Handgun importation

[Wizard99]

If I have handguns stored at my parents house outside of California and I have been living in california for more than five years can I bring them into the state without going through an FFL? And do I need to register them with DOJ?

[bwiese]

I take it these are indeed your handguns, that these were indeed your handguns before you moved into CA (and thus that your parent(s) are not giving them to you at this time). However, if your folks are giving them to you now, then they have to go thru a CA FFL.

If these are indeed your guns, there is no law that someone moving to CA can't leave his handguns stored anywhere he wants, regardless of the legal method of acquisition of the handgun(s) in the owner's original state of residence. There is no law that a Californian can't bring his handguns back with him from outta state storage, either.

However, you are/were a 'personal handgun importer'. You need to file a New Resident Handgun report with DOJ and pay $19/gun fee. The form is at

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/ab991frm.pdf

Since 1/1/1998, you were supposed to do this as a handgun owner within 60 days of moving to CA, but there is an exemption in the law that allows you to late file and not have any problems.

When completing the form, the "date acquired" field of your handgun(s) is the date you acquired them outside California (approximation OK, best of your knowledge). You are completing this form under oath; submission of the form will (supposedly) run a DROS-style background check on you.

[Wizard99]

Thanks Bill,

I assume that any handguns possesed in California prior to 1/1/98 are not required to be registered. What are the benifits/detriments of registering any handguns possesed in California prior to 1/1/98?

Thanks again

[Librarian]

Thanks Bill,

I assume that any handguns possesed in California prior to 1/1/98 are not required to be registered. What are the benifits/detriments of registering any handguns possesed in California prior to 1/1/98?

I can think of no benefits at all. Drawbacks to you are cost and effort to complete entirely optional paperwork.

If you bought them here since 1990, DOJ already knows. If they came here from out of state prior to 1 Jan 1998, DOJ has no statutory basis to care.

[dfletcher]

When completing the form, the "date acquired" field of your handgun(s) is the date you acquired them outside California (approximation OK, best of your knowledge). You are completing this form under oath; submission of the form will (supposedly) run a DROS-style background check on you.

Regarding DROS of a gun already in one's possession - what happens if the background check reveals a person is prohibited from owning a gun? Does PD come & knock on your door, does DOJ send you a nasty letter?

[FCinCA]

If you are not eligible to possess a handgun or rifle because of a criminal offense, you are in violation of the law. Someone will be coming to see you guaranteed.