California and Handguns

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Look up your local laws. The website "handgunlaw.us" might be a good start. Also, call or walk into your local gun store and they can tell you how it works. I assume as a Serviceman you may get some leaway on firearms. California IS a beautiful state; but it is ruined by their crazy laws over there unfortunately.

Btw, thank you for your service and enjoy your time in CA.

First you have to ensure that the firearm is legal in California. If it comes with a mag that has more than 10 rds forget it. ( have to get it from a gunshop in California or order it though them as a ca legal version. Then there is the 10 day waiting piriod. Better to pick it up on leave wile at home. As an active duty member the only thing you are exempt from it the hand gun safety test. There is a provision in the AWB for military but the paper work must be filed prior to the firearm entering the state.

Beware that we (the oppressed) also have to deal with the "approved roster" of exactly which (new) handguns can be sold here, per Ca. DOJ. As others have pointed out, check with a reputable LGS first, to avoid any issues.

Welcome to gun-owner hell! Seriously though there are a lot of good people who share our interests. A good place to go is Calguns.net. You will find all the information you need and more. Personally, I don't know the answer to your specific question...but someone on that site will for sure.

That said, for the record there are ways for California state citizens to legally purchase off-roster firearms, such as buying them from those who originally bought them out of state and then moved here (and registered said guns), and from cops and or people who bought them from cops. Another way is through the single-shot exemption. There is a huge thread about it on Calguns.

Calguns net for sure. But prepare to be disappointed because you will find out that California is more like Russia than the rest of the nation. It's a joke.

That said, for the record there are ways for California state citizens to legally purchase off-roster firearms

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and some FFL won't do this or charge you $200.

giggitygiggity said:

Hi, I'm a resident of a free state, but I am stationed in CA. I buy a lot of guns online and have them shipped to a FFL. It usually saves me a few bucks doing it that way.

I'm active duty military and living in CA, but I am still officially a resident of my home state. Anyways, I am confused over whether I have to pay the $19 handgun registration fee. I am seeing conflicting word on this. My understanding is that military personnel are exempt unless they are CA residents.

Also, what is the procedure for having a handgun shipped to an FFL in CA? In my home state, I simply went to my FFL and picked it up when it came in. Are there waiting periods or any other kinds of hoops to jump through? CA is a beautiful state. Sadly the state great weather is not complimented by great ideas on gun ownership.

In any case, thanks in advance for your advice.

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I am assuming this is included in the paperwork when buying handguns through an FFL? I have lived here all my life, and own many handguns, but have never seen a $19 fee. Just the $25-40 charged for the transfer.

Interesting point, as long as the FLL is on the federal land
and you don't take the guns off the federal land

would the cali law matter?

Interesting point, as long as the FLL is on the federal land
and you don't take the guns off the federal land

would the cali law matter?

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Yes. It is a condition of the license that the licensee comply with all state and local laws.

Right EOD, the installation is PURELY federal, that's my point, KOMMIE laws stop a few miles before the front gate.

Victor1Echo said:

Calguns net for sure. But prepare to be disappointed because you will find out that California is more like Russia than the rest of the nation. It's a joke.

and some FFL won't do this or charge you $200.

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Not even close. But California bashing doesn't offer answers to the OP's questions, authoritative resources do (as has been mentioned and linked to).

Dan

Right EOD, the installation is PURELY federal, that's my point, KOMMIE laws stop a few miles before the front gate.

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Not the laws governing FFLs. An FFL on a California military installation must also have the CA license, be on its register, follow California Penal Code.

That being so, expect the CA 10-day wait, and the 1-handgun-in-30 days.

I believe the $19 the OP refers to is the fee a new resident must pay to register each handgun s/he imports into the state. That doesn't apply to active duty military; it would apply if a service member separates and becomes a resident of CA.

Deleted: cited Instructors section. See Correction Below!

Got a bang head unsmiley?

If you mean the HSC, then being in the military or honorably retired does indeed grant an exemption.

a BSC card

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Ah, I remember my BFSC (Basic Firearms Safety Certificate)! Good for life, exempt from it if you had served honorably in the military - discharge papers were sufficient.

The HSC replaced the BFSC in 2003. See the wiki article, http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/The_Handgun_Safety_Certificate

If you mean the HSC, then being in the military or honorably retired does indeed grant an exemption.

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The B in BSC was a fat finger.

Simply being in the military is not an exemption to CPC 31615 (HSC) and other applicable requirements

31615. (a) No person shall do either of the following:
(1) Purchase or receive any handgun, except an antique firearm,
without a valid handgun safety certificate.

The exemptions are found in CPC 31700 for military or retiree it is CPC 31700 (10)
31700. (a) The following persons, properly identified, are exempted
from the handgun safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a)
of Section 31615:

(10) An active, or honorably retired member of the United States
Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Air National Guard, the active
reserve components of the United States, where individuals in those
organizations are properly identified. For purposes of this section,
proper identification includes the Armed Forces Identification Card,
or other written documentation certifying that the individual is an
active or honorably retired member.

According to the interpretation of our A.G. you need to meet two tests one is being in the military, the other is in the California Residency requirement found elsewhere.

As part of the DROS process, the buyer must present "clear evidence of identity and age" which is defined as a valid, non-expired California Driver's License or Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. A military identification accompanied by permanent duty station orders indicating a posting in California is also acceptable.

http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs#3

So the Military ID will get you past the HSC card requirement, the Orders gets you past the proof of residency requirements.