C&R Shipping

[rjk]

I'm a relatively new C&R/COE holder and find this site very helpful; thanks to all. I understand pretty well what one can and can't do with the licenses and certificates. Here's an aspect I researching and would appreciate any perspective. I understand that if I go out of state, say AZ or NV, I can buy a C&R handgun, return to CA, and file a form (with $). The question is if I purchase a C&R handgun out of state, can I legally ship to myself in CA? I travel frequently for business and would like to shop in other states, but avoid the hassle / hurdles of trying to a handgun back on a commercial airline.

[rabagley]

It's actually very easy to transport guns by airline. Have a key lockable flat box that you feel safe checking or fits into your checked luggage. The lock should not be a TSA openable lock.

When you get your boarding pass, state, "I have an unloaded firearm to declare." Pop open the case to show the airline employee the unloaded gun (this is easiest if you disassembled the gun before putting it in the case). Sign the little affadavit that the gun is unlocked, lock up the case, keep the key available.

Complete your flight.

Be at the luggage conveyor and collect your bag.

[rjk]

Thanks, I have transported firearms on planes in the manner you described. However, when with others from the company or with customers, checking guns isn't always an option. I also don't carry a suitable locking case with me. I am still interested to know if anyone knows the rules on an FFL03 shipping a C&R pistol to themselves in CA from out of state.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

It is legal under both Federal and California law.

The only requirement under California law is that you register any C&R handguns that you take possession of while outside of California and "transport" back into California.

If CalDOJ considers shipping them back home to be "transporting" them, then you are good to go. If CalDOJ does not consider shipping them back home to be "transporting" them, then you would still be good to go and you would not have to register them.

So by shipping them back home you are either fully complying or over complying with California law after you register them within five days of the handguns arriving in California.

12072(f)(3) Where a person who is licensed as a collector pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, whose licensed premises are within this state, acquires a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person that is a curio or relic, as defined in Section 478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, outside of this state, takes actual possession of that firearm outside of this state pursuant to the provisions of subsection (j) of Section 923 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as amended by Public Law 104-208, and transports that firearm into this state, within five days of that licensed collector transporting that firearm into this state, he or she shall report to the department in a format prescribed by the department his or her acquisition of that firearm.

[rjk]

Thank you, makes sense