Do cops have a list of what guns you own? [Archive]

View Full Version : Do cops have a list of what guns you own?

BamBam-31

01-24-2006, 08:33 PM

It was always my understanding that there is NO computerized database with firearms registration information on it. Hence the DC "Snipers" investigators hitting up local FFL's to copy down DROS info.

Two things that have me wondering:

My buddy's got a C&R license, and he believes it showed up when he got pulled over and the cop ran his DL. He said the cop's demeanor changed abruptly, and he felt that the cop handled the rest of the stop with more caution than he had previously. I kinda doubt this one, as C&R licenses are pretty innocuous (at least to me). Prolly my buddy imagining it.

The second incident, however, disturbed me more. My BIL's in Homeland Security, and he says that before they do raids on homes, they already have reports on whether the occupants own firearms. I asked, "How's that possible? There's no computerized database that lists firearms ownership, on a state or federal level. That'd be unconstitutional." He shrugged and gave me a bit of a convoluted answer involving judges, warrants, and the need for their safety. He asked his co-worker (SIL's boyfriend, who's also HS), and he agreed. I doubt they're lying--they say they can get access to what firearms are in which home.

Please tell me they're wrong. Unless there's some firearms-related incident at said residence, how the heck can they find out who has what (unless they start sifting through DROS's)? Is there some kind of under-the-table gun registration going on for the sake of LEO's, maybe something trickling down from the Patriot Act? God, I hope not.

saki302

01-24-2006, 08:51 PM

I've send a request to DOJ for a list of guns registered to my name- I got back a listing of all handguns *EVER* DROS'ed, plus all registered AW's.

AFAIK, DOJ does not register non-AW long guns. This is confirmed by a good LEO friend of mine also.

Since receiving that list, I've sent them numerous letters of 'no longer in possession' for anything I've sold int he past or sold since then (handguns only). I don't know if they remove the DROS record for you, but it gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling so I did it anyways.

I bet there's a person at the DOJ office who sees my letters and says "Oh great, it's HIM again!"..

-Dave

BamBam-31

01-24-2006, 09:00 PM

one417

01-24-2006, 09:27 PM

Sorry, treelogger, but I couldn't find the thread you're talking about. :(

So you're telling me if a cop pulls me over and runs my DL, he's got a list of EVERY handgun I've ever DROS-ed? Or if I call 911 and the cops come, they already know I've got X number of handguns and AW's in my possession even before they step out of their car? Good Lord, doesn't this affect the way LEO's approach said traffic stop/911 call?

:eek:

No,,no....L.E. has to access the Automated Firearms System to see what handguns are registered to you. It's not attached to your CDL info or DMV. However, a smart investigator will include a firearms check for any workup prior to service search warrants. No one checks to see what guns are registered to you during a t-stop; However,If a gun is found in your posession (legally), they may check to make sure that it's registered to you and not stolen. FWIW, only about 75% of my handguns are listed in AFS even though every single one has been DROS'ed at purchase....go figure.

Justang

01-24-2006, 09:49 PM

I have 2 guns that have been given to me by relatives. To my knowledge of the law if it is a blood relative you do not have to DROS the handgun. I have one that is older than the DROS so it's never been registered.

TKo_Productions

01-24-2006, 09:58 PM

Justang

01-24-2006, 10:04 PM

um, we were told we didn't need one since it was from my mom. hmmm. I should get on this. Where do I find these? And is there a 10day wait again?

tenpercentfirearms

01-24-2006, 10:20 PM

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/oplaw.pdf

I need to do this too.

BamBam-31

01-24-2006, 11:20 PM

Exactly what I was looking for, tree. Thanks. :)

one417, so you're telling me the AFS is a computerized database that's registered all my handguns via the DOJ and my DROS forms? And here I thought de facto gun registration was unconstitutional. Hmm.

Librarian

01-25-2006, 01:05 AM

And here I thought de facto gun registration was unconstitutional. Hmm.Unconstitutional? Why would you think that? It is something that the Congress pretty consistently refuses to let BATFE do, but that's statute and only applies to the Feds. States are free to do what they want in that area, no matter how useless and prone to corruption.

saki302

01-25-2006, 02:46 AM

If your mother gave you the handgun awhile ago (I can't remember the cutoff date), in the past letting them know about the transfer taking place was not necessary. I don't know what year they began requiring this.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of unregistered handguns in CA- Anything bought at a gun show prior to 1991 did not require a DROS.

As far as the new stuff goes, anything I've ever bought turned up in the paperwork search at DOJ- so in my case, it was 100% recordkeeping.

-Dave

one417

01-25-2006, 06:14 AM

Exactly what I was looking for, tree. Thanks. :)

one417, so you're telling me the AFS is a computerized database that's registered all my handguns via the DOJ and my DROS forms?

Correct.....

Bladewurk

01-25-2006, 05:31 PM

This info in AFS does not update automatically when you transfer a handgun through an FFL.I found this out when DOJ came to my house and read me a list of my handguns.You must file the form saying gun is no longer in possession.I was a little upset because I had already filed this form to remove one of the handguns but it had not updated yet..
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/forms/pdf/nlip.pdf

DrjonesUSA

01-26-2006, 03:14 PM

My BIL's in Homeland Security, and he says that before they do raids on homes,

Stop the truck.

What do you mean "THEY"???

The Dept. of Homeland Security can do house raids now?????

For what?????????

DrjonesUSA

01-26-2006, 03:15 PM

grammaton76

01-26-2006, 03:27 PM

one417, so you're telling me the AFS is a computerized database that's registered all my handguns via the DOJ and my DROS forms? And here I thought de facto gun registration was unconstitutional. Hmm.

I'll be surprised if the constitution ever does start mattering in California.

BamBam-31

01-26-2006, 06:10 PM

The Dept. of Homeland Security can do house raids now?????

Sorry, maybe "raids" was a poor choice of words. They have to gather up illegal immigrants and deport them, so they go to their homes, serve up the warrants, and make the arrests. I believe "raids" was his word, though.

I'll be surprised if the constitution ever does start mattering in California.

Yeah, that's the way it's looking to me as well. :mad:

berg

01-26-2006, 09:07 PM

See # 27 about getting the list of firearms they have on file for you
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/pubfaqs.htm#26

killermarmot

01-27-2006, 12:38 AM

Keep in mind that the firearm registration system is anything but fool proof, **** it doesn't work half the time from what i've heard. A friend of mine is in law enforcment (that's all I'll say) and several of his other fellow officers from various branches he's worked with were talking to me about the registration system. They say that about 30-40% of the time tehy run a serial number on a handgun nothing comes back and they have to give it over to the DOJ guys who get back to em in like 3 weeks and even then 30-40% of the time it's indeterminate. The idea that your handgun registration is linked to your driver's license is just not gunna happen.
Have you ever tried to deal with the state government before they can barely tell whether or not your a resident let alone what guns you own. and for god's sake don't register your long guns =)

Bladewurk

01-27-2006, 03:47 PM

What did you do to deserve a visit from the DOJ??
I purchased a Robinson M96 CA Recon from On Target in Laguna Niguel.Lots of backstory here........

Bladewurk

01-27-2006, 04:09 PM

Oh yeah. I remember that story....

Yes long story but VERY happy ending! ;) for myself and MY rifle anyway...... I hope our "off list" story has a similar ending.:D

TrailerparkTrash

01-28-2006, 02:43 AM

Guys you gotta remember,,,If you bought your handgun from a dealer in CA since about 1990, the gun WILL be located in the AFS. The thing about guns only being discovered 30-40% of the time is false. Yeah, if the gun was not purchased within CA and transfered from buddy to buddy, or it's an unreported stolen handgun that was never registered, it will just come back as "record not on file." CA is really big now on registered handguns and assault weapons. They don't care (yet) about shotguns and regular rifles (non-AW's).

As far as getting handguns from a parent such as an inheritance....DOJ says you must register the guns. However, if you don't and you are caught in (LEGAL) possession (see below paragraphs for "illegal possession") of the guns, i.e. at the range etc.... nothing is going to happen to you. To this date there has not been a single person ever convicted of "legally" possessing inherited handguns. (I'm not counting someone that was a convicted felon, or the gun was used in a crime or stolen, or possessed "illegally"...see below for more details).

In fact, there has not been one case of a person being brought to trial for possession of a legally possessed inherited handgun.

It's your own choice to register it or not. I personally have registered my handguns that I inherited. In the very rare case that I end up using one of those guns to defend myself and I was carrying it concealed (legally), I wanted it registered. Also, in the event the gun(s) was stolen and my own personal record(s) of the gun at home was lost, destroyed, whatever, it would be easier for the police to pull up the gun(s) in AFS by just using my name. Then a report could be taken and the gun(s) would be listed as "stolen." Chances of me getting it back would be much better if it were recovered.

Now here's some of the perhaps "bad" news, depending on a person's circumstances:

Some people say don't ever register anything, period. I say, that's a personal choice one has to make themselves. But I will add one last thing that I've mentioned on another post:

If a civilian is caught with an UNREGISTERED handgun in an illegal manner (i.e. concealed on his person while out on a nice walk etc...) then that is a felony. If convicted, you'll never own a gun again. If you beat the case (you probably won't in Kalifornia), then you were one of the lucky ones.

If the gun is still carried illegally (concealed on your person, while walking you dog in the park) yet it is REGISTERED in YOUR NAME (very important), it is only a misdemeanor. A conviction of most misdemeanors (excluding certain circumstances too long for this thread) will never be as bad as a labled "convicted felon" who has to check in with his/her parole officer.

Think about the choices you want to make. Felony vs. Misdemeanor.....do I register vs. I'm not gonna register.

Disclaimer: ;)
I'm not a lawyer. Seek a lawyer for professional advice. :cool: