I am wondering if someone could give me a "nutshell" explanation as to CA requirements for handguns? I will be spending some time in CA, I have become a resident, driver license, registered to vote, did vote, so I am a resident. however I have not retrieved my pistols or rifles as I am concerned about ownership, it is my understanding that I must register my guns with the local authorities, is this so? I am not looking for any free legal advise, just ideas as to what I should do. what are the requirements to sell or purchase handguns? any & all information will be appreciated, I do know CA is not what one would call a "Gun friendly state" I would also like to know which organizations I could join to oppose these laws, Thanks again
Calif. gun laws
- Thread starter msnden
- Start date
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mgkdrgn
Member
Where are your firearms currently located? If they are in CA there is no change in registration status required. If you will be 'importing' them into CA then you need to read the flowcharts listed at the top of the Calguns website.
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/hgflowchart.pdf
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/sgflowchart.pdf
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/hgflowchart.pdf
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/sgflowchart.pdf
danez71
Member
Waaaay too many details to write in one post... but...
Your handguns do not have to be on the safe gun roster but they cant be considered assault weapons either. The roster if for FFL new gun sales.
No suppressors.
No threaded barrels.
No mags 11 rounds or more.
Yes, pistols and rifles have to be registered when you bring them in (within 60 days). On the form you state when you brought them in. If state you brought them in 61 days ago, the law is written in a way that they done prosecute. The cost isn't much... its the principle that stinks.
All sales have to go through a FFL... even private party sales. Uhhhh pistols for sure and I think rifles too now.
If your semi auto rifles have pistol grips and detachable mags, you need a bullet button.
All of the above is over simplified but generally covers what mort people are looking for initially.
Best advice is make a few pots of coffee and start reading or hire a lawyer. Its not as difficult as NY and some others but CA laws are so tangled and many just don't make sense to have that its mind boggling.
Your handguns do not have to be on the safe gun roster but they cant be considered assault weapons either. The roster if for FFL new gun sales.
No suppressors.
No threaded barrels.
No mags 11 rounds or more.
Yes, pistols and rifles have to be registered when you bring them in (within 60 days). On the form you state when you brought them in. If state you brought them in 61 days ago, the law is written in a way that they done prosecute. The cost isn't much... its the principle that stinks.
All sales have to go through a FFL... even private party sales. Uhhhh pistols for sure and I think rifles too now.
If your semi auto rifles have pistol grips and detachable mags, you need a bullet button.
All of the above is over simplified but generally covers what mort people are looking for initially.
Best advice is make a few pots of coffee and start reading or hire a lawyer. Its not as difficult as NY and some others but CA laws are so tangled and many just don't make sense to have that its mind boggling.
Thanks to all!! Danez71 Thanks, I will make sure all arrive in that time frame, I will get the paper work done, I don't think many of my guns will come to CA . I don't want the hassle, or worse lose some. Thanks again, ibwould also like to get a permit to carry, which I know is not going to happen, & I have too much to lose breaking the law, CA is tough on guns, I hope i am not here to long, AGreat state, beautiful! ! But its leaders are (you know) up..Thanks again
Librarian
Member
See also http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Moving_to_California_with_firearms, especially section 1.
IOwnTheWorld1994
member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2014
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- 51
Must be a minimum age of 21 to by a pistol from any FFL in the state. Must take and pass an HSC which runs up to $30 along with a safe handling test of a firearm. Only one purchase every 30 days of a handgun. PPT is exempt from this and it must be on the Handgun Roster, also, PPT is exempt from this list for the time being. Did I miss anything?
UPDATE::
Again, Thanks to all, I filled out the form:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BUREAU OF FIREARMS
New Resident Report of Firearm Ownership
California Penal Code section 27560
I registered 2 revolvers & 1 pistol for $19.00, However I did not see on the form any question as to when I brought the guns into CA, Hope I did the right thing. Thanks again
Again, Thanks to all, I filled out the form:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BUREAU OF FIREARMS
New Resident Report of Firearm Ownership
California Penal Code section 27560
I registered 2 revolvers & 1 pistol for $19.00, However I did not see on the form any question as to when I brought the guns into CA, Hope I did the right thing. Thanks again
danez71
Member
I just checked into it. They changed the form in 2014.
I happen to have a pdf of the old form saved on my hard drive and then looked up the form that's now on the .gov site and youre right, you don't have to write the date you brought them in.
It used to be that even if you were past the 60 days, it was written that they wouldn't prosecute as long as they way they found out was by you indicating the dates on the form. If they found out because they ran your #'s for some reason other than the form, you were busted.
This is the current form for anyone that may need it.
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/ab991frm.pdf?
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