New Member from California-need help with new laws

Koolwrench

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Hello guys,
I'm just curious as to what I can do as far as purchasing a S&W pistol here in California. I know the shields and sdve are the only ones left on the roster now and no new ones are to come. My question comes from S&W earlier handgun line the M&P 45. I found one on gunbroker from a trusted seller that stated it was CA complaint. I did end up messaging them and asking if it truly was and they stated that since it has a detachable magazine that it was no longer ca complaint in 2017. But a local gun shop told me that it's simply due to not being on the roster . I know I'm probably in the wrong state to want such a handgun but just wondering if anyone can shed the clear light on if there is anyway to obtain that pistol in California

Thanks for any responses.
 
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Contact your local Police may be a good start. If they dont know, I'm sure they know who you will need to ask. Aside from the gun laws-high taxed and many people, California is great.

Thank you,
 
Koolwrench... with a few exceptions, there is no way to bring a modern off roster handgun into CA from out of state. The few exceptions I mention are pistols listed on the roster of exempted Olympic Competition Pistols (https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/op.pdf?), or handguns that qualify as a Curio or Relic (C&R).

There used to be what's called an SSE (single shot exemption) for pistols... Sacramento did away with that.

However Single Action REVOLVERS, like a Ruger Blackhawk, Colt SSA or one of clones, are not required to be listed on the roster, so those are legal to bring in from out of state. That also gives one the legal ability to have a non roster double action revolver, sent to a California FFL, who in turn can have a gunsmith convert it to a single action only revolver (on S&W's the DA sear is removed from the hammer), and then it can be transferred (DROS'ed) under the revolver single action exemption to the roster. Once the gun is DROS'ed and picked up after the 10 day waiting period, there is nothing in our laws that prohibits reinstalling the DA sear to restore it back to a DA revolver.

Our gun laws are a patchwork quit of... I can't say what I'm thinking.

To buy an "off roster" handgun like the M&P you want, you need to buy it from a private party, that's close enough for the both of you to do a private party transfer (PPT) at a gun store. I have driven 100+ mile round trips (twice, to so the PPT and then pick it up after the 10 day wait) for S&W's that I wanted THAT badly. Some "motivated" sellers will also be willing to drive to do the transfer.

But be prepared to pay $$$$ for an off roster handgun, they can carry between a $100-$400 premium... I have seen non-shield M&P's being routinely listed in the $900- $1100 range on the CA specific gun forum, and those are the standard versions.

Also, what you experienced is typical for out of state, and even CA gun shops... they do not correctly know the laws, and to make maters worse, these guys that are supposed to know what they're talking about, like the IRS, the answers you get can't be depended upon to 100% accurate either: Bureau of Firearms | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

I know... I have a C&R FFL, and the stories I could tell you.

Oh... and welcome to the forum!! Feel free to PM me of you have more questions.
 
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My understanding of CA law is:

If you want to buy a modern production semi-auto handgun that is not on the current CA DOJ list, it must be via a private party transfer within the state. If it was 'once' approved but not currently it cannot be imported. No laws about pistols with detachable magazines being banned but any over ten rounds can no longer be owned.

"Aside from the gun laws-high taxe(s) and many people, California is great."

Don't get me started :).
 
My understanding of CA law is:

If you want to buy a modern production semi-auto handgun that is not on the current CA DOJ list, it must be via a private party transfer within the state. If it was 'once' approved but not currently it cannot be imported. No laws about pistols with detachable magazines being banned but any over ten rounds can no longer be owned.

"Aside from the gun laws-high taxe(s) and many people, California is great."

Don't get me started :).

So the gun basically has to be in California already to get it? Or registered in CA as well? Thanks for the help everyone. All these places telling me different things have gotten me really confused. I honestly really like the look of the M&P pistols but it looks like there will be no way to get a 45 version sold here. Obviously I would have loved the 45c or 45 shield but due to the micro stamping laws they will never be coming here :/
 
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The gun has to be transferred from a California resident. Current Ca.driver's license is what is required from seller. That is the only way you will be able to purchase a non-roster semi-automatic handgun in Ca.
Of course, at your favorite FFL only.
 
What I want to know is how did it ever get this bad in California? It almost sounds like they are intentionally trying to make the firearm laws out there so complex that even a law abiding person gets frustrated and gives up for fear of becoming a violator of wacky gun laws. I used to love to visit California, but I won't go there on a bet today. The voters of that once great state routinely put people like Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein and Jerry Brown in office and then wonder what the license plate number was of the truck that hit them. When I was a lot younger I used to think the off the wall gun laws were reserved for states in the east, but then California legislators started going crazy with their patchwork, knee jerk, feel good laws. I hate living in Wisconsin in the wintertime, but when I look west and see what has happened to California I just shake my head and thank the Lord I didn't get crazy as a kid in the 60's and move to San Francisco looking for some peace, love and understanding.

Rick H.
 
OP, just get on the Calguns.net website. Go to the "hand guns for sale" forum. Find whatever "Off Roster" hand gun you want and work out a Private Party Transfer (face to face) with the seller at an agreed upon FFL.
Background check, 10 day wait, approved lock with sales receipt showing you bought it within last 30 days, $35 fee and done.
Try not to PPT within the city limits of Los Angeles. They pile on their own additional useless regulations.
 
How it got so bad is easy. CA is a one-party state and has been for some time. The Democrat-Socialist party has a super majority in both houses and all the constitutional officers are members of the Democrat-Socialist party. They think guns are evil (unless they are owned by good liberals) and people who own guns are evil (unless they are good liberals). They are backed up by the judiciary, many of whom are activists and enforce laws as they believe they should be rather than as they are written. CA gun laws are designed to make it as difficult as possible for honest, law-abiding people to purchase and own guns and ammunition. Public safety has nothing to do with it. Political correctness has everything to do with it.
 
How it got so bad is easy. CA is a one-party state and has been for some time. The Democrat-Socialist party has a super majority in both houses and all the constitutional officers are members of the Democrat-Socialist party. They think guns are evil (unless they are owned by good liberals) and people who own guns are evil (unless they are good liberals). They are backed up by the judiciary, many of whom are activists and enforce laws as they believe they should be rather than as they are written. CA gun laws are designed to make it as difficult as possible for honest, law-abiding people to purchase and own guns and ammunition. Public safety has nothing to do with it. Political correctness has everything to do with it.
Right on the money, hope CA breaks off into the ocean.
 
Thanks for the help guys. Really sucks these laws are in place but I'm looking for what's available through calguns and arms list for a ppt .
 
Right on the money, hope CA breaks off into the ocean.

I live in CA and I hope so too, but I hope it only breaks off in the San Fransisco/Los Angeles areas. Those population centers control the voting block for the liberals,
 
It almost sounds like they are intentionally trying to make the firearm laws out there so complex that even a law abiding person gets frustrated and gives up for fear of becoming a violator of wacky gun laws.
Probably wasn't the primary intent but no doubt a by-product of the 'master plan'
CA gun laws are designed to make it as difficult as possible for honest, law-abiding people to purchase and own guns and ammunition.
I have often wondered if reloading has ever been 'considered' for control by the same anti-gun, socialist politicians in CA.
 
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My question comes from S&W earlier handgun line the M&P 45. I found one on gunbroker from a trusted seller that stated it was CA complaint. I did end up messaging them and asking if it truly was and they stated that since it has a detachable magazine that it was no longer ca complaint in 2017.
OK, your question has been answered, but I just want to chime in. Please feel free to PM me any time about questions on CA gun laws. I spend a lot of time trying to learn what is and what isn't legal.

One thing that transcends anything anyone here can say is the actual law. Anyone can say anything and it might even sound good. However, if they can't produce the code, take it with a grain of salt. Always verify what people say. The guy telling you a pistol isn't "compliant" because it has a removable magazine, obviously doesn't know what he's talking about.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is exactly what a Private Party Transfer (PPT) is. It is NOT just buying a used gun. Both parties must be a CA resident. So, you can't just buy a used gun from out of state.
 
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