or carried in public. Simply having a wallet gun in your home, vehicle, or personal belongings is sufficient for a charge.

Are Wallet Guns Prohibited in California?

Yes. Wallet guns are completely prohibited for civilians in California under Penal Code 24710 PC. There are no exceptions for concealed carry permit holders, collectors, or private owners. The prohibition is absolute and applies regardless of whether the firearm is operable or loaded. The only individuals who may handle these weapons under limited circumstances are federally licensed firearms dealers performing lawful transfers for disposal.

The prohibition exists because wallet guns are specifically designed to evade detection and conceal the fact that the holder is armed. California law treats any weapon designed to deceive others about its true nature as a heightened public safety threat and prosecutes these cases aggressively.

What Is a Wallet Gun Under California Law

Under Penal Code 17330 a wallet gun is defined as a firearm that is mounted or enclosed in a case or covering resembling a wallet and is capable of being fired while remaining inside the casing. The key element is the integrated design — the wallet case and the firearm function as a single unit allowing discharge without exposing the weapon.

Common examples include:

  • Small-caliber pistols embedded in a leather wallet-style casing
  • .22 or .25 caliber handguns concealed inside a rectangular shell with a built-in trigger mechanism
  • Homemade or novelty devices that meet the statutory definition even if not commercially manufactured

Even an item the defendant believed was decorative or inoperable can qualify as a wallet gun under PC 24710 if it meets the statutory definition. Our criminal defense attorney analyzes the specific item at issue against the statutory requirements in every case because when the item does not legally qualify as a wallet gun the charge fails entirely.

What the Prosecution Must Prove

Three elements must be established beyond a reasonable doubt: that the item qualifies as a wallet gun under California law, that the defendant knowingly possessed, manufactured, imported, sold, gave, or lent it, and that no lawful exception applies. The prosecution does not need to prove the weapon was loaded, functional, or intended for use. Knowledge that the item was illegal is not required — only that the defendant knew they possessed it. When the defendant had no reason to know the item was in their possession at all that element can be challenged directly.

Penalties for Possession of a Wallet Gun in California

Because PC 24710 is a wobbler the penalties depend on how the District Attorney files the charge:

  • Misdemeanor: up to one year in county jail, fines up to $1,000, and a 10-year prohibition on owning or possessing any firearm
  • Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail under realignment, fines up to $10,000, and a lifetime ban on firearm ownership under California and federal law

Both result in a permanent criminal record affecting employment, housing, and professional licensing. For non-citizens a felony conviction triggers potential deportation proceedings. When the wallet gun was found alongside other offenses such as drug charges or a violation of Penal Code 23900 PC for altering or removing firearm identification marks additional charges compound the total exposure.

Legal Defenses Against PC 24710 Charges

The Item Does Not Meet the Legal Definition

Not every compact or disguised firearm qualifies as a wallet gun under PC 24710. The item must specifically be a firearm enclosed in a wallet-style casing that can be discharged while remaining inside. Our criminal defense attorney works with independent firearms experts to analyze whether the specific item meets all elements of the statutory definition. When it does not the charge fails on its face.

Unlawful Search and Seizure

Most PC 24710 arrests begin with a search of a vehicle, home, or personal belongings. When that search was conducted without a valid warrant, without probable cause, or beyond its authorized scope our criminal defense attorney files suppression motions immediately. Without the physical weapon the prosecution cannot proceed.

No Knowledge of Possession

When the item was left in a shared vehicle, a bag, or a shared living space by another person without the defendant’s knowledge the knowledge element cannot be established. Our criminal defense attorney builds this defense through the circumstances of where the item was found, who had access to that location, and any evidence connecting the item to another person.

The Arrest Involved Procedural Errors

When law enforcement misclassified the item, failed to follow proper arrest procedures, or violated the defendant’s constitutional rights during the investigation those errors can be raised through pretrial motions to suppress evidence or challenge the sufficiency of the charge.

Contact a Los Angeles Defense Attorney for PC 24710 Charges Today

A wallet gun charge in California carries felony exposure and permanent consequences. With over 20 years of experience defending clients against firearms charges throughout Los Angeles County Attorney Hashemi will analyze the specific item at issue, review the legality of the search, and build a defense strategy from day one. Contact our office today for a free confidential consultation.

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