Moving to California, what now?

[Bratastic007]

Hello all,

I am hoping there is a current or former CA resident here that can give me some advice.

There is the very real potential that an opportunity at work will require that I relocate to CA for 3-4 years, and the relocation would happen in the next 6 months.

I own several firearms that the state of CA would frown on (I think), such as semi-auto handguns with greater than 10 round magazines, and one AR-style rifle (a Sig 556) with detachable magazines.

My question is, what do I do with my firearms?! Can I bring them and just keep it on the QT? Do you ever see someone at the range with a CA no-no gun? If so, what happens?

I really do not want to sell my guns since I'm returning to my home state in a few years. I also don't want to leave them behind, since in my mind that defeats the whole purpose of owning them.

On a related note, how "bad" is living in California anyway? I'm very conservative in my 2nd Amendment beliefs, but fairly libertarian otherwise. I'm just kind of worried that living in CA will drive me crazy. Or are there other normal people to be found?

Any advice will be very appreciated!

 

[sipowicz]

I'm normal.

 

[Bratastic007]

What's it like to be a firearms owner in CA? Are there shooting ranges near where you live? Can you, or do you, conceal carry?

Are you the only normal guy you know?

[Edit to add: Maybe I just watch too much TV and have the complete wrong impression of California?]

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I'm normal.

I'm not. But I'm pro gun.

 

[sipowicz]

There are loads of gun owners here...but in my libtard city, we are more of a secret society...I would call the Cali AG's office and find out the rules for bringing your guns in...they may not allow non DOJ aprroved guns or maybe they will if you already own them....not sure...worst case scenario for your pistols that are allowed would be to get some 10 rounders and have a relative hold the +10s. Assault rifles will probably be a no no.....

 

[ladder13]

Enjoy the weather while you're there, cannot be beaten anywhere in the Continental US.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

What's it like to be a firearms owner in CA? Are there shooting ranges near where you live? Can you, or do you, conceal carry?

Are you the only normal guy you know?

[Edit to add: Maybe I just watch too much TV and have the complete wrong impression of California?]

Most of the problems are the hurtles to buy the guns we're allowed to buy.
5 year Handgun safty certificate: $25
Gun lock for handgun: $8
Must own a safe (here anyway)
Show store you can load/unload gun correctly (not everywhere)
One handgun a month unless it's between two people (not a store), but that transfer must be thru an FFL.
Tons of paperwork and 10 day wait for all guns.
There are ranges everywhere like other states. It's a felony in some cities to have a loaded gun in your car. Oakland for sure. Definetly S.F.
Concealed carry! HA!!
Most of the great revolvers you see on the internet aren't allowed over the lavender curtain into the People's Republic of Cubafornia. Drop test crap.
I have to go now.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

One more thing about California. The masses of socialists in the Bay Area and Southern Ca. rule by sheer numbers. But these are concentrated areas. Venture outside these areas and it's just like Montana or Arizona. Up here in NorCal you can drive into zillions of little towns where people have completely different attitudes. Some towns are pot growing enclaves where they don't care much about most laws. I have no desire to grow pot but these are great folks we encountered in out of the way mountain town bars or whatever.

 

[Davwingman]

Another thing to consider is that in central Ca. there is a lead free zone for hunting. Meaning you can not use lead bullets for any kind of hunting. Lead is ok for targets & most ranges around here. I used to shoot several thousand ground squirrels per year, but since the lead ban went into effect, I take my varmint rifles, lead bullets & money to the out of state praire dog fields. I figure both the buzzards & game wardens can starve to death. I now spend my shooting time at the range practicing with my revolvers. These are some of the ones I had out yesterday.

 

[Bratastic007]

It sounds like it would behoove me to retain my residence in the current home state. That way I can come back home from time to time in order to make firearms purchases with (relative) ease, and still purchase rifles and pistols that would not be available to me in CA.

 

[Davwingman]

It sounds like it would behoove me to retain my residence in the current home state. That way I can come back home from time to time in order to make firearms purchases with (relative) ease, and still purchase rifles and pistols that would not be available to me in CA.

I don't think you can do that. After you are here in Ca. & accept employment you have a short to get your car registered & obtain a Ca. drivers license.

 

[chickenfried]

The standard capacity magazines holding more than ten rounds would be a no no. You could temporarily alter the sig556 with a bullet button and ten round magazines to be CA legal. You can bring in pretty much any handguns you own. But threaded barrels on a handgun are a no no. Also the taurus judge is not legal in CA can't remember why. One positive you could stock up on your collection of older guns and some newer ones before the move and have no problem selling them off for a little extra pocket cash later. If it's not on this list you'll find an eager buyer Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale - Firearms Division.

There's plenty of normal people. We're just outnumbered . Visit http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/index.php for more info

I am moving into California and I own several handguns. What are the new-resident registration requirements?

You are considered to be a personal handgun importer as defined by California law. You may bring all of your otherwise California-legal firearms with you, but you must report all of your handguns to the DOJ within 60 days as required utilizing the New Resident Handgun Ownership Report. PDF logo [PDF 518 kb / 2 pg] You are not required to report rifles or shotguns. You may not bring ammunition feeding devices with a capacity greater than ten rounds, machineguns, or assault weapons into California.

(PC sections 12001, 12072(f)(2))

Frequently Asked Questions - Public - Bureau of Firearms - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

Hello all,


I own several firearms that the state of CA would frown on (I think), such as semi-auto handguns with greater than 10 round magazines, and one AR-style rifle (a Sig 556) with detachable magazines.

My question is, what do I do with my firearms?! Can I bring them and just keep it on the QT? Do you ever see someone at the range with a CA no-no gun? If so, what happens?

I really do not want to sell my guns since I'm returning to my home state in a few years. I also don't want to leave them behind, since in my mind that defeats the whole purpose of owning them.

On a related note, how "bad" is living in California anyway? I'm very conservative in my 2nd Amendment beliefs, but fairly libertarian otherwise. I'm just kind of worried that living in CA will drive me crazy. Or are there other normal people to be found?

Any advice will be very appreciated!

 

[SWID]

Like Wyatt said it has a lot to do with where you are. In some counties the sheriff could not care less about the gun laws. Nobody knows how many "assault rifles" there are in the state that the state does not know about, but it's more than they do know about.

Just be cool. If you bring a no-no into the state just be sure to have a safe and keep it locked up. No law enforcement type is going to come to your door for an inspection, but if some body steals something from you and uses it in a crime and they trace it back to you then you would have a problem.

There is a lot to like about California, you can find plenty to do besides shoot, and you can do it in February.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Like Wyatt said it has a lot to do with where you are. In some counties the sheriff could not care less about the gun laws. Nobody knows how many "assault rifles" there are in the state that the state does not know about, but it's more than they do know about.

Just be cool. If you bring a no-no into the state just be sure to have a safe and keep it locked up. No law enforcement type is going to come to your door for an inspection, but if some body steals something from you and uses it in a crime and they trace it back to you then you would have a problem.

There is a lot to like about California, you can find plenty to do besides shoot, and you can do it in February.

You reminded me of something, Swid. Last weeks Ca. gun law is one where in Sa. County, maybe the whole state, you have to report a stolen gun within so many days or you're held liable for bad things that happen.
If I lived somewhere else I'd make a negative generalization about the state, but there's lots to do and see, great people (even in S.F and L.A.!). For example. here's a view I witnessed last week in Yosemite.

 

[Bratastic007]

I'd be lying if I said that I was finding this information to be comforting.

Maybe I'm a paranoid kook, but my skin crawls when someone demands that I register all my handguns within 60 days of entering the state. I'm not just all about guns, and I'm certain that there are tons of other aspects of living in California that I would appreciate and enjoy. But the libertarian in me is still kind of creeped out by CA.

Maybe I'll see if the same work opportunity is available in Arizona or Utah or Idaho.

Just the same, thank you to everyone for the input so far. Big thanks to Chickenfried for the links.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I'd be lying if I said that I was finding this information to be comforting.

Maybe I'm a paranoid kook, but my skin crawls when someone demands that I register all my handguns within 60 days of entering the state. I'm not just all about guns, and I'm certain that there are tons of other aspects of living in California that I would appreciate and enjoy. But the libertarian in me is still kind of creeped out by CA.

Maybe I'll see if the same work opportunity is available in Arizona or Utah or Idaho.

Just the same, thank you to everyone for the input so far. Big thanks to Chickenfried for the links.

You're not paranoid at all. My gripes about the state involve stuff besides firearms like more taxation as a remedy for everything. State workers who can retire at age 22 with $120,000 a year pentions and full benifits, and new restrictions popping up every day (no selling of pets in S.F. Hey! They have the same rights as us. That's like slavery!). Good luck.

 

[feralmerril]

Evidently california has changed big time since I left going on six years ago. Maybe I was extra lucky too. I lived there from 1965 to 2005 and built up a fine collection. I packed and shot a lot. (I had to carry on my humble security job). Once I got into a gun involved fracus OFF the job and came out okay. I aquired many fine rare guns and had tables at gun shows. In short I did pretty much as I wanted but kept my nose clean.

 

[dant]

yep, kinda like being 'stationed' there or "in school"?? keep your mailing address (residence) where you will HOPEFULLY be going back to,before the entire things slides off , into the ocean and the foothills of the Rockies become beachfront property..................when we "visited" there and stayed off and on along the coast from Tijuana, and San Diego, through La Holla ( in Mission Hills) and visited my Mom, in Oakland, back when she lived on MacArthur Blvd, the ground shook ,about every day ( yes, I NOTICED,,, they all took it for granted) so yeppur, they can keep the whole enchilada,I'm happy here in the midwest and LOVE the 4 seasons...( hell we have fresh water and all we want, every day..............)
Good luck.........................

 

[Wyatt Burp]

yep, kinda like being 'stationed' there or "in school"?? keep your mailing address (residence) where you will HOPEFULLY be going back to,before the entire things slides off , into the ocean and the foothills of the Rockies become beachfront property..................when we "visited" there and stayed off and on along the coast from Tijuana, and San Diego, through La Holla ( in Mission Hills) and visited my Mom, in Oakland, back when she lived on MacArthur Blvd, the ground shook ,about every day ( yes, I NOTICED,,, they all took it for granted) so yeppur, they can keep the whole enchilada,I'm happy here in the midwest and LOVE the 4 seasons...( hell we have fresh water and all we want, every day..............)
Good luck.........................

The earthquakes are no big deal out here. Oh. Except that one time in '89 when the light fixture fell on my head and all those people died all over and got squished two blocks from my job in Oakland when the double deck freeway turned into an instant sandwich.
Other than that it's not too bad.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Speaking as a 3rd generation Californian I spent the first 36 years of my life in the Bay Area. Next 36 years were spent in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Bought & sold many firearms without a problem but it isn't that way now. The libs have taken over the state & for the worse I believe. Be careful of the guns you bring in, make sure they are appoved. Leave the others with a family member or trustworthy friend. Since moving to Oregon I don't have a problem. In fact I store guns here for my family there. California weather cannot be beaten but their politics suck.