NRA / ILA Firearms Laws for CALIFORNIA
HERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR GUN OWNERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA. FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION, VISIT THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION SITE AT: WWW.NRAILA.ORG and specific California gun ownership information.
PURCHASE
All firearms sales, transfers or loans, including private transactions and sales at gun shows, must go through a California licensed firearms dealer.
An application for sale or transfer must be made with a licensed California gun dealer before any firearm may be sold or transferred. This application contains a description of the buyer or transferee and of the firearm.
The purchaser must present the dealer with a valid California Driver’s License or a California Identification Card and supply their right thumbprint. The purchaser of a handgun must also provide additional proof of California residence, other than a document from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The dealer sends a copy of the application to the California Department of Justice and the local police chief or sheriff.
The CA DOJ will conduct a background check on each buyer and the fee is $25.00. There is a 10-day waiting period before delivery of any firearm. Dealers must keep a register of all firearm transfers. If a person has voluntarily been screened through the Personal Firearms Eligibility Check, and has been found eligible to purchase and possess firearms, that person must still undergo a background check and a 10-day waiting period when purchasing a handgun.
Residents moving into California have 60 days to register their handguns.