Buying handguns outside of California...

[Mr.V.]

So I have a question. I've always been under the assumption that if you live in California, you have to buy a California legal handgun (e.g. one where the firearms manufacturer pays the Cal Extortion Tax, and does not meet any criteria in the "unsafe handgun" definition, to keep it kosher). However, reading this about imported handguns...

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/ab991.php

they don't mention anything about the handgun being required to be "safe" under California's definition. Obviously you may not import > 10 round magazines, but say things like a handguns without charged chamber indicators, magazine disconnect safeties, drop safeties, etc etc.

Can a handgun be purchased in, say, Nevada or Arizona, and then imported in and registered within the 60 day period even if it does not meet the safe handgun criteria?

 

[deadin]

I would guess that seeing as how you have to "bring" the handgun in through a CA FFL, he would not be able to turn it over to you without breaking some California law.

 

[Librarian]

Common question.

The 'imported handguns' at the link you provide already belong to an individual not a California resident (and who is therefore free to buy pretty much whatever his wallet can handle), and that individual then moves to California.

Any non-'assault weapon' may be imported by people who move here, and thereafter sold via Private Party Transfer - 2 individuals meet at an FFL, do paperwork, FFL holds handgun for 10 day wait while background check is run. In those sales, the handgun never is in the FFL's inventory; if the buyer fails the background check, the handgun goes back to the private seller. PPT handguns do not have to be on the Roster.

PPT in California is only for two California residents; NV-CA or whatever does not work.

EXCEPT FOR C&R, a California resident cannot buy an out of state handgun. The handgun would have to be shipped to a California FFL, entered in his inventory, and sold to the California resident exactly as if the dealer had ordered the handgun from his normal distributors/wholesalers.

California dealers are not allowed to sell handguns out of their inventory unless those handguns are either on the Roster or C&R.

Take the hint: California does not want us to have easy access to handguns. If it seems reasonable to do, California prohibits it. It has nothing to do with safety or crime prevention.

 

[Quiet]

Can a handgun be purchased in, say, Nevada or Arizona, and then imported in and registered within the 60 day period even if it does not meet the safe handgun criteria?

NO.

Residents of other states moving to CA, in order to be a resident of CA, can legally bring non-listed handguns with them. They then have 60 days to register any handgun(s) they bring with them with CA DOJ. During or after this time period they can sell their handgun(s) to residents of CA via a PPT through a FFL dealer.

 

[Valkman]

Once you show your ID to a gun dealer in NV they will just laugh and wish you a nice day.

 

[glockman19]

Quiet is correct,

NO.
Residents of other states moving to CA, in order to be a resident of CA, can legally bring non-listed handguns with them. They then have 60 days to register any handgun(s) they bring with them with CA DOJ. During or after this time period they can sell their handgun(s) to residents of CA via a PPT through a FFL dealer.

Police officers are exempt from this regulation. If you know a cop and he's willing to buy a gun for you he could legally transfer it to you after he gets it.

 

[Mr.V.]

Thanks for the replies... I suspected I knew the answer before I even asked the question... But at least now I know the details...

California is pretty bad about these things, so it boggles the mind that some states are even worse.

 

[EOD Guy]

Police officers are exempt from this regulation. If you know a cop and he's willing to buy a gun for you he could legally transfer it to you after he gets it.

Police officers are only exempt if buying the off list handgun for official use and they must have a letter from their department authorizing the purchase. They are not exempt when purchasing personal handguns.

 

[Quiet]

[quote="EOD Guy]Police officers are only exempt if buying the off list handgun for official use and they must have a letter from their department authorizing the purchase. They are not exempt when purchasing personal handguns.[/quote]

Not anymore. CA DOJ changed the rules for LEO earlier this year.
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/exemptpo.php?PHPSESSID=2f9efceb38afa729c7f59e9119f139a8

LEO can buy non-approved handguns and hi-cap magzines by just showing their LEO IDs now. No department letterhead is needed.
However, a department letterhead is required if the LEO wants to bypass the 10-day waiting period when purchasing a handgun.

So, yes. Technically a LEO can buy a non-approved handgun, wait 10 days, then PPT to a civilian. But, the LEO may get in trouble with his department for doing so (IAD investigation).

 

[tulsamal]

How long does it take to establish residence? It sometimes seems like it would be a financial windfall for me to move to CA for six months. Well, me and my S&W revolver collection!

Then move back and buy new ones! (No, not "new" ones. "New to me." That will be the day that I replace all my grand old revolvers with the new ones they make today!)

Maybe the good news is that the C&R date keeps moving up. 1957 is late enough to start moving into my collection. From about there to 1970 are the ones I have the most of. So I guess you CA S&W collectors will just have to wait for C&R status before picking up some of my guns!

Gregg

 

[oneshooter]

In Texas it's easy. Go to your friendly gun dealer, choose what your little heart desires, fill out the proper forms,show your CCL, pay, and leave with your new toy!

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas