Is Russian Roulette Illegal in California?

Russian Roulette is not currently illegal in the state of California. While the act of playing Russian Roulette is not specifically named as a crime in the California Penal Code, there are a number of statutes that could potentially be used to prosecute someone for playing the game. For example, section 12020 of the Penal Code makes it a crime to possess a firearm “for the purpose of engaging in an act of unlawful violence or threatening violence.” If someone were to point a gun at another person’s head and pull the trigger while playing Russian Roulette, that could be considered “threatening violence” and would be prosecutable under this statute.

Additionally, section 417 of the Penal Code prohibits “drawing or exhibiting any deadly weapon whatsoever, other than a firearm, in a rude, angry, or threatening manner.” Again, if someone were to brandish a gun while playing Russian Roulette, that could be considered a violation of this statute.

While there are no specific lAWS against playing Russian Roulette in California, it is certainly not advisable to do so. The game is extremely dangerous and has resulted in many deaths over the years.

If someone were to play Russian Roulette and accidentally kill another person, they could be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter or even second-degree murder. So while Russian Roulette is not currently illegal in California, it is still a very risky activity that could result in serious criminal charges.