Registration questions

[DermoSS]

Hello all

My Father has a 1911 that he purchased before it had to be registered. He has been the only owner and it was purchased new. It has always been my favorite gun. As he is older now he no longer has interest in shooting. My question is can I register it in my name?. Or what are the concerns about possessing or transporting an unregistered hand gun in California?

Also should I transfer the other registered guns that he owns to myself before something happens to him? Or is this something that can be applied to our family trust?

Thanks in advance.....

[Fjold]

For handguns you have to have a current Handgun Safety Certificate and he can give you the handguns. You have to fill out a Intra-famalial transfer form and send it in to the DOJ along with a check for $19.
Here's the form: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/oplaw.pdf

For long guns, your father can just give them to you, no paperwork required (unless they are registered AW's, then he can't transfer them).

[Quiet]

An unregistered handgun makes almost all misdemeanor firearm crimes into felonies.

Example, carrying a concealed handgun without a permit is a misdemeanor. Carrying concealed an unregistered handgun is a felony.

[fairfaxjim]

I would recommend that you use the Intra-Familial transfer to get all of the handguns registered to you (provided that is what your father wants.) It is very easy, and as stated above, only $19 for however many you register at once. You do not want to get popped with an unregistered handgun. While there are legal situations where you can posess one, you do not want to test those waters when one form and $19 can make it all legal without question.
On the other hand, don't get carried away and register any rifles or shotguns.

[DermoSS]

Thanks for the information. That answers everything I needed.

[smguser]

An unregistered handgun makes almost all misdemeanor firearm crimes into felonies.

Example, carrying a concealed handgun without a permit is a misdemeanor. Carrying concealed an unregistered handgun is a felony.

I don't want to hijack this, but if his father is caught carrying one of his handguns concealed, without a permit it's a felony? Just because it's unregistered, and even though it was not necessary to register the handgun when he bought it? (Not being an arse, just asking!)

[saki302]

There is absolutely NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT to register handguns you possessed before registration was necessary. Unless it comes up stolen in a check, there is NOTHING they can convict you with.

BUT- if your dad was to carry something ILLEGALLY, he would be best off buying something and having it registered to his name.
If you carefully read the illegal carry law though, I believe it doesn't mention registration- it says somethign to the order of if you are caught carrying illegally, and the gun does not belong to you and has not been borrowed with permission, it is a felony. It has been worded to protect politicians who carry illegally!

-Dave