The CA DOJ approved list for handgun sales does not apply to people moving to CA.
You can legally bring any handgun, that is not considered a prohibited firearm (assault weapon, SBR, SBS, MG), with you to CA. [PC 12001(n)]
Within 60 days of establishing residency in CA, you will need to register all the handguns you brought with you. [PC 12072(f)(2)(A)]
This is done by sending in a
New Resident Handgun Ownership Report with $19 per handgun to CA DOJ BOF. Within 2-40 weeks, CA DOJ BOF will mail you back confirmation of the report.
You can no import any large capacity (11+ round) magazines into CA. [PC 12020(a)(2)]
So, acquire 10 round magazines for use in CA.
You can also legally dissassemble any large capacity magazines you own into parts and import those parts into CA, where you can use the parts to make permanent 10 round magazines or keep them as parts & never assemble them while in CA.
Legal method of transporting a handgun in CA, equates to unloaded and in a locked container. Ammo can be in the same locked container but can not be in the firearm's magazine well/cylinder/chamber/fixed magazine.
The only CA state laws that apply to reloading is that you can not possess more than 5 pounds of blackpowder and/or 20 pounds of smokeless gunpower at a time. [H&S 12102]
Ability to get a CA CCW permit is dependent upon which county in CA you move to.
Due to CA's "may issue" CCW permit system, getting a CA CCW permit depends on where you live. Some counties have a "shall issue" type policy and some counties have a "no issue" type policy.
Also, I strongly recommend you join the forums at
calguns.net, in order to learn about CA gun laws and what you can do to make them better.
Penal Code 12001
(n) As used in this chapter, a "personal handgun importer" means an individual who meets all of the following criteria:
(1) He or she is not a person licensed pursuant to Section 12071.
(2) He or she is not a licensed manufacturer of firearms pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code.
(3) He or she is not a licensed importer of firearms pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(4) He or she is the owner of a handgun.
(5) He or she acquired that handgun outside of California.
(6) He or she moves into this state on or after January 1, 1998, as a resident of this state.
(7) He or she intends to possess that handgun within this state on or after January 1, 1998.
(8) The handgun was not delivered to him or her by a person licensed pursuant to Section 12071 who delivered that firearm following the procedures set forth in Section 12071 and subdivision (c) of Section 12072.
(9) He or she, while a resident of this state, had not previously reported his or her ownership of that handgun to the Department of Justice in a manner prescribed by the department that included information concerning him or her and a description of the firearm.
(10) The handgun is not a firearm that is prohibited by subdivision (a) of Section 12020.
(11) The handgun is not an assault weapon, as defined in Section 12276 or 12276.1.
(12) The handgun is not a machinegun, as defined in Section 12200.
(13) The person is 18 years of age or older.
Penal Code 12072
(f)(2)(A) On or after January 1, 1998, within 60 days of bringing a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person into this state, a personal handgun importer shall do one of the following:
(i) Forward by prepaid mail or deliver in person to the Department of Justice, a report prescribed by the department including information concerning that individual and a description of the firearm in question.
(ii) Sell or transfer the firearm in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (d) or in accordance with the provisions of an exemption from subdivision (d).
(iii) Sell or transfer the firearm to a dealer licensed pursuant to Section 12071.
(iv) Sell or transfer the firearm to a sheriff or police department.
Penal Code 12020
(a) Any person in this state who does any of the following is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison:
(2) Commencing January 1, 2000, manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, or lends, any large-capacity magazine.
(c)(25) As used in this section, "large-capacity magazine" means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, but shall not be construed to include any of the following:
(A) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 10 rounds.
(B) A .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device.
(C) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.
