You're allowed to own a gun in California, but CCW/CHL, etc permits are almost impossible to obtain in many places. I came from Kern County (Bakersfield) which has a motto by the sheriff's department, shoot first ask second....but yet getting a permit is very difficult. Can't just state for self-protection. But owning a gun is legal. But not just any gun of course... I live in Texas now...and am loving it simply for the gun laws...hahah...not much else.