Becoming a gun owner in California

This is a guide showing how an adult resident of California with no criminal record obtains a handgun or rifle for the first time from a commercial firearms dealer.

Handguns

You must be over 21 PC ? 12072(a)(3)(A), be eligible to purchase a firearm, and be a resident of California PC ? 12071(b)(8)(C)

  1. Determine what type of handgun you would like to own
  2. Obtain an approved firearms safety device for the firearm you intend to purchase
    • The Department of Justice recommends obtaining both a locking mechanism to prevent your firearm from discharging as well as a locking storage container. You must bring with you, when purchasing your firearm, either proof of ownership of a locking storage container, or your locking mechanism.
    • If you obtain a locking mechanism :
      • Bring it with you when you pick up the firearm (after the waiting period)
      • Bring the receipt and make sure that you’ve purchased the locking mechanism within the prior 30 days to the date you pick up the firearm
    • The requirement of a locking mechanism or locking storage container are detailed in the PC ? 12087
      • 12088.1(e) The sale or transfer of a firearm shall be exempt from subdivision (a) if all of the following apply:
        1. The purchaser or transferee purchases an approved safety device no more than 30 days prior to the day the purchaser or transferee takes possession of the firearm.
        2. The purchaser or transferee presents the approved safety device to the firearms dealer when picking up the firearm.
        3. The purchaser or transferee presents an original receipt to the firearms dealer which shows the date of purchase, the name, and the model number of the safety device.
        4. The firearms dealer verifies that the requirements in (1) to (3), inclusive, have been satisfied.
        5. The firearms dealer maintains a copy of the receipt along with the dealers’ record of sales of firearms.
  3. Read the Handgun Safety Certificate Study Guide
  4. Drive to a licensed firearms dealer bringing :
  5. Take the Handgun Safety Certificate test
  6. Purchase the firearm. At this point the 10 day waiting period begins, after which you can pick up the firearm
  7. Return 10 days later bringing :
    • A vehicle with a trunk, or an approved locking storage container
    • Your approved firearms safety device for the firearm you intend to purchase
  8. Perform the “safe handling demonstration” http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dwcl/12070.php PC ? 12071(b)(8)(D)
  9. Take ownership of the firearm from the dealer and insert your locking mechanism to disable the firearm
  10. Purchase ammunition for the firearm
  11. Transport the firearm and ammunition to your vehicle and put them either in the trunk or in an approved locking storage container

Rifles

You must be over 18 PC ? 12072(a)(3)(A), and be eligible to purchase a firearm

  1. Determine what type of rifle you would like to own
  2. Obtain an approved firearms safety device for the firearm you intend to purchase
    • The Department of Justice recommends obtaining both a locking mechanism to prevent your firearm from discharging as well as a locking storage container. You must bring with you, when purchasing your firearm, either proof of ownership of a locking storage container, or your locking mechanism.
    • If you obtain a locking mechanism :
      • Bring it with you when you pick up the firearm (after the waiting period)
      • Bring the receipt and make sure that you’ve purchased the locking mechanism within the prior 30 days to the date you pick up the firearm
    • The requirement of a locking mechanism or locking storage container are detailed in the PC ? 12087
      • 12088.1(e) The sale or transfer of a firearm shall be exempt from subdivision (a) if all of the following apply:
        1. The purchaser or transferee purchases an approved safety device no more than 30 days prior to the day the purchaser or transferee takes possession of the firearm.
        2. The purchaser or transferee presents the approved safety device to the firearms dealer when picking up the firearm.
        3. The purchaser or transferee presents an original receipt to the firearms dealer which shows the date of purchase, the name, and the model number of the safety device.
        4. The firearms dealer verifies that the requirements in (1) to (3), inclusive, have been satisfied.
        5. The firearms dealer maintains a copy of the receipt along with the dealers’ record of sales of firearms.
  3. Drive to a licensed firearms dealer bringing :
  4. Purchase the firearm. At this point the 10 day waiting period begins, after which you can pick up the firearm
  5. Return 10 days later bringing :
    • A vehicle with a trunk, or an approved locking storage container
    • Your approved firearms safety device for the firearm you intend to purchase
  6. Take ownership of the firearm from the dealer and insert your locking mechanism to disable the firearm
  7. Purchase ammunition for the firearm
  8. Transport the firearm and ammunition to your vehicle and put them either in the trunk or in an approved locking storage container

Concealed Weapons

Law

Handgun Safety Certificate

Ammunition

Retailers

  • http://www.miwallcorp.com/index.php?route=information/calendar