I’m sure you’ve heard this story before, but my mom recently inherited a gun from her grandfather and we’re unsure about how to legally register it. It’s a Nazi Youth Rifle, so it was brought back as a souvenir and was never registered. What’s the best course of action? (This is in California, if that changes anything.)
Under CA laws/regulations...
Before 2014, there was no requirement to register non-prohibited firearms with CA DOJ.
If she received the rifle before 01-01-2014, then legally nothing needs to be done about this, due to the transfer complying with all CA laws at that time.
If she received the rifle after 12-31-2013, then legally within 30 days of receiving the firearm, she must report it to CA DOJ.
Currently, as long as it is reported, there is no penalty for reporting after the 30 day window. The statue of limitations for not reporting is 3 years from the time of the transfer.
If she wants it registered to her and...
... if it is between 0-3 years from the time of the transfer, then she needs a valid FSC or exemption to the FSC and she should submit a completed Report of Intra-Familial Firearm Transaction.
... if it is 3+ years from the time of the transfer, then she needs a valid FSC or exemption to the FSC and she should submit a completed Firearm Ownership Report.
If she wants to give it to you and you are both CA residents, then legally...
1. You need a valid FSC or exemption to the FSC.
2. She hands you the firearm.
3. Within 30 days of receiving the firearm, you submit a completed Report of Intra-Familial Firearm Transaction to CA DOJ.
Historically in CA...
08-07-1924 = CA Dealer Record Of Sale (DROS) of handguns is registered with CA DOJ.
01-01-1991 = All firearm transfers must be done through a CA FFL dealer.
01-01-1992 = Operations of law & intra-familial transfers of firearms are exempt from the CA FFL dealer requirement, but the transfer of handguns must be reported.
01-01-1997 = CA DROS submissions must be done electronically.
01-01-1997 = CA C&R FFLs must report C&R handguns acquired while out-of-state and brought into CA.
01-01-1998 = New residents of CA must report all handguns they bring to CA.
01-01-2014 = CA DROS of long guns registers it with CA DOJ.
01-01-2014 = Operation of law & intra-familial transfers of all firearms must be reported.
01-01-2014 = CA C&R FFL must report all C&R firearms acquired while out-of-state and brought into CA.
01-01-2014 = New residents of CA must report all firearms they bring to CA.