Hey everyone, I have a question that might best be answered by those of you in California. My wife and I are headed down to San Diego soon (death in the family) and my Brother-in-law has offered me a couple of Browning A-5 shotguns. I'd like to just put them in the car and bring them home. I'm unlikely to get stopped as I usually obey traffic laws, but if I do, is it going to be a real hassle when the police see a couple of gun cases in the back of our station wagon?
Question About Transporting Guns From California
- Thread starter Sharps Shooter
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Shouldn't be a problem if they're cased, unloaded and in the back.
Put a small lock on each case to remove all doubt. It's not supposed to be necessary, but some cops think so.
Put a small lock on each case to remove all doubt. It's not supposed to be necessary, but some cops think so.
Transport is not your problem. Transfer is.
Under federal law, interstate tranfer of a firearm (including long guns) must be delivered by an FFL. A handgun must be delivered by an FFL in the recipient's state of residence. A long gun may be delivered by an FFL in another state, so long as it is in compliance with the laws of both states.
Given that Idaho is known as a free state, and California is not, you better check Califonia law for more restrictions.
Under federal law, interstate tranfer of a firearm (including long guns) must be delivered by an FFL. A handgun must be delivered by an FFL in the recipient's state of residence. A long gun may be delivered by an FFL in another state, so long as it is in compliance with the laws of both states.
Given that Idaho is known as a free state, and California is not, you better check Califonia law for more restrictions.
Henry's got it.
You really shouldn't even possess those shotguns in CA until they've been legally transferred to you via an FFL. And as an ID resident you can't take delivery from a California FFL.
Pay your brother-in-law to pack 'em nicely and ship them to a nearby Idaho FFL of your choice, where you simply fill out a 4473 and a small fee and walk away legal. You'll avoid California costs, California paperwork and California waiting period.
But yes, it is indeed perfectly legal for California residents to ship guns (except assault weapons, which these aren't) outside of California - but only to licensed FFL dealers. [Do further note that handguns cannot be shipped by US Mail, but long guns can be.]
Bill Wiese
San Jose, CA
You really shouldn't even possess those shotguns in CA until they've been legally transferred to you via an FFL. And as an ID resident you can't take delivery from a California FFL.
Pay your brother-in-law to pack 'em nicely and ship them to a nearby Idaho FFL of your choice, where you simply fill out a 4473 and a small fee and walk away legal. You'll avoid California costs, California paperwork and California waiting period.
But yes, it is indeed perfectly legal for California residents to ship guns (except assault weapons, which these aren't) outside of California - but only to licensed FFL dealers. [Do further note that handguns cannot be shipped by US Mail, but long guns can be.]
Bill Wiese
San Jose, CA
Thanks guys. That's what I'll do. I'll help my brother-in-law pack the guns and I'll pay the shipping while we're down there. The guns will probably be waiting for me at our favorite FFL dealer's place in Pocatello when we get home. 
Well, in California, only parent/grandparent/child transfers w/o intervention of an FFL are allowed. Brother, sister, in-law, uncle, etc. do not count. May be more complex if one party in different state than CA.
Bill Wiese
San Jose CA
For the record: if the guns are anywhere inside where a passenger could gain access to them (such as the rear area in a station wagon) they MUST be in locked containers. In the trunk, lock box is optional because the trunk is considered a locked container. The glove box is not considered a locked container even if it key locks.
There is a special form for a bona fide gift from father or grandfather (and probably mother or grandmother) given to her child or grandchild.
BTW: The father/grandfather MAY go out of state and buy an "unapproved" gun and bring it into Kali for the purpose of giving it to his son/grandson as long as the proper forms are filled out. As far as I know, it's the only legal loophole to importing non approved guns into Kali.
Ummm...
Even in CA, not true for long guns (shotguns/rifles). Just gotta be unloaded. (Local CA ordinances could vary but don't know of any offhand). This only applies to handguns and assault weapons.
Yes, for handguns there's the interfamiliar transfer form available from DOJ website. This is for parent/child/ grandparent/grandchild relationships only.
All other relationships have to be dealt with like any other transfer.
No, a Californian of any type (except w/FFL) cannot buy any gun outside of CA. FFLs outside of CA will not sell to CA persons, and an intervening CA FFL is required.
Bill Wiese
San Jose
Even in CA, not true for long guns (shotguns/rifles). Just gotta be unloaded. (Local CA ordinances could vary but don't know of any offhand). This only applies to handguns and assault weapons.
Yes, for handguns there's the interfamiliar transfer form available from DOJ website. This is for parent/child/ grandparent/grandchild relationships only.
All other relationships have to be dealt with like any other transfer.
No, a Californian of any type (except w/FFL) cannot buy any gun outside of CA. FFLs outside of CA will not sell to CA persons, and an intervening CA FFL is required.
Bill Wiese
San Jose
wait...
isnt poster currently residing in ID, moving to CA?
get them transferred to you in ID, then like everyone said , case em up.
here are the travel rules, and if you click fireamrs division in upper right corner, takes you to Cali firearms home.
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/travel.htm
isnt poster currently residing in ID, moving to CA?
get them transferred to you in ID, then like everyone said , case em up.
here are the travel rules, and if you click fireamrs division in upper right corner, takes you to Cali firearms home.
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/travel.htm
Bill, a PRK resident can buy a firearm from outside the PRK (provided its not a banned longarm or so long as it's a C&R pistol or one on the approved list).
They just need to have it shipped to a PRK FFL dealer first.
If that's what you were saying, I apologize. I'm not clear on your reply.
They just need to have it shipped to a PRK FFL dealer first.
If that's what you were saying, I apologize. I'm not clear on your reply.
thorn726
Thanks for the link. I probably wasn't too clear with my posting. No, I'm not moving to California. My brother-in-law (actually my wife's brother-in-law) who lives in San Diego offered me a couple of Browning A-5s. From the sound of things, our nosy federal government wouldn't approve of me exercising my rights by bringing my great gifts back to Idaho with me when we drive down there. So, I'll help my brother-in-law pack them up and I'll pay the shipping to have them sent to a FFL dealer here in Idaho. The dealer here will handle the paperwork and transfer the guns to me when we get home.
Thanks again everyone.
Thanks for the link. I probably wasn't too clear with my posting. No, I'm not moving to California. My brother-in-law (actually my wife's brother-in-law) who lives in San Diego offered me a couple of Browning A-5s. From the sound of things, our nosy federal government wouldn't approve of me exercising my rights by bringing my great gifts back to Idaho with me when we drive down there. So, I'll help my brother-in-law pack them up and I'll pay the shipping to have them sent to a FFL dealer here in Idaho. The dealer here will handle the paperwork and transfer the guns to me when we get home.
Thanks again everyone.
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