Proper transfer of former cops guns to another family member??

[MisplacedTexan]

Educate me. Never have done a PPT, and this might not be a simple transfer for the following reasons:

Mother In Law is in possession of the gun(s). She was recently diagnosed w/ Cancer so this is prompting proper documentation and transfer - better take care of it now than later when either she's physically weak or worse. (heavy sigh)

Here's the problem.
Mother In Law's second husband died some 10 years ago - quite suddenly and he was a retired local sworn cop.

Since he died suddenly, and caught her by surprise, very little attention was given to said guns - so they have been sitting untouched for a decade. So she's not the registered owner of the firearms (he was), and since he was rather "old school", she isn't absolutely positive on whether all of them are <ahem> have serial #'s, or if they do...... might not ...... well.... have a clear history.

Prior to just walking into a dealer - I want to make sure I know what steps to take to make sure I comply w/ the spirit (if not the letter) of the law.

Thanks in advance!!

[JeremyS]

If they are unregistered and not owned by anybody, it is my understanding that you can fill out and fax/mail the voluntary registration form. http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pd...rms/volreg.pdf

If they are registered, transfer must go through an FFL.

There is a chance that they are old enough to be unregistered in CA. My understanding is that's okay and that you can take ownership of them still.


If I were in this situation, I would call CRPA first, ask Librarian on here second (only to avoid bothering him unnecessarily), and call the CA DOJ third (they are not always accurate, apparently... believe it or not).



...a few of these topics may apply: http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/FAQ

[Librarian]

The only issue is whether one or another might have been reported stolen.

The wife inherited the guns. She should have filed the OPLAW form, but that's now water under the bridge. She still can, and it would cost her $19 to transfer all the handguns. (She'd also have to get an HSC...)

However, for PPT, ownership is not checked. It can't be - not all guns are registered, so many will come back with something like 'no record'.

So, she can transfer the handgun(s) to you via PPT, so long as you have the Handgun Safety Certificate and pass the background check.

See the wiki articles:
inheritance -- http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/In...and_Interstate
registration -- http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Firearms_registration
PPT -- http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Pr...Party_Transfer

[MisplacedTexan]

Jeremy - thanks for the CalGuns Foundation link - lots of good info.

Librarian, thanks as well - I don't think she has a HSC, I do, which is why she approached me about it (and if Turner's ever get the Sig Pro in, I'll finish that paperwork - but I digress....)
Point being, I'm the best option between one of her kids/ (in laws) that can take care of this.