As a collector of vintage swords, you were very excited to show off your latest acquisition to a friend. You decided to show the sword to them in a parking lot after lunch. You take the sword out of its case and point it at your friend to show them, not realizing an older woman a few parking spots away is still in her car.

Although the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution grants Americans the right to bear arms, getting permission to legally own a firearm in California is not easy. The state of California has some of the strictest regulations when it comes to gun ownership.

Say you are a Los Angeles resident convicted of a felony crime — such as murder, burglary or extortion — quite a few years ago. You served your jail time and were released. You're considering purchasing a gun to keep your family safe.

While California has its own set of rules for gun ownership, there are a few Federal laws that can prohibit someone from owning a firearm even if they meet all of California’s regulations.