Transfer or sale of all firearms must be processed with a California gun dealer`s license. An application for transfer must be made with the gun dealer before any firearm may be sold or transferred. This application contains a description of the buyer or transferee and of the firearm. A copy is sent by the dealer to the California Department of Justice and the local police chief or sheriff. The dealer may be charged a fee up to $14 by the Department of Justice. If the Department of Justice determines that the buyer or transferee is not eligible to possess a firearm, they shall notify the dealer immediately. There is a 10-day waiting period before delivery of any firearm. Dealers must keep a register of all firearm transfers. A person under restraining order may not acquire any firearm.
Starting October 1, 1993, no firearm capable of being concealed upon the person shall be delivered or sold unless the person receiving the firearm presents to the gun dealer a basic firearms safety certificate approved by the California Department of Justice.
No person shall make an application to purchase more than one pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person within a 30-day period and no delivery shall be made to any person who has made an application to purchase more than one pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person within any 30-day period.
A gun dealer must post a sign advising "If you leave a loaded firearm where a child obtains and improperly uses it, you may be fined or sent to prison."
The waiting period and dealer application do not apply to transfers to police officers, other gun dealers, manufacturers, or importers, antique firearms, and rifles and shotguns which are classified as curios or relics by the federal government, infrequent gifts or transfers to one`s "immediate family," an infrequent temporary loan not to exceed 30 days to a person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm, and a transfer of a rifle or shotgun at auctions by nonprofit or public benefit corporations.
It is unlawful for any person to transfer any firearm to a person who is forbidden to possess or own a firearm. A dealer may not transfer a pistol to a person under 21 or other firearm to a person under 18.
It is unlawful to purchase, receive, or attempt to purchase or receive a firearm if such person is subject to a protective order, temporary restraining order or injunction.
Within 60 days of bringing a pistol, revolver or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person into this state, the person importing the firearm must complete and return a Department of Justice registration form or sell or transfer the firearm to a licensed dealer, sheriff or police department.