C&R + COE = Worthless 50% of the time?

[Flyin Brian]

Now that a lot more people are getting their C&R+COE, I'm curious how many of you are running into the same BS I have seen with gun stores who don't know anything about it and refuse to even listen to what it is?

Yesterday I was in Stockton and stopped in a gun shop off March Lane that I have been to a few times before. They had a cheap C&R rifle that I decided to buy. When I mentioned to the clerk that I have a C&R and a COE, his eyes glazed over and he said he didn't know what that means. I just chuckled and said "seriously? You have to have a COE to work in a gun shop, and you don't know what it is?" (I was just informed this is incorrect)

He turned to the manager guy and asked him to talk to me. I explained that I am interested in buying this rifle and I have an FFL+COE so once we start the DROS I should be able to take the rifle with me that day. He said "we don't do any of that C&R stuff here, you DROS it and wait 10 days just like everyone else".

I did end up buying it, but it just pissed me off the rest of the day, knowing that the one little freedom I have is being restricted by their company policy. It seems like a huge waste of time and money now to even have this combination of licenses and certificates if no one seems to understand the law or even allow you to use it.

[dyson]

Tell that to the agency that issued it to you, while you're at it.

[kouye]

I only use it for online out of state purchases as those dealers seem to be a lot more savvy than those behind the lines.

I had an LGS, not only deny the 10 day waiver, but he refused to give me a copy of his FFL for my log book.

[sealocan]

none of the surprise me, although it makes me mad.

I think this is exactly what the state plans for when they take away your rights, like the ability to buy C&R (that we've had for years & has never had any real criminal problems with.) but promise you new rights if you play ball with them and get a COE & C&R license.

I'm afraid they're only two choices lawsuits to make sure the state enforces these low calorie LIGHT Rights that they told you received for playing ball.

also in before the comments that it's his gun store and he can do what he likes, which I agree with, but let's look at the whole big picture here and realized the state is encroaching more and more on your rights and freedoms.

[Gutter]

Typical LGS ignorance. It's becoming all too common that I'm more educated on gun law and policies than LGS managers and business owners... and I'm just some jamoke with Google and a little free time. Last time I went in to do a PPT on a modern handgun, I was able to exempt the HSC and safe handling demo by pulling out my FFL/COE. As soon as I show those to the clerk, he goes "Wow, you must work for the DoJ or something. How did you get this?"
Shows you what we're dealing with.

[TRAP55]

You would think ( I know, it involves the concept of common sense) that to survive in Calif running a firearms business, you would stay up on the laws that would increase sales?
Brain, I would casually mention that to them when you pick it up. And BTW...what kind of Marlin was it?

[Justintoxicated]

Now that a lot more people are getting their C&R+COE, I'm curious how many of you are running into the same BS I have seen with gun stores who don't know anything about it and refuse to even listen to what it is?

Yesterday I was in Stockton and stopped in a gun shop off March Lane that I have been to a few times before. They had a cheap C&R rifle that I decided to buy. When I mentioned to the clerk that I have a C&R and a COE, his eyes glazed over and he said he didn't know what that means. I just chuckled and said "seriously? You have to have a COE to work in a gun shop, and you don't know what it is?"

He turned to the manager guy and asked him to talk to me. I explained that I am interested in buying this rifle and I have an FFL+COE so once we start the DROS I should be able to take the rifle with me that day. He said "we don't do any of that C&R stuff here, you DROS it and wait 10 days just like everyone else".

I did end up buying it, but it just pissed me off the rest of the day, knowing that the one little freedom I have is being restricted by their company policy. It seems like a huge waste of time and money now to even have this combination of licenses and certificates if no one seems to understand the law or even allow you to use it.

hey, welcome to the show.

The correct response was "Thank you good bye".

But I hear you. The only real reason to get one is for a few stores or opportunities you might run across. And that you can get some discounts from some stores. If it wasn't for the discounts I probably would just drop it. I'm starting to think it exists just so the gun grabbers can justify their BS policies.

[sealocan]

"I'm starting to think it exists just so the gun grabbers can justify their BS policies"

- Quoted for truth!


quoted for truth!

[knucklehead0202]

Sadly, it pretty much IS useless here, except for getting the stuff shipped directly to you, which of course still require you to self-register, and pay a tax(fee, surcharge, whatever they want to call the bend-over charge), which pretty much negates the whole point of this license. One of the main reasons I started collecting old rifles was the instant gratification of picking one out and taking it home that very day, without a bunch of friggin' paperwork. Sure I went through the hassle when Big 5 had cheap stuff, but mostly I just went to the gun shows and bought rifles, sometimes more than 1, knowing that not only had I gotten a good deal, not paid for shipping, and not had to register it in any way. I'm not a criminal, nor have I ever been, but whenever I can avoid telling big brother about something I have, I relish the opportunity. There is essentially no way of doing that now, no matter what license or certificate you hold, and I'd be damned if I'd pay anyone for this crap that continually erodes our freedom. Not worth it.

[ke6guj]

Yesterday I was in Stockton and stopped in a gun shop off March Lane that I have been to a few times before. They had a cheap C&R rifle that I decided to buy. When I mentioned to the clerk that I have a C&R and a COE, his eyes glazed over and he said he didn't know what that means. I just chuckled and said "seriously? You have to have a COE to work in a gun shop, and you don't know what it is?".

just to let you know, it is not a CA legal requirement that you have a COE to work at a gunshop.

[Flyin Brian]

I only use it for online out of state purchases as those dealers seem to be a lot more savvy than those behind the lines.

I had an LGS, not only deny the 10 day waiver, but he refused to give me a copy of his FFL for my log book.

I've had that happen too. The reason they gave was even more frustrating! They said it was because I wasn't 'using' my license when I did the transaction, so I didn't need to put it in my book. I tried to explain that I don't 'use' my license, I AM LICENSED, so I have to log all C&Rs that I acquire or dispose of. I got the usual look of indifference and confusion.

[Hardwarejunkie]

I had my C&R '03 FFL back in the 90's and ran into the same thing. Some places got downright hostile like I was trying to scam them or something.
I kinda expected it from Big 5 but was really surprised by the same attitude from almost every local shop.
You are standing there with your license, bound book and copy of the regs and they practically put their fingers in their ears and go "la la la la la".
At the same time I placed orders with ease from Century, Samco, CDNN and others while getting discounts at Midway and Brownells.
Very disappointing to hear that in the "information age" this still goes on, although you know there is always going to be that one shop.
Better luck next time!

[Flyin Brian]

You would think ( I know, it involves the concept of common sense) that to survive in Calif running a firearms business, you would stay up on the laws that would increase sales?
Brain, I would casually mention that to them when you pick it up. And BTW...what kind of Marlin was it?

I'm embarrassed to say what it was. I will only admit that it was chambered in 7.62X54r

hey, welcome to the show.

The correct response was "Thank you good bye".

But I hear you. The only real reason to get one is for a few stores or opportunities you might run across. And that you can get some discounts from some stores. If it wasn't for the discounts I probably would just drop it. I'm starting to think it exists just so the gun grabbers can justify their BS policies.

I seriously considered walking, but it was priced low and I don't really mind having to come back, it's not like I am not over there pretty often. It's just the principle of having an exemption and not being able to use it, all because someone is too lazy to learn about it.

just to let you know, it is not a CA legal requirement that you have a COE to work at a gunshop.

OK, my mistake. I thought in the COE paperwork it mentioned something about having to have it to work in a gun store. Thanks for the correction.

[ke6guj]

I've had that happen too. The reason they gave was even more frustrating! They said it was because I wasn't 'using' my license when I did the transaction, so I didn't need to put it in my book. I tried to explain that I don't 'use' my license, I AM LICENSED, so I have to log all C&Rs that I acquire or dispose of. I got the usual look of indifference and confusion.

what I do in that case is just go home and log in my book anyways and enter in the name, address and FFL# (that I get from the ATF FFL list). you don't need to have a copy of the FFL.

OK, my mistake. I thought in the COE paperwork it mentioned something about having to have it to work in a gun store. Thanks for the correction.

its optional, and some/many dealers require any employees to have an "employee COE" so that the dealer can cover his ***. basically, it is your regular COE "registered" to the dealer. if you COE gets pulled for some reason, the dealer is notified that you were being a bad person and has the opportunity to fire you and not find out 6 months later that he had a prohibited person working for him. But it is not required by CA law that all employees be COE'd.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Forget about using it at overpriced retail gun shops where they are too lazy or too stupid to bother accomodating you. Just use it online and save money and frustration.