An open question....

[Griz375]

I don't live in California & admittedly joined for some grass-roots opinions about firearms issues not the MSM or FedGov generated crap.

Lately I've been poking around in the marketplace, looking for a few firearms and have noticed pricing seems substantially higher than what I'm used to. Are there significant State or local fees attached to acquiring or disposing of a firearm in CA?

I also see a lot of flat-out 'refuse to ship', more so than on any other site; why is that?

I get being cautious but, if a buyer pays up-front, as is generally the case, & the purchased item goes to a local FFL to complete the requisite gov. transfer documents, what's the stumbling block? I even offered to use an escrow service which would allow me an inspection but provided for appropriate return shipping if the firearm wasn't as represented.

I'm not trying to offend or start an argument; just looking for some insight.

[sheepdawg]

Since you don’t live in California, I’m going to assume you’re not familiar with the issues about the handgun roster, which is cause of a lot of it. The handgun roster limits what handguns can be sold in California, and the list is essentially closed off, meaning that the most advanced Glock available to purchase new from a California dealer is a Generation 3. Generation 4 and 5 Glocks are “off-roster.” One of the few ways to buy an off-roster handgun is a “Private Party Transaction,” which is a sale from one California resident to another California resident that meet face-to-face at a California dealer. So that means 1) There’s a very limited supply of off-roster handguns, because you have to buy it used from another California, and 2) you have to meet that Californian in person, meaning no shipping. Because of that really limited supply, people can ask for a lot more for off-roster handguns.

There’s also some other issues, but the roster is the main one, and this isn’t the right forum to discuss it.

[Garv]

Welcome Griz.

As sheepdawg said, the roster impacts the price for handguns.

With the current shortage, even guns that are on the roster are selling for more than MSRP.

I would look elsewhere for handguns unless you find the unicorn of your dreams.

Shipping: We have had a bunch of scammers lately so that may be part of it, but shipping guns is a pain that most of us do not want to deal with, roster or no.

Off roster handguns cannot be shipped to "regular people", even for a PPT (private party transfer, CA resident to CA resident) and since most of us are CA, we automatically say "no shipping", even if there are a few limited exceptions.

Hope you find some good stuff, if not hang around for some conversation anyway.

[Griz375]

Thank you both.

I'd heard of 'the roster' of course but, as it had no impact on me day-to-day, I didn't bother delving into it & just wrote it off as more socialist 'we know what's best for you' crap.

Apparently I was right but after these explanatory notes, I have a much better sense of what daily duress the California shooting community has to deal with.

I hope it gets better for you but knowing how the socialist mindset develops in bureaucrats once the seed is planted, I don't see any improvement coming easily.

Stay healthy.

[-hanko]

Thank you both.

I'd heard of 'the roster' of course but, as it had no impact on me day-to-day, I didn't bother delving into it & just wrote it off as more socialist 'we know what's best for you' crap.

Apparently I was right but after these explanatory notes, I have a much better sense of what daily duress the California shooting community has to deal with.

I hope it gets better for you but knowing how the socialist mindset develops in bureaucrats once the seed is planted, I don't see any improvement coming easily.

Stay healthy.

In the last 20 years, no one has seen any improvements coming easily or with effort. As long as Demo's control the legislature, executive branch, and the courts, there will be changes but on the downside.

That results in a thriving market between old friends and friends of friends. DOJ estimates around only 8% of what they define as "assault weapons" were actually registered in the last 2 or 3 registrations. Good to see the percentage of non-compliance, but Calguns asks that you stay legal.

[Garv]

Just don’t ask about:
ammo laws,
knife laws,
concealed carry requirements in many counties,
1 in 30,
10 day wait,
or laws regarding ARs.