Later this morning, Ruger will announce to the rest of the industry the return of their LC380 pistol to the California market. Their new LCA 380CA model isn't really a "new" pistol, it's actually the LC380 as was manufactured in 2013- the year it was approved in California-rather than the 2014 version that had some minor modifications in its manufacturing process.

According to California law, any modification in the gun or the manufacturing process required the "new" model to meet the California microstamping provision. Ruger and other gun companies have made it clear they're not playing that game and Californians have seen their options for "approved" pistols shrinking.

But Ruger's return to the unmodified 2013 version makes the pistol, once again, California compliant.

Sounds complicated, but the gist of the story (which is in our news section above) is that California firearms owners once again have Ruger's lightweight, compact LC380 pistol as an available option for purchase. And as a special "reintroduction" bonus, the pistol will ship for a limited time with a LaserMax CenterFire frame mounted red laser.

Further, this morning's announcement will also offer something new for all LC380 owners, a caliber conversion kit that will be available later this year that will allow owners of either the standard or California-compliant pistols to convert to the more powerful 9mm caliber.

Again, you can read the Ruger announcement in its entirety in today's news section, but it is more than slightly significant that one of the major gun companies has found a way to legitimately support California's retail firearms dealers.