CA – First handgun purchase 2003

[Airwolf]

For those of us trapped behind enemy lines in the DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of California) and sitting on the fence about buying guns because of the new BS laws, I purchased my first handgun of 2003 this morning.

The short and sweet version: No big deal.

The HSC test was simply a slightly re-worked version of the BFSC test (I missed one question out of 30). The silly card that they give for the HSC on the side with the ID# and owners info looks like some sort of receipt or appointment card to me, not like the BFSC that was clearly identifiable as an ID card. The other side of the HSC has the state seal.

I was asked if I had proof of residency. I replied that I did (in this case an SDG&E bill) but was never asked to produce it. I’m assuming that it will need to be shown at pickup of the gun. I also was not thumbprinted (also assuming I will be when I pick it up).

All the normal paperwork, no change.

Next came the safe handling demonstration. The instructor demonstrated exactly what I was expected to do, using the model of the gun that I had chosen to purchase and then made me do it.

Keeping the gun pointing in a safe direction at all times....

Load snap cap in mag
Insert mag
Rack slide
Decock
Drop mag
Rack slide-eject snap cap
Visually and by feel inspect to verify unloaded
Attach cable lock
Remove cable lock
Verify unloaded

In short, if a prospective buyer CAN’T do this then they need to seek training ASAP or find another interest other than firearms.

That was it. There is an affidavit filled out to prove the demo was done satisfactorily.

I paid, got my receipt and now have to cool my heels for 10 days.

Oh, and my first purchase of 2003? A Springfield Ultra-Compact 1911-A1, parkerized with night sights for $560.00.

So take note, you so-called "servants of the people" in Sacramento. Your attempts to deter law-abiding citizens from exercising their Constitutional rights have met with one more failure.

So there!

 

[Destructo6]

Give us an update when you actually pick up the pistol.

Is not knowing your favorite color a disqualifier?

 

[Blackhawk]

Thanks for part 1 of this multi-part report, Airwolf!

 

[ruger357]

My first was bought yesterday. A S&W 649.

 

[10-Ring]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably have my HSC soon (once I decide on what to get).

 

[Scott13]

Actually the safety demonstration i think is a good idea especially
for people new to handguns . But the thing that turns me off is the Finger print Crapp like everyone who purchases a gun is
a criminal getting booked or something . And i also heard that
you have keep somekind of annual upadate permit fee to have a gun . I still might buy a new handgun but i would have to want it real bad . Thats the main reason i bought my last most wanted gun a 92fs before this year started . Iam afraid these laws will get worse and worse . I even heard certain senators saying
semi auto's should be limited to 5 round magazines

 

[Airwolf]

The insane thing is that the thumbprint DOESN’T GO ANYWHERE. The transactions are done electronically with Sacramento. The print stays in the shop with the forms!

To me it's clear that someone tossed the idea in the pot when they were cooking up this law and never noticed the disconnect between the print being taken and then nothing being done with it. I'm sure that SOMEBODY had the idea in the beginning of actually keeping them on file and then the idea got dropped for one reason or another. The other thought is that it could be used to intimidate buyers out of purchasing after December. Based on the discussions at TFL, it had that effect on some people (including me at the beginning).

As for the permit renewal, no. Based on other threads the original idea of the HSC was that if wasn't renewed that would be grounds for confiscation. That heinous idea never made it into law (but you can bet some idiot "lawmaker" is trying to find a way to do it).

Show the morons in Sacramento that we won't submit to their BS. Buy until it hurts.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Life in Sunny PRK.

 

[Airwolf]

Life in Sunny PRK.

Sunshine is very overrated.

 

[Gewehr98]

They oughta market some in the PRK...

With names like the "Feinstein Special", "Boxer Compact Model", "The Lockyer Model", and so forth. Probably would never make the safety test, no matter how good they were built.

 

[SIGarmed]

I don't think any of it is a good Idea. A novice can pass this dumb test so what's the point? The point of the law was that originally it was a license that was going to require that we get tested by our local law enforcement. It was watered down and was changed to a "certificate" because the leftists were taking heat from us.

I pick up a Browing Hi Power MKIII in 9mm on or after January 14th. I took the HSC test and recieved my HSC. I was informed that I'll have to do the safety check when I pick it up. The thumb print goes on the DROS and gets filed away at the dealer. I'm sure if there is a local law enforcement problem that agents of whatever agency will be looking through everyones DROS ala the D.C. so called "sniper" case.

The part I especially don't like about the new law is showing that you can install the lock. Its a slap in the face and they are getting away with it. You can also bet that the same liberal fascists will try and alter the HSC again. The BSFC was for life remember? Someone ought to file a class action suit to get their money back with interest. The state is showing its ugly socialist head with these laws. I'll keep on buying as long as I can.

 

[joe4702]

Same experience as Airwolf, except I haven't done the "gun handling" test or whatever they're calling it. The FFL didn't say, but I'm assuming it will be done when I go pick up gun this Thursday. Didn't ask to see my proof of residence, either.

 

[Pilgrim]

I suspect the point of the thumbprint is to absolutely identify the person who filled out the Form 4473 in case there are any questions further down the road. It would defeat the defense, "It wasn't me. Someone must have stolen my ID and bought the gun."

The problem with thumbprints is no one has explained to the dealers how to get a good thumbprint. I had to teach my neighbor FFL how to get a good thumbprint after I watched him take one of the purchaser's thumb tip. The points of comparison are found in the center of the thumb where the loop, circle, or whorl is located.

 

[Airwolf]

CA - First handgun purchase 2003 (UPDATED)

Well, the 10 day "cooling off" finally came and went and I got the Springfield yesterday.

As expected they needed proof of residency at the time of pickup. My SDG&E bill did the trick for that. As for the thumbprint? That was a complete joke.

They had me do it myself on the plain back of one of the forms. Apparently the state doesn't even provide a dedicated form or place on an existing one.

The clerk simply put the paper on the counter, pointed to an ink pad and a place on the paper and said "put your thumbprint there." No assistance, no hint as to how to do it. I've been fingerprinted several times for background checks so I tried to do it correctly but it's tough to do it without assistance. The chances that I left a print that could provide a legal match is somewhere between slim and none.

In short, the fingerprint requirement is state mandated intimidation intended to keep citizens from exercising their rights and for the politicians to say they’re “doing something about gun violenceâ€. The odds that the print could or will be used for anything are near zero.

As for the Springfield Ultra-Compact. Sweet! After cleaning I spent the evening working the safety to smooth it out and dry firing. Trigger is excellent. Just a tiny bit of take up and then a clean break. The Novak night sights are nice. Not nearly as bright as my Meprolights I have on my P99 but clear and distinct nonetheless.

One small disappointment was the manuals caution about not using +P in a barrels less than 5 inches. My standard defense load is Federal EFMJ which is +P. Anyone have any experience with using +P or +P+ in short barrels? Is Springfield just doing a CYA or is there a real problem/danger in using higher pressure rounds in a short barrel gun?

Can't wait to get to the range this upcoming weekend to shoot.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Thank you Airwolf for your brave venture into CA of 2003.

 

[10-Ring]

Congrats! Also thanks for 1st hand report on new process. As for

:

Sunshine is very overrated.

Honestly, I've lived in cold & I've lived in warm, I'll take warm!

 

[Destructo6]

Here's another sick bit to add to this.

I had to do the thumbprint nonsense, too.

I picked up my new Yugo 59/66 SKS over the weekend and was shocked when the clerk asked for a thumbprint. I didn't think the thumbprint was required for long guns.

 

[jayhway]

I think thumbprint is required for all firearms purchases.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Whats next a Blood test. :banghead:

 

[10-Ring]

Yup, we'll be needing some form of DNA sample & possibly a note from mommy :banghead:

 

[blades67]

We have it tough in Arizona too. When I want to buy a gun I have fill out a 4473, show a CCW card, pay for the gun and then carry it out to my car. And sometimes it's really hot during the summer and the steering wheel gets too hot so I have to take the gun out of the box and give it another once over while the A/C cools off the car.

 

[QuickDraw]

Question fo Airwolf,
When I did the thumb print,it was the same as you, paper put in front of me,"put your thumb print around here".The funny thing was it didn't leave a print!I asked the guy"whats this,invisible ink?"He said it was special ink to digitally
scan the print.
Didn't make sense to me,but I didn't say anything.
I thought maybe they sent the print to Sac. electronically.
I guess its just abunch of smoke and mirrors

Keep shootin'

QuickDraw

 

[Destructo6]

Funny you should mention the invisible ink thing. The same thing happened to me when I put my thumbprint on the back of the form, then the guy said, "do it again, with more ink", so I did, right over the first one. Hope that screws something up on their end.

 

[Kevlarman]

Just took my HSC test today. Finished in under 2 minutes and got 100% I find it funny that the guy who was sitting there for over 15 minutes missed more than I did.

I saw a use Beretta 950, so I bought it. Since it was a consignment gun, I'm supposed to wait a month before I get it. What's the deal with that?

 

[Airwolf]

Sorry, didn't see the thread active again.

In my case there was a visible thumbprint, but just barely. Very light on the ink, but you could see it.

The whole thing is a complete joke. There's no way that those prints could be used or hold up in court.

Just trying to cower the sheeple into submission, that's all they are good for.