California Gun Transfers

[williamlayton]

Again, not wanting to Hi-jack another thread.
As I understand it--when you move to California all weapons must be registered---is that correct?
What if you don't do it---who comes and checks?
I am not advocating breaking the law--I am just wondering if this ia a major thing or if this is local enforcement and some parts of the state are more lax than others.
Blessings

 

[Art Doc]

CA state law requires all handguns must be registered with the state DoJ and I believe a fee (I have heard it is now $20 up from the original $15 years ago) paid for each. I have also heard that multiple guns may be included on the same form for one fee. The CA DoJ will have the definitive answer.

Any gun that is outright illegal to buy in CA cannot be legally imported when you move. No magazines over 10 round capacity may be legally brought into the state. Of course, you ask the $64,000 question with "How do they know?"

In my experience having lived in CA until 1992, being a frequent visitor (and legally a P/T resident), and having friends still living there is that CA is not actively enforcing any of the above onerous gun laws. My friend had a pistol stolen last year and reported it to police who could have theoretically arrested him because he never registered the gun but nothing was said about it. I am not aware of anything being done about people moving into the state to check for banned guns other than when one applies for a CA drivers license from out of state one gets a notice detailing the requirements on registering handguns. There is no follow up.

The fact is CA's stupid and clearly un-Constitutional gun laws are largely ignored my many people. You know CA residents go across the state line and but large capacity magazines and that guns go unregistered all the time. This is the problem with bad laws; the cops don't want to enforce them and the people tend to ignore them.

It's a shame that the socialists outnumber decent Americans in CA when it comes time to vote. This sort of carp is the result.

 

[Davwingman]

Seems to be about revenue enhancement & another make work project for bureaucrats! In the case of long guns you pay the fee & after a short time, maybe five days, the records are deleted. Handgun records are permanent.

 

[Dump1567]

Here's what CA says.

Firearms Information for New California Residents | State of California - Department of Justice - Kamala D. Harris Attorney General

Firearms Information for New California Residents

Handguns

Any person who moves into California and who brings any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person is considered to be a "Personal Handgun Importer" and is required to do one of the following within 60 days:

Complete and submit a NEW RESIDENT HANDGUN OWNERSHIP REPORT form along with $19.00 to the Department of Justice. A separate report form and $19.00 fee is required for each handgun reported. NEW RESIDENT HANDGUN OWNERSHIP REPORT forms can be obtained from California Department of Motor Vehicles' offices, licensed firearms dealers, local police and sheriff's departments, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms at (916) 263-4887, and from the Online Forms Page at this site.

Sell or transfer the handgun(s) to a California licensed firearms dealer or to another individual using a California licensed firearms dealer to conduct the transaction.

or
Sell or transfer the handgun(s) to a California police or sheriff's department. Persons choosing this option should contact the law enforcement agency for instructions prior to transporting the handgun(s) to the agency.

Any person transporting handguns in California is required under California law to transport those handguns unloaded and in a locked container other than the glove compartment or utility compartment of a vehicle.

SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES

California law does not require persons moving into California report rifles or shotguns. One important thing to be aware of though is that certain rifles and shotguns may be defined as assault weapons in California and are prohibited from entering this state under most normal circumstances. Additionally, machine guns and ammunition feeding devices with the capacity to accept greater that 10 rounds may not be transported into California.

Please be aware that failure to comply with these mandated handgun requirements could result in criminal prosecution (Penal Code Section 12072(g)).

 

[Ol' Deadeye]

California never looked better to me than when I saw it in my rear view mirror in 1994 after 14 years in Orange County.

Thank God for The Lone Star State....lol

 

[mtb1bkr]

All of the above is correct if you are moving to CA to become a permanent resident. A permanent resident as depermined by CADOJ is a person with a state issued ID and a CA address. This sounds trivial, but here's the best part, which works greatly in favor of military folks. If you are transfered here to work while in the military, you are considered a guest to the state, and are not required to register any guns, abide by the hi-cap magazine ban and there are some others which don't apply. The only one you are still required to follow is the AWB, as they are very scared of those EBRs!! For the best answer to all your CA gun questions, it's best to just give the DOJ Firearms branch a call and ask them. I have talked to them 4-5 times and they are a great bunch of guys. You can tell by talking to them, they aren't any more impressed with the laws they are tasked with upholding than we are.

Bill

 

[medalguy]

The only problem with NOT registering your firearms with the Kalinazis is that one aggressive cop or DA who is hell-bent on prosecuting you for possessing and failing to register in the event you are caught with any of the evil goodies. IMO it's not worth the risk. Just stay in Texas and enjoy your freedom-- and your guns.

 

[Gunhacker]

For your over the 10-rd limit magazines you can disassemble them and bring them with you legally as "rebulid parts kits". Magazine parts are not illegal to posses or transport into CA.

That will keep you out of trouble in transit should you find yourself at the other end of a traffic stop enjoying the hospitality of the CHP.

Disassembling them to get them here doesn't get you home free though, as it's illegal to reassemble them into hi-cap mags again once your in California... at least you'll still have them if and when a CalGuns Foundation lawsuit is successful in changing our idiotic laws and it becomes legal again.

Also, a new law was just signed by the Governor that enacts the same registration requirement for long guns that handguns are subject to. It doesn't take effect right away... I think it kicks in at the start of 2013.

This link below is to website that I believe is a "must see" for California gun owners, unlike other websites posting CA gun laws, they strive for absolute accuracy in their website content.

Calguns Foundation Wiki

 

[Art Doc]

$19 per handgun.

I couldn't afford to move back there even I wanted to...

 

[Chubbs103]

All of the above is correct if you are moving to CA to become a permanent resident. A permanent resident as depermined by CADOJ is a person with a state issued ID and a CA address. This sounds trivial, but here's the best part, which works greatly in favor of military folks. If you are transfered here to work while in the military, you are considered a guest to the state, and are not required to register any guns, abide by the hi-cap magazine ban and there are some others which don't apply. The only one you are still required to follow is the AWB, as they are very scared of those EBRs!! For the best answer to all your CA gun questions, it's best to just give the DOJ Firearms branch a call and ask them. I have talked to them 4-5 times and they are a great bunch of guys. You can tell by talking to them, they aren't any more impressed with the laws they are tasked with upholding than we are.

Bill

This is important to mention. When I got orders to California I had trouble getting straight answers on military, non-residents. The waters are muddied by the fact that the registration form asks for a copy of your military orders.

I am not here to be a sea-lawyer, however. If you have any questions about military non-residents and gun possession call the CA DOJ at 916-263-4887. They were actually friendly and helpful when I called.

They did tell me that there is no exemption for high cap mags. I have not found anything in writing to the contrary. In fact, we have a Ranger that patrols the BLM land out here that checks for them.

Good luck with the assault weapons registration for military members. The state refused to renew a friend of mines this year with no explanation given. He shipped his rifle out of state to family.

Chubbs

 

[ElToro]

i believe thee is an enhancement charge if you ever commit a crime with an "unregistered" gun. or god forbid use one for home defense. just one more thing for a DA to throw on you

 

[drewjh]

I'd register all of them as per the DOJ guidelines. If you ever want to shoot them you'll have to transport them and being stopped with an unregistered handgun in the car is not a situation I'd ever want to be in. Also pay close attention to the requirement for transporting them in a locked case.

 

[H Richard]

"Almost" darn glad I live in Illinois, we can buy nearly anything we want, and only have to register ourselves as gun owners. IL the only state left without any CCW law.