Owned (unregistered) Handgun Since 2003

[Hadsman]

Situation:
- Unregistered Glock 21 - no tainted history
- gifted from family member
- gifted in a different State
- Moved to CA 2010
- USE: Home defense weapon

Intend:
Since I intend to keep it as home defense weapon I intend to fill out Firearm Registration Form.

Question:
Will CA come seeking more information and or hand me any penalties for not registering it sooner?

Thanks in advance for all your help and piece of mind.

[dvs762]

i doubt it..they just want the gun info..and I know people who moved here and did not know they had to register it..if anything tell them you just brought it back here recently from out of state...

[Hadsman]

Thanks DVS762.

That's what I thought. The details I'm putting down on the FOR:

Date Acquired: 2003
Acquired From: Father (Out of State)

Does that information jive or throw any flags up?

Thanks again.

[floogy]

i doubt it..they just want the gun info..and I know people who moved here and did not know they had to register it..if anything tell them you just brought it back here recently from out of state...

No. If someone failed to register when they entered the state there's a three year limitation to prosecute. Obviously there was no intent to commit any crime and he just forgot or didn't know. He's fine. Admitting to bringing a gun into the state without an FFL is illegal on federal and state levels. Please don't admit to a crime you didn't commit. There's currently no prosecution for registering a gun late.

Registering the gun will probably help a bit if you ever have to use it for HD. You can get it back easier. Also, carrying an unregistered handgun concealed is a felony vs a misdemeanor for a registered one.

[Hadsman]

Roger. Should I leave the "out of state" comment off the FOR then?

[floogy]

Roger. Should I leave the "out of state" comment off the FOR then?

I would, yes. Just the most basic information.

[Hadsman]

Thanks for your help. Semper Fi!

[stix213]

If the first they hear about your failure to register a firearm is from the form you send in to later register it, by sending in the registration form you are no longer in violation. They would simply rather have people send in the registration forms then be afraid to do it and leave the firearm unregistered.

27570. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that a violation of
Section 27560 or 27565 shall not constitute a "continuing offense"
and the statute of limitations for commencing a prosecution for a
violation of Section 27560 or 27565 commences on the date that the
applicable grace period specified in Section 27560 or 27565 expires.
(b) Sections 27560 and 27565 shall not apply to a person who
reports ownership of a handgun after the applicable grace period
specified in Section 27560 or 27565 expires if evidence of that
violation arises only as the result of the person submitting the
report described in Section 27560 or 27565.

http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/27570.html

You'll also note that since they specifically state failure to send in the registration form is not a continuing violation, that your 12 year old violation is beyond the statute of limitations, which I'm almost certain is 3 years for this.

[Hadsman]

That's great information and piece of mind. Thank you for that Sir.

[Librarian]

Asked and answered - nothing left to say.