Carry is not possession status
Concealment and loaded public carry address different conduct from whether a particular person is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Understanding Firearm Charges and Bail Options
Weapons Charge Bail Bonds in California
A weapons arrest may involve carrying, prohibited-person possession, brandishing or use of a firearm. Those allegations are not interchangeable. Learn how the exact California charge, 2026 Los Angeles County schedule, holds and court orders shape release and whether an authorized bond is relevant.
A firearm allegation is not automatically a felony or a fixed bail amount. Confirm the complete booking and current release order.
Private agency. Not a government office.General information, not legal adviceStep 1 / 3
Who needs to be bailed out?
Enter as much as you know.
- 01Defendant info
- 02Location
- 03Contact info
01 / Understanding Weapons Charge Bonds
Understanding weapons charge bail bonds
Start with the statute—not the phrase “gun charge.”
A bail bond is a surety undertaking for an authorized monetary bail amount and required court appearances. It is not legal representation, a change to a firearm restriction or a guarantee of release. California weapons allegations can concern carrying, possession, threats, assault or discharge; the booked section and subdivision determine which questions must be answered.
Use adds different issues
Brandishing, assault and discharge allegations are distinct offenses with their own elements. A firearm enhancement is separate from the underlying charge.
Release can be nonfinancial
Some LA entries use BR or MR. A paid bond is not necessary for an authorized nonfinancial release, and MR is not a dollar amount.
Orders continue after release
Weapon restrictions, stay-away directions and required appearances remain binding. A bond provider cannot authorize conduct prohibited by a court or statute.
Alleged firearm use in assault or robbery requires analysis of the underlying offense as well as any additional weapons count. A source-of-bail hold requires its own judicial review.
Start with the record: Official inmate search pathways · Jails & detention resources · Courthouse resources. Browse every guide in the bail bond services directory.
02 / Common California Weapons Charges
Common California weapons charges
Six distinct statutory questions.
Carrying & possession
Where the firearm is carried—and who may possess it
Public carrying circumstances and a person’s legal firearm status are separate questions.
PC §25400
Carrying a concealed firearm
- What it covers
- Addresses specified concealed carrying on a person or in a vehicle.
- What distinguishes it
- Concealment is distinct from whether a firearm is loaded. Statutory exceptions and carrying circumstances require legal review.
- Classification
- Can be misdemeanor or felony under the applicable statutory circumstances.
- Why it matters for release
- The felony schedule lists MR; the misdemeanor schedule lists BR. Confirm actual classification.
PC §25850
Carrying a loaded firearm
- What it covers
- Addresses carrying a loaded firearm on the person or in a vehicle in specified public settings.
- What distinguishes it
- Loaded public carry is not the same offense as concealment or prohibited-person possession.
- Classification
- Misdemeanor or felony treatment depends on statutory circumstances.
- Why it matters for release
- Both selected LA schedules list MR, not a universal monetary amount.
PC §29800
Firearm possession by a prohibited person
- What it covers
- Addresses firearm ownership, receipt, possession or control by specified prohibited persons, including qualifying felony-conviction circumstances.
- What distinguishes it
- Other firearm prohibitions use different statutes; the person’s actual legal status matters.
- Classification
- The specified §29800 prohibited-person conduct is a felony.
- Why it matters for release
- The LA felony entry is MR. A felony label does not turn MR into financial bail.
Threat, assault & discharge
Conduct involving a weapon
A possession allegation does not establish assault or discharge. Each offense requires its own statutory elements.
PC §417
Brandishing a deadly weapon or firearm
- What it covers
- Addresses specified drawing, exhibiting or use of a weapon in the statutory circumstances.
- What distinguishes it
- §417(a)(1) concerns a deadly weapon other than a firearm; §417(a)(2) concerns a firearm. Self-defense and other elements are legal questions.
- Classification
- The precise subdivision and circumstances govern classification.
- Why it matters for release
- The selected misdemeanor entries are separately listed as MR; do not substitute the assault entry.
PC §245(a)(2)
Assault with a firearm
- What it covers
- Addresses assault involving a firearm under the identified subdivision.
- What distinguishes it
- Assault is not the same as possession, brandishing or actual discharge. Semiautomatic and protected-person subdivisions differ.
- Classification
- A felony filing is represented by the selected $30,000 schedule row.
- Why it matters for release
- The felony §245(a)(2) row lists $30,000 and a serious-felony marker; covered hearing rules must be checked.
PC §246.3
Grossly negligent firearm discharge
- What it covers
- Addresses discharge in a grossly negligent manner capable of causing injury or death.
- What distinguishes it
- This differs from shooting at an inhabited dwelling and from a personal-discharge enhancement.
- Classification
- Use the actual felony or misdemeanor filing.
- Why it matters for release
- Felony §246.3(a) lists $35,000; the misdemeanor §246.3 row is MR.
03 / Misdemeanor vs. Felony Weapons Charges
Misdemeanor vs. felony weapons charges
The same code number can lead to a different filing.
Classification depends on the statute, subdivision and legally relevant circumstances—not simply whether a firearm was present. The felony and misdemeanor schedules must not be blended. Counsel can review whether a wobbler provision or other statutory treatment applies.
- 01
Concealed carrying
PC §25400- Classification
- Misdemeanor or felony according to the applicable circumstances
- LA County review
- Actual filing and exceptions must be established
- Financial bail
- Felony MR, printed p.23; misdemeanor BR, p.25
- Possible allegations
- Prior and carrying circumstances may affect classification; no universal result
- 02
Loaded public carrying
PC §25850- Classification
- Use the actual filing and statutory circumstances
- LA County review
- MR appears in both selected schedules
- Financial bail
- No fixed monetary amount in either selected entry
- Possible allegations
- Different conduct from concealment; additional cases or holds can remain
- 03
Specified prohibited-person possession
PC §29800- Classification
- Felony for the covered conduct
- LA County review
- Felony entry requires magistrate review
- Financial bail
- MR, felony printed p.24
- Possible allegations
- Actual prohibition and knowledge-related statutory requirements need counsel’s review
- 04
Firearm assault
PC §245(a)(2)- Classification
- Selected felony filing, marked serious in the schedule
- LA County review
- Covered judicial-hearing requirements apply
- Financial bail
- Selected felony amount $30,000, printed p.14
- Possible allegations
- Other assault subdivisions and separately alleged enhancements are different
This comparison is not sentencing advice or a determination of an individual charge. A court order can differ from the pre-arraignment entry.
04 / 2026 LA County Weapons Bail Entries
2026 Los Angeles County weapons charge bail amounts
Exact charge matches—not one amount for the entire topic.
Selected official 2026 Los Angeles County entries, effective January 1, 2026. These are pre-arraignment references, not statewide requirements or a prediction of the judge’s later order. Financial amounts and nonfinancial release classifications are distinct.
- Scheduled amountFinancial schedule entry
A printed monetary condition for the identified offense and charge level, subject to eligibility and later orders.
- BRBook and release
Eligible nonfinancial booking pathway with a promise to appear; exceptions and other custody matters remain relevant.
- MRMagistrate review
Judicial review of release and conditions, or deferral under the protocol. No fixed scheduled financial amount is represented.
- S, VSerious / violent markers
The PDF marks qualifying entries as serious or violent. Legal coverage and required hearing procedures must be confirmed.
| Charge or circumstance | Statute | Context | LA pre-arraignment | Amount | What happens next | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concealed firearm carrying — felony | PC §25400 | Felony filing · LA County | MR | Judicial review — no fixed scheduled amount | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. The magistrate’s actual decision controls; MR is not automatic release. | Felony schedule, p. 23 (opens in a new tab) |
| Loaded firearm carrying — felony | PC §25850 | Felony filing · LA County | MR | Judicial review — no fixed scheduled amount | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. The magistrate’s actual decision controls; MR is not automatic release. | Felony schedule, p. 23 (opens in a new tab) |
| Specified prohibited-person possession | PC §29800 | Felony filing · LA County | MR | Judicial review — no fixed scheduled amount | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. The magistrate’s actual decision controls; MR is not automatic release. | Felony schedule, p. 24 (opens in a new tab) |
| Assault with a firearm — felony | PC §245(a)(2) | Felony · serious marker | $ | $30,000 | Confirm the full booking, posting authority and latest court order. This selected entry does not establish individual eligibility. | Felony schedule, p. 14 (opens in a new tab) |
| Grossly negligent firearm discharge — felony | PC §246.3(a) | Felony · schedule marks S | $ | $35,000 | Confirm the full booking, posting authority and latest court order. This selected entry does not establish individual eligibility. | Felony schedule, p. 14 (opens in a new tab) |
| Concealed firearm carrying — misdemeanor | PC §25400 | Misdemeanor filing · LA County | BR | Nonfinancial booking protocol | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. An eligible BR pathway needs no commercial bond; booking and required checks still occur. | Misdemeanor schedule, p. 25 (opens in a new tab) |
| Loaded public firearm carrying — misdemeanor | PC §25850 | Misdemeanor filing · LA County | MR | Judicial review — no fixed scheduled amount | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. The magistrate’s actual decision controls; MR is not automatic release. | Misdemeanor schedule, p. 25 (opens in a new tab) |
| Brandishing a deadly weapon other than a firearm | PC §417(a)(1) | Misdemeanor filing · LA County | MR | Judicial review — no fixed scheduled amount | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. The magistrate’s actual decision controls; MR is not automatic release. | Misdemeanor schedule, p. 17 (opens in a new tab) |
| Brandishing a firearm | PC §417(a)(2) | Misdemeanor filing · LA County | MR | Judicial review — no fixed scheduled amount | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. The magistrate’s actual decision controls; MR is not automatic release. | Misdemeanor schedule, p. 17 (opens in a new tab) |
| Grossly negligent discharge — misdemeanor | PC §246.3 | Misdemeanor filing · LA County | MR | Judicial review — no fixed scheduled amount | Check statutory exceptions, other charges and holds. The magistrate’s actual decision controls; MR is not automatic release. | Misdemeanor schedule, p. 14 (opens in a new tab) |
- The schedules list §25400, §25850 and §29800 at section level. No subdivision-specific financial amount is inferred. §25400 differs by filing: felony MR versus misdemeanor BR.
- PC §245(a)(2) is $30,000; it is not the amount for every assault subdivision or every weapon offense. §246.3(a) is a different $35,000 felony row.
- Enhancement rules are separate. Printed felony pp.27–28 address qualifying firearm and injury allegations; do not add them automatically to this table.
- MR means review, not guaranteed release. Warrants, supervision, additional charges and current court decisions can change the pathway.
- Official scheduleLos Angeles Superior Court — 2026 felony bail scheduleView court schedule: Los Angeles Superior Court — 2026 felony bail schedule (opens in a new tab)
- Official scheduleLos Angeles Superior Court — 2026 misdemeanor bail scheduleView court schedule: Los Angeles Superior Court — 2026 misdemeanor bail schedule (opens in a new tab)
Not sure what the weapons charge means for bail?
05 / Gun Possession vs. Firearm Use
Gun possession vs. use of a firearm
Different conduct. Different legal questions.
- Possession / carrying
Presence and legal control
A concealed, loaded or prohibited-person allegation can concern carrying or possession without establishing that the firearm was used to threaten or injure anyone. Statutory knowledge, location and exception issues belong with counsel.
- Threat / assault
Exhibition or alleged assault
Brandishing and firearm assault are distinct from mere possession. The exact conduct, subdivision and applicable defenses must be reviewed; neither label proves discharge.
- Discharge / injury
Alleged firing and resulting harm
Grossly negligent discharge, shooting at specified places and separate firearm-use allegations have different elements. An injury allegation must not be assumed from the presence of a weapon.
PC §12022.5
Personal firearm-use enhancement provisions apply only in qualifying circumstances; this is not a standalone possession offense.
PC §12022.53
Personal use, discharge and discharge causing qualifying injury or death are distinct allegations for covered offenses. Do not treat every gun charge as covered.
PC §12022.7
Qualifying great-bodily-injury allegations are separate from firearm possession. Statutory exclusions and requirements matter.
Separate charges
A robbery or assault allegation can accompany a weapons booking. Each count and release condition must be checked.
Written court restrictions
A release order can prohibit possession or require specific compliance. A bond does not restore firearm rights or override an order.
Counsel’s role
Defenses, classification, prohibited status and enhancement applicability are legal questions. A bail agent cannot decide them or change court orders.
No enhancement total is calculated here. The official schedule’s rules—not a generic weapons calculator—govern an actual booking.
06 / Enhancements & Release Restrictions
Weapons charge enhancements & release restrictions
The individual court order controls.
PC §1270.1
Required open-court hearings
For covered offenses, own-recognizance release or bail above or below the schedule requires an open-court hearing with statutory notice.
Counsel should confirm coverage and request the required procedure. An agent cannot waive the hearing.
PC §1275
Public safety & appearance
The court considers public and victim safety, seriousness of the offense, criminal history and likelihood of appearance.
A judicial officer, not a bond provider, can change lawful conditions.
Constitutional framework
Ability to pay & less restrictive alternatives
In re Humphrey requires consideration of ability to pay and less restrictive alternatives before financial bail results in detention. Public and victim safety and constitutional restrictions still matter. Neither hardship nor a scheduled figure guarantees release.
- Enhancements are not automaticThe felony schedule addresses firearm and bodily-injury allegations on printed pp.27–28. A listed enhancement row does not apply without the qualifying allegation and computation rules.
- Warrants & supervisionAnother warrant, felony probation, parole or PRCS matter may affect review or impose a separate hold. One bond does not clear every custody basis.
- PC §1270.1 coverageFor covered serious or violent offenses and other listed cases, the required hearing governs own-recognizance release or schedule departures. Not every weapons case is covered identically.
- Current order & posting authorityBefore paying, confirm the actual monetary amount, any pending hearing and whether posting is authorized. Constitutional limits and existing orders remain controlling.
07 / What Happens After a Weapons Arrest?
What happens after a weapons arrest?
Booking information comes before a financial decision.
- Scenario Identity
Booking & agency checks
The responsible agency records identity and alleged sections and checks other custody matters. The arrest entry is not a conviction and may differ from later filing.
Confirm the agency and complete booking - Scenario BR
Eligible nonfinancial booking release
A misdemeanor §25400 entry is BR under the selected LA schedule. Eligibility, exceptions and other charges are checked; no commercial premium is needed for an authorized nonfinancial pathway.
Do not purchase an unnecessary bond - Scenario MR
Magistrate decision
Selected firearm possession and carrying entries are MR. A magistrate considers release and conditions or defers under the protocol; the initials alone are not a financial amount.
Wait for the actual decision - Scenario Financial
Authorized financial bail
Certain felony entries have financial amounts. If monetary security applies and posting is permitted, a surety bond can secure the undertaking while court conditions remain in force.
Verify amount, terms and posting authority - Scenario Hold
Another matter remains
Additional counts, warrants, supervision or a pending hearing can keep a person in custody. Payment on one case cannot bypass another lawful restriction.
Identify every unresolved custody basis
Agency processing and judicial review vary. No release-hour guarantee is made. At arraignment and later proceedings the judicial officer makes the lawful decision.
Get bail help08 / How Weapons Bonds Work
How weapons charge bail bonds work
Five stages. Verification before posting.
Use a bond only when authorized financial bail is relevant. A weapons restriction or separate hold requires its own lawful resolution.
Locate the booking
Confirm identity, responsible agency and current facility through official custody pathways.
Read the exact charge
Verify section, subdivision, charge level, other counts and the latest release designation or order.
Resolve pending review
Counsel addresses required hearings and legal requests. Confirm posting authority rather than treating MR as approval.
Review & submit the undertaking
For an authorized bond, understand filed premium, collateral, indemnity and payment terms before posting with the appropriate authority.
Follow release & court conditions
The facility completes checks and processing. Attend required hearings and obey weapon, contact and other conditions.
09 / Weapons Charge Bond Costs
Weapons charge bail bond costs
Premium, collateral and full-bond liability are separate.
Actual financial amount
Use the current authorized bond amount, not an online example. A premium does not buy a reduction in court-ordered security.
Applicable filed premium
California premiums are most commonly around 10% in general practice. The surety’s filed rate and applicable rules determine the actual charge; no Set Free rate is verified or quoted here.
Collateral & indemnity
Security may be required separately from the premium. Read what property is pledged, return conditions and the co-signer’s potential full-bond liability before signing.
Written payment arrangements
If approved, installments spread the premium over time. Ask about the initial payment, balance, due dates and permitted costs; no discount or approval is promised.
Refund questions
The premium is generally not refunded simply because charges are dismissed or the defendant is acquitted. Contract terms and lawful exceptions matter. Cash bail and collateral have different return rules.
Nonfinancial release
Where a lawful nonfinancial pathway is authorized, a commercial bond and its premium are unnecessary. MR is review, not a fee quotation.
10 / Finding Someone in Custody
Finding someone arrested on weapons charges
Locate the person. Confirm the court order.
Official custody information
- Match identifying informationUse legal name and birth date if available; a booking number helps distinguish similar names. Keep sensitive information private.
- Confirm current housingArrest location does not establish the current facility. County intake, municipal custody and transfers can involve different locations.
- Check the responsible agencyLASD tools cover county custody; municipal, state and federal systems can be separate. Online results can lag behind booking or transfer.
Case & release information
- Read the filed caseA prosecutor’s filing can differ from the arrest entry. Verify the actual statute, subdivision and charge level through counsel and official records.
- Confirm the latest orderDetermine whether the listed release status is a schedule entry, magistrate review or a later judicial decision. Another case or hold can remain.
- Verify the assigned hearingConfirm courthouse, department, date and appearance instructions from the case record. Geography alone does not assign custody or court.Open courthouse resources
Los Angeles Superior Court — criminal division
View official resource: Los Angeles Superior Court — criminal division (opens in a new tab)Use the published custody, court and location directories for available pathways. Review county hubs and specific service guides are informational until their publication status permits direct public links.
11 / Before Posting Bail
What families should know before posting bail
Start with what you know.
Person & identifying details
Legal name, optional birth date or approximate age, and booking number if known. Optional identifying fields remain optional.
Agency & known location
City or county of arrest and confirmed facility if available. Distinguish what is verified from what is assumed.
Exact charge & court record
Booked section and subdivision, case number, actual bail information, known holds and next hearing date help clarify the pathway.
Counsel & contact information
Have your contact details ready and consult counsel about classification, defenses and legal requests. You can ask for assistance before every record is available.
Terms before signing
Ask about filed premium, collateral, installments, indemnity and remaining court restrictions. Do not rely on an informal payment promise.
Plan for appearances
Retain release papers, verify hearing instructions and arrange communication with counsel. Obey every condition; release is not dismissal.
You do not need every record before asking for help. Keep sensitive documents private; this checklist does not collect or save answers.
Get bail helpPublished custody & court directories
Local custody, court & area resources
Find the person. Find the court.
Official inmate search pathways
Verify identity and the responsible custody agency; a missing online result does not rule out an arrest.
Jails & detention resources
Confirm current housing and available agency information without assigning a facility from the arrest city.
Courthouse resources
Use the case record to confirm the assigned courthouse, department and next hearing.
County & location directory
Browse county and local resources, then confirm the responsible agency and court using the booking or case record.
12 / Weapons Charge FAQs
Weapons charge bail bond frequently asked questions
Straight answers, honest limits.
Content updated November 3, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Are all California weapons charges felonies?
No. The statute and circumstances determine classification. Carrying statutes can have misdemeanor and felony treatment, while specified §29800 prohibited-person conduct is a felony. Use the actual filing rather than assuming a firearm automatically establishes a felony.
Does concealed carrying have the same bail as loaded carrying?
Not necessarily. Concealment and loaded public carrying are different conduct. In the selected LA misdemeanor schedule §25400 is BR while §25850 is MR; both felony entries are MR. Those classifications are not fixed monetary quotes.
What is the LA designation for prohibited-person firearm possession?
The 2026 felony §29800 row is MR on printed p.24. A magistrate reviews release; the designation does not itself require buying a bond or guarantee freedom. Verify other allegations, holds and the actual judicial decision.
Is brandishing the same as assault with a firearm?
No. The selected misdemeanor §417(a)(1) and (a)(2) rows concern distinct brandishing conduct and are MR. The felony §245(a)(2) firearm-assault entry is $30,000. Do not substitute one statute’s treatment for another allegation.
What does MR mean after a gun arrest?
It means magistrate review under the LA protocol. The magistrate considers release and conditions or defers consideration where the protocol requires. MR is neither a fixed bail amount nor a guarantee of nonfinancial release.
Can a weapons defendant qualify for release without a commercial bond?
Yes, if the applicable nonfinancial pathway or judicial order permits release and other restrictions are resolved. The selected misdemeanor concealed-carry row is BR. Confirm eligibility and the complete booking before discussing a premium.
Do firearm enhancements automatically apply to every weapons case?
No. Personal use, discharge, qualifying injury and underlying-offense requirements differ by statute. A separate enhancement allegation and the schedule’s computation rules must be established. Presence of a firearm alone is not an automatic enhancement total.
Is $30,000 the bail amount for every firearm assault?
No. That is the selected felony §245(a)(2) entry. Semiautomatic-firearm and protected-person assault subdivisions have different entries, and other allegations or judicial orders can change the result. The table is not an individual eligibility promise.
Can a bond agent remove firearm restrictions?
No. Posting a bond does not restore firearm rights, cancel a protective order or authorize prohibited possession. Counsel should explain the actual statute and release order; the defendant must comply with all conditions.
Is a hearing always required in a weapons case?
It depends on the offense and requested decision. Section 1270.1 requires an open-court hearing for covered own-recognizance release or bail departures. MR is also a review pathway. Neither rule means every gun allegation has identical treatment.
How is a weapons bond premium calculated?
The premium follows the surety’s applicable filed rate and rules. At an assumed 10%, a $30,000 bond illustrates a $3,000 premium and a $35,000 bond illustrates $3,500. These are educational arithmetic, not Set Free quotes or promises of approval.
Can collateral or installments be required?
Collateral may be required separately from the premium. An approved written arrangement may permit installments, but availability and terms vary. Review the pledged property, payment schedule and indemnity obligations before signing; no collateral-free or financing promise is made.
Why could a person remain held after posting a weapons bond?
A warrant, another charge, supervision restriction, court condition or facility processing may remain. Posting must be authorized and accepted. A bond on one matter cannot resolve a separate hold or guarantee a release time.
Will a later dismissal automatically refund the premium?
Generally no. A surety premium is not ordinarily refunded just because charges are dismissed or the defendant is acquitted; lawful exceptions and the written agreement matter. Cash bail and collateral have different return rules.
What should families prepare for weapons bail help?
Begin with legal name, known arrest city or county and your contact information. Booking number, exact sections, facility and hearing details help if available. Keep legal documents private and consult counsel about firearm status and court restrictions; every record is not required before asking for help.
Sources
Official weapons law & release resources
Primary sources. Case-specific orders.
Government sources are linked for reference only and do not endorse Set Free Bail Bonds.
Los Angeles County / 2026
Official felony bail schedule
Selected entries pp.14,23–24; firearm and injury enhancement provisions pp.27–28.
Los Angeles County / 2026
Official misdemeanor bail schedule
Selected entries pp.14,17,25; nonfinancial protocols and exceptions in the same document.
California Penal Code
PC §25400
Concealed firearm carrying; statutory circumstances and exceptions.
California Penal Code
PC §25850
Loaded firearm carrying in specified public settings.
California Penal Code
PC §29800
Specified prohibited-person firearm possession.
California Penal Code
PC §245
Assault subdivisions, including §245(a)(2).
Additional official resources
California Penal Code
PC §417
Distinct deadly-weapon and firearm brandishing subdivisions.
California Penal Code
PC §246.3
Grossly negligent discharge.
California Penal Code
PC §12022.5
Qualifying personal firearm-use enhancement.
California Penal Code
PC §12022.53
Distinct qualifying use, discharge and injury/death allegations.
California Penal Code
PC §12022.7
Qualifying great-bodily-injury allegations.
California Penal Code
PC §1270.1
Covered open-court hearing requirements.
Consumer protection
California Department of Insurance — bail bonds
Filed rates, premium and consumer safeguards.
Official custody
LASD — custody services
Verify responsible agency and current housing.
Official court
LA Superior Court — criminal division
Confirm the assigned court and current hearing record.
Get clear next steps after a weapons arrest
Freedom starts here.
Share the details you know through the existing private three-step form. Assistance starts with custody verification and the actual release order—not an assumption that every firearm allegation requires a paid bond.