shipping a firearm

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JoeSF

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Thanks to everyone for the responses.

Joe
 
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From the ATF:

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b1

B9) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity? [Back]

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.
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They have a list of acceptable firearms.

If your firearm isn't on the list, it's not legal.
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It's not quite that simple. If a HANDGUN is not on the list, it is not legal for a DEALER to SELL. It is still quite legal to own, even if it is not on the list.

Frpm the certified handguns list:

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/

"Effective January 1, 2001, no handgun may be manufactured within California, imported into California for sale, lent, given, kept for sale, or offered/exposed for sale unless that handgun model has passed firing, safety, and drop tests and is certified for sale in California by the Department of Justice. Private party transfers, curio/relic handguns, certain single-action revolvers, and pawn/consignment returns are exempt from this requirement."

Please note the emphasis on sales, not possession and the private party sale exemption.

When moving into California, you wlill be required to register your HANDGUNS:

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.php#24

"I am moving into California and I own several handguns. What are the new-resident registration requirements?

You are considered to be a personal handgun importer as defined by California law. You may bring all of your otherwise California-legal firearms with you, but you must report all of your handguns to the DOJ within 60 days as required utilizing the New Resident Handgun Ownership Report. [PDF 518 kb / 2 pg] You are not required to report rifles or shotguns. You may not bring ammunition feeding devices with a capacity greater than ten rounds, machineguns, or assault weapons into California.

(PC sections 12001(n), 12072(f)(2))

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, I am especially not your lawyer, take all legal advice on the internet with a grain of salt, including mine. Contact the ATF / your state DOJ directly and get their advice in writing. Then follow it.
 
natman said:
It's not quite that simple. If a HANDGUN is not on the list, it is not legal for a DEALER to SELL. It is still quite legal to own, even if it is not on the list.
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Does this include transfers in from out of state ( no sale involved )?
 
How can I have it shipped to myself in California?
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According to Federal Law, you cannot HAVE it shipped to yourself. You, yourself, would have to be the shipper, nobody else could ship it to you from outside the state (unless it was a gun being returned to you from repair by a licensed manufacturer, gunsmith, FFL). The Federal law only allows YOU to ship a gun to yourself in another state (in care of another person on the RECEIVING end, not on the sending end).

I believe, and I might be wrong on this, if the gun is not on California's "safe" list, then your gun could not be shipped to an FFL to be transferred to you, because the FFL would not be able to do the transfer on a gun not on the "safe" list.

SO, that leaves you one option to comply with Federal and California law (assuming I am correct in paragraph #2 above), go and get your gun and bring it yourself to California and then fill out California's registration form and pay your $19.
 
shipping a firearm
I own a 32 browning pistol which I have kept in New Mexcio for many years. I purchased it from from a gun store which is no longer in businnes. It was a German Officers WW2 side arm and while it still fires it is pretty worn out. I want it for its historical value. How can I have it shipped to myself in California?
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NavyLT,that was the OP's full first post above.
From that I made the assumption that Joe was in New Mexico and wanted to ship the gun back home to his California residence.Therefore I referenced ATF rule B9.Making assumptions can backfire.
But Joe never has responded with any correction on that assumption.
If he indeed is in CA and the gun is in some other hands in NM you are quite correct in your paragraph #1.
You are almost certainly correct in paragraph 2,leaving Joe with #3 as his remaining option.
Joe,are you out there to clarify your whereabouts?:)
 
I appreciate all the responses. Thanks to everyone.
 
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