What is the mandatory minimum age for someone to lend a firearm in California?

In California, the law stipulates that an individual must be at least 21 years old to lend a firearm to someone else. This regulation is in place to promote responsible firearm management and to reduce the risks associated with firearm transactions. The age requirement reflects the state's intention to ensure that individuals who engage in lending firearms possess a level of maturity and understanding of firearm safety and responsibility.

The choice of 21 years old is consistent with other firearm-related regulations in California, which generally hold that individuals must be 21 to acquire handguns and certain types of firearms. This uniformity in the law supports the overarching goal of enhancing public safety and minimizing the potential for misuse of firearms. Lenders of firearms are expected to exercise caution and judgment, which is deemed more likely at an age when individuals typically have greater life experience and responsibility.