California Code, Penal Code - PEN § 26859

(a) Open the loading gate.

(b) Visually and physically inspect each chamber, to ensure that the revolver is unloaded.

(c) Remove the firearm safety device required to be sold with the handgun.  If the firearm safety device prevents any of the previous steps, remove the firearm safety device during the appropriate step.

(d) Load one bright orange, red, or other readily identifiable dummy round into a chamber of the cylinder, close the loading gate and rotate the cylinder so that the round is in the next-to-fire position.  If no readily identifiable dummy round is available, an empty cartridge casing with an empty primer pocket may be used.

(e) Open the loading gate and unload the revolver.

(f) Visually and physically inspect each chamber to ensure that the revolver is unloaded.

(g) Apply the firearm safety device, if applicable.  This requirement shall not apply to an Olympic competition pistol if no firearm safety device, other than a cable lock that the department has determined would damage the barrel of the pistol, has been approved for the pistol, and the pistol is either listed in subdivision (b) of Section 32105 or is subject to subdivision (c) of Section 32105.