2009 California Penal Code - Section 12200-12201 :: Article 1. General Provisions

12200.  The term "machinegun" as used in this chapter means any
weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can readily be restored
to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual
reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also
include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed
and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed
and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and
any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if
such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.
The term also includes any weapon deemed by the federal Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms as readily convertible to a machinegun
under Chapter 53 (commencing with Section 5801) of Title 26 of the
United States Code.

12201.  Nothing in this chapter shall affect or apply to any of the
following:
   (a) The sale to, purchase by, or possession of machineguns by
police departments, sheriffs' offices, marshals' offices, district
attorneys' offices, the California Highway Patrol, the Department of
Justice, the Department of Corrections for use by the department's
Special Emergency Response Teams and Law Enforcement
Liaison/Investigations Unit, or the military or naval forces of this
state or of the United States for use in the discharge of their
official duties, provided, however, that any sale to these entities
be transacted by a person who is permitted pursuant to Section 12230
and licensed pursuant to Section 12250.
   (b) The possession of machineguns by regular, salaried, full-time
peace officer members of a police department, sheriff's office,
marshal's office, district attorney's office, the California Highway
Patrol, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Corrections
for use by the department's Special Emergency Response Teams and Law
Enforcement Liaison/Investigations Unit when on duty and if the use
is within the scope of their duties.