Instate Handgun Transaction

[pyro357]

I am looking to buy a blackpowder revolver from a friend of mine but both of us are a little in the dark about the law in this area do we need FFL03's if we are both instate and do we need to fill out a form for the DOJ?

[Flintlock Tom]

To the best of my knowledge there are no legal requirements to transfer a Cap 'n Ball revolver. You can buy them through the mail or on-line and have them shipped directly to your address. Most sellers only require proof of age: >18, and adult signature on delivery.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Yep, cap & ball and muzzle loading handguns are exempt from California's dealer transfer requirements. You only described the revolver as "black powder", so I'll just mention that black powder guns that accept modern style cartridges are only exempt if the gun was manufactured before 1899. If the gun does not accept cartridges then it is exempt no matter when it was made.

For example, a black powder Colt Model 1873 that was manufactured in 1898 can be transfered without an FFL, even though it can fire modern cartridges. But a modern replica Colt Model 1873 has to be transfered through an FFL, even if it is only rated for black powder cartridge loads.

A Colt Model 1860 can be transfered without an FFL no matter when it was made because it can't use metallic cartridges.

[pyro357]

Thanks for the info