The utility bill rule.

[concept]

I went to go buy a Kimber 1911 today at my local shooting range & dealer today, and I brought a utility bill that was under my parents name. The person that was handling my D.R.O.S said that I couldn't use that bill (if your wondering why, I am a college student still living with my parents). I purchased a XD9 at Turners a few months ago with the same utility bill and they let me go through with the D.R.O.S with no problems, but this shop wouldn't let me because the utility bill wasn't under my name. So basically, I'm curious (I am fairly new to firearms, please excuse my inexperience to purchasing firearms), if I had no utility bill whatsoever under my name, how would I go buying them? The store told me that I would have to get my parents to write a letter saying I live at the residence I have on my license, and get it notarized. Was it this store that was just being very cautious or are all gunshops like that?

[Maddog5150]

actually on that one turners did a booboo and you will probobly be getting a call from them later to fix it. Chalk it up to kalifornia for this one but the range is right, your parents bill isnt going to work and try to think of it from their perspective. Someone is trying to buy a gun and they are trying to use something without their name on it as the second proof. Last name doesnt mean anything since alot of people have the same last name. Hell the other day I had to get a marraige lisence to supplement this ladies lisence because of a recent change of name. Called DOJ and they were all for it. This is the easiest way my shop does this. You pay rent to your parents right? Have them type out a rental agreement and make it look formal. Dont have it a written letter, just have a layout where it has your landlords (parents) and tennent (you) and the rental agreement with dates and pay. That itself doesnt have to be notorized because its basically the same thing you would get if you were to get an apartment.
Good luck and I know its a crappy law. Customer last week was doing the "what if" game with me. What is I dont pay any utility bills, live with my girlfriend, dont have a vehicle registration in my name and dont pay rent and she doesnt want to get anything notorized. My response was that he just wont be able to purchase a firearm then.

[chris]

if i recall the registration on your car is another form of proof of residence. i believe i used it when i bought my .44 . it is a state issued document and more than likely it has your name on it. correct?

i don't buy many rifles and handguns it may be years in between so i forget.

[asintado]

+1 on maddog5150's suggestion. I too am a college student and I live in a home where I pay rent but have no utilities attached to my name. I had my room mate (also landlord) drum up a lease agreement. You can find free lease agreements on the internet, just google it. Also you need to show a fixed lease term (x month to x month). It can't be a month to month contract. Don't be weary about doing this either. It's perfectly legal and an actual FFL suggested this to me, I've purchased 4 handguns with my lease agreement with no hassles from the FFL or the DOJ.

[catsupsam]

Another easy fix is to change the customer name on your parents' Edison bill.
Have one of your parents call Edison to CHANGE the customer name to yours.
The billing and payment stub info will still be under your parents' name, but the top part of the statement will have YOUR name on it.
It works for Turner's.

[eckerph]

Ive used my vehicle registration to buy a shotgun at big 5 last year.

[sigguy552]

You had to provide a bill for a shotgun? I never check proof of residency for long guns. I'm a dealer in CA and CA DOJ has never informed me that I need to check. This is the rule I go by from DOJ, utility bill within 3 months your name and addy matching DROS, vehicle registration, property deed, or rent contract agreement. I consider a handwritten paper with two signatures(parent child), price, and the terms(1/1/00-12/31/00 a lease.

http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/dlrfaqs.htm#33G

[ohsmily]

You only need proof of residence for handguns.

Lease agreements, do not need to be notarized.

If you just get your parents to sign something saying that you live there for free, it needs to be notarized.

Just draft a lease agreement with your parents, sign it, have them sign it, and you are good to go.

[glockk9mm]

Car registration works just fine. Thats all i use on my purchases. (assuming the car is under your name)

[concept]

Thank you for all the info. I know I have some utility bill under my name, if I cannot find that, I will look into the lease agreement.

:edit:

I found a bill under my name, it is my city water/rubbish bill. I was wondering if this bill would work when I go pick up my gun after the 10 day wait.

[Maddog5150]

it should work as long as its not over 90 days old. sorry I thought I mentioned the vehicle registration.

[xenophobe]

I found a bill under my name, it is my city water/rubbish bill. I was wondering if this bill would work when I go pick up my gun after the 10 day wait.

That will work just fine.

[concept]

it should work as long as its not over 90 days old. sorry I thought I mentioned the vehicle registration.

My parents bought the car under their name, and not mine. I'm waiting for the pinkslip so I can transfer ownership to me. Thanks for the info, just everything is under my parents name. =/

[Maddog5150]

When I first turned 21 I had vehicles in my name but I was always riding with my dad when I bought a gun. Luckily I was a junior and his reg didnt say sr
Just do the rental agreement and you should be fine.

[Blue]

Will a C&R license work?