The three shot,and plug law is a federal law. Yes while hunting any game animal in calif. one must have his plug in his gun. Only when hunting a none game animal like a coyote, or trap shooting can one have his plug out of the gun. Note the plug in your gun also has to be a factory installed plug, no longer just a wooden dowell,or tree branch ect. The fine is $1000 at last i heard. vangunsmith