sending a handgun to California

[Isaac's Grandpa]

I don't know if this is the right place, but anyway. I have a son in California that would like me to ship his Ruger Blackhawk out to him. It is one from a collection I bought from a friend who was dying from ALS. What do I need to do to get this accomplished?

My son got out of the Navy an E6 and had top secret clearance so getting the background check shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for any help.
Dale

 

[9mmepiphany]

First he'll need to have a Handgun Safety Card.

Then he'll have to find an FFL that understands Intrafamilial Handgun Transfers and would be willing to accept shipping from a non-FFL (you)
http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/index.php/Transferring_Firearms_Among_Some_Family_Members

You ship the gun, he pays the transfer, and DROS, fee to the FFL and starts his 10 day wait

 

[Isaac's Grandpa]

Thanks for the information. I will pass it on to him. It would be easier if he would move back to Minnesota.

 

[erik_brewer]

As I understand Ca law (I'm not a lawyer, just a Ca resident), you need to have a special permit/license to ship to an FFL in Ca. I think it's more about $ for the state than anything else...

The other thing, I don't think you need an FFL for a father -> son (or gfather -> gson) transfer. You probably need one to ship it. I think you can just hand it to him the next time he visits and make sure he has a airline approved case to fly it back to Ca.

 

[Quiet]

As I understand Ca law (I'm not a lawyer, just a Ca resident), you need to have a special permit/license to ship to an FFL in Ca. I think it's more about $ for the state than anything else...

Incorrect.

A non-FFL from another state does not need any special permit/license to ship a firearm to a CA FFL dealer.
Only thing that person needs to do when shipping a firearm is verify the FFL dealer's info with BATFE to see if it's good.

A FFL dealer from another state has to register for free with the CA DOJ BOF and request a Firearms Shipment Approval letter, prior to shipping a firearm to a CA FFL dealer.

The other thing, I don't think you need an FFL for a father -> son (or gfather -> gson) transfer. You probably need one to ship it. I think you can just hand it to him the next time he visits and make sure he has a airline approved case to fly it back to Ca.

Incorrect.

Since both parties are residents of different states, FEDERAL LAWS require the transfer be done through a FFL dealer in the recipiant's state of residence. There is no intra-familial gift exemption to the Federal laws.

 

[lizziedog1]

As I understand Ca law (I'm not a lawyer, just a Ca resident), you need to have a special permit/license to ship to an FFL in Ca. I think it's more about $ for the state than anything else...

I don't think anyone understands California gun laws. Anyone that does should try out for Jeopardy!

 

[Iron Sight]

You can ship a handgun to a federally licensed dealer in CA.
(Federal Express) Call the dealer 1st to make sure he understands.
The gun must be on the CA list of approved handguns.
After the dealer gets the firearm he can begin the transfer procedure.


If you have questions regarding CA gun laws I highly advise using the link below to contact/phone call the CA Bureau of firearms. I have done it several times. You might be surprised how simply your questions can be answered.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/

 

[earlthegoat2]

Ive never had a problem shipping to California as long as the gun in question meets their state laws. A Ruger Blackhawk will most assuredly meet them.

Call the FFL you are shipping it to and they should be able to walk you through the process. It is possible you may have to ship it from another FFL (this is the only way I have done it) Then the FFL who sends it out can get a shipping authorization from the Cali Dept of Justice which is what the receiving FFL will need to transfer it.

Might be different with the familial situation though.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You can ship a handgun to a federally licensed dealer in CA.
(Federal Express) Call the dealer 1st to make sure he understands.
The gun must be on the CA list of approved handguns.
After the dealer gets the firearm he can begin the transfer procedure.

The handgun need not be on the Ca List in an intrafamilial transfer...link is in Post #2

Also SAA/cowboy type handguns are exempt from the List if they meet certain dimensions...as are Olympic style match pistols