purchasing a handgun in california??

[loyalpatriot]

What are the requirements to purchase a handgun?Do you just need the Handgun Safety Certificate? Where can I take the test for the HSC on the sf peninsula?? What firearms dealer in the bay area has the best selection of handguns? I am turning 21 in may and plan on getting a gun than, looking real hard at all the choices now that I am almost of legal age, I have always found gunbroker.com to be a real great place to buy guns but I also try to support local gun dealers.

[Inoxmark]

City Arms in Pacifica has been recommended by many users here for their selection and decent prices. You can take your HSC test there. Don't forget you would also be required to show proof of residence when you purchase a handgun.

[CowtownBallin]

Hope you don't live in San Francisco, 'cause you won't have handguns there for long (what, July?)

[Black Majik]

Congrats on getting your first handgun. It'll certainly be an exciting experience.

The process to get a handgun is not difficult at all. A HSC certificate is issued upon completing their multiple choice test which is very easy. Mostly common sense questions. They do have a small pamphlet that you can study that is 50 cents I believe.

You'll need your ID, the CA Drivers License is fine.

You'll also need a proof of residency. This would be a car registration, telephone bill (not cell phone bill), utility bill etc that proves you have a residence in CA.

and of course the legal age of 21.

I believe that's it. I would also suggest you take a NRA basic handgun course to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of safe gun handling and basic shooting fundamentals.

Good luck!

[Inkman]

Requirements? All of what Black Majik said plus one more very important one.









You had better have a damn good job, cuz it's hard to stop at just one. You think you only need one and next thing you know, you've got a safe that is full of em and you are looking at buying another one.

Al

[taloft]

Good for you! you'll love it. Post us some pictures once you've recieved it.

I second what everyone else has said.

In addition:

I would recommend that you get a safe. Even if it is only a small hand gun safe. Make sure you bolt it to something. Nothing is worse than coming home only to discover that you've been robbed, and now some low life is running around with your gun. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. At least the safe will make it hard on the burglar. Trust me when I say this. I've had this happen, it's a crappy feeling.

[Black Majik]

Theres a way to get around the gunlock for each handgun.

Prior to pickup of your handgun, stop by wal-mart and get a gunlock for the firearm that your about to pick up. As you get to the counter to pick up your firearm, show them the receipt for the gunlock you just purchased. As long as the receipt has been purchased within a 30 day timespan you're good to go.

Pick up your firearm without paying for the lock at the gunstore. Return the gunlock at Wal-Mart. While you're at Wal-Mart again pick up some WWB Value Packs

[socalsteve]

Very Important BEFORE you bid on gunbroker check the list of firearms allowed in California.

My ffl dealer told me that if you (me, anyone) buys a handgun out of state that is NOT on that list he cannot make the transfer.

So if your heart is set on a nice Colt Python, which is not on the list or a Taurus 941 .22mag, the only way to buy it is PTP in California. You cannot get it transferred to you from out of state. I think you cannot even mail it from a Southern Cal. FFL to a Northern Cal. FFl - thats what I read on here. You can take it to Turners Outdoorsman for the transfer.

Turners wensite has the Cal. DOJ approved firearms list at the bottom of their home page.

https://www.turners.com

Good luck

[Black Majik]

Turners wensite has the Cal. DOJ approved firearms list at the bottom of their home page.

https://www.turners.com

Good luck

We also have one on our page too at the very top of this page

http://justice.doj.ca.gov/safeguns/safeguns.asp

[ohsmily]

Let me preface this that I have done about 25 out of state transfers for various guns. BUT, if a guns value is about 500 or less, the cost of shipping and transfer fees will often only save you between 10-50 bucks compared to buying it locally.
When you buy locally, you get to see the gun first (even new guns have variation in quality that you can inspect ahead of time in the store AND you know it hasn't been misused or mishandled. Also, things can get lost in the mail and you have to wait for something to be shipped, and send some emails and make some calls in order to get it your FFL (worrying about whether the license was put in the mail or faxed, etc). Also, you support the local store when you buy from them.

When the price of a gun goes past 500, it starts to be more likely that you save more than 50 bucks by doing the transfer with wholesalers online. This might make it worthwhile for the extra trouble and other drawbacks to do it online.

Just remember that the price you see online isn't the price you pay, don't forget shipping and transfer fees and the potential headache of completing the transaction (getting money orders, arranging the FFL license to be sent, etc). But, also when you buy locally you have to factor in tax.

But again, it is often worth doing it online (I have transferred over 25 guns from out of state to here).

Good luck.

[loyalpatriot]

thank you all for the totally positive responses, this forum is a great resource! I will totally update you all when i do finally make my first purchase. i have like a few shotguns, and rifles at the moment but i think a handgun will be a great edition to my collection. also, city arms? isnt that dimitry ? where abouts in pacifica? i would love to check out his shop!

[Old Fud]

Ask and ye shall receive

http://www.city-arms.com/MAIN_PAGES/INFO.html

That gives you everything you need to get to City Arms.

I recommend your first purchase experience should be through a local dealer like these people --- not an on-line purchase. You'll find it much simpler, you will SEE what you are getting while you dicker over it, you will know you can have it, and there will be no hidden costs.

Welcome to the world of shooters and owners.
You'll like it here.
Fud.

[rips31]

city arms is a great place to get your hsc. as for selection, check out city arms, high bridge arms, and tabors. those are the closest gun shops to sf.