How would they know?

[Instajc556]

Now you guys see why im asking this? Makes no ****en sense

So you think lying to a police officer is your best move there? IF you're caught with an unregistered AW, you're instantly a felon. If you don't know what being a felon entails, I suggest you research it a bit. Be prepared to face the consequences. There will come a day when it might be worth it (confiscation), but I don't think that now is that time.

jeasus ****en christ dude who the **** said i was going to lie to a cop you obviously didnt read my question i am asking a hypothetical question to see how this law is being enforced

[Instajc556]

Well, yeah you do have a special permit so to speak. You get a letter from DOJ saying the specific firearms(s) are registered as AWs. As of now, you are not required to carry it around with you or your AW, but many do. I would imagine the legislators will fix that minor oversight soon.

The police can also check the computer database to see if you have anything registered to you. If there is nothing in your name in the database, but you have one in your hand, guess what?

Pretty sure there is no special database that LEO can just magically check if that was the case they would have known who owned the AR15s used in san bernadino shooting immidiately which they didnt it took like a whole day.

[Instajc556]

well, initially I meant people that were illegally using hi cap mags, or people with non-compliant weapons (whether intentional or accidental). But it would be interesting to know about wrongful arrests as well.


I think the OP's question is a good one. I think it important to know 1) what's legal, 2) what's illegal, but also 3) How are the laws enforced and what's proper/improper procedure. Which is how I'm interpreting his original question.

i.e. During a traffic stop, most of us know its not only our right to refuse a search, but its also improper for a police officer to search w/o cause and w/o permission.

BUT, at a range, I have no idea what's proper or improper in regards to an officer coming up to me and asking to inspect my weapon or if I need to show proof of X, Y or Z.
[EDIT]..got it, don't have to show proof, but tell that to an overzelous cop at a public range....



I'm also not considering the outliers.....like someone turns you in for some reason, your buddy has a big mouth, etc, that's just bad luck or not the kind of arrest info I'm interested in....I'd be very interested to know how, in general, the current gun laws (mostly the magazine and AW restrictions) are being enforced if people who are not complaint (Again, either on purpose or they just don't know) are being regularly found (how?) and charged (outcome?).


Anecdotally I'd say they're not....can't remember ever hearing about some guy that randomly got busted for not having a bullet button or was using his Dad's old 30 round magazine. Even JohnnyLightning's first example...the cop didn't even inspect the guns. (but I'm not on here super regularly or hang out all day at ranges, so maybe I'm just not in that loop)

[EDIT] Just read Blade Gunner's anecdotal incident above, but that would fall under 'wrongful' arrest (sounds like).

Finally some one who gets it

[MarikinaMan]

There is no requirement to retain "proof" of registration on your person or with the firearm.

The officer can make contact with you and ASK you if it's registered as an assault weapon.
If you were to answer no, that would definitely give him probably cause to run the serial number himself.

Most reports from people with RAW's who had contact with law enforcement and law enforcement asked if it was registered and the owner answered affirmatively did not even result in law enforcement running the numbers.
The reality is that if you are not doing anything to draw law enforcement attention, you would probably not ever even be checked.

Even still, having a printed copy of your registration letter makes most people feel even safer.

True. To add, in the off chance that a LEO encounter results in asking if an AW is registered, and the answer was yes, when in fact it is not, then add making a false statement to the police amongst the charges. If the LEO is with the CHP, and the question is asked as part of a stop...

California Vehicle Code 31 is a misdemeanor and if convicted you can face:

Fines up to $1,000
Up to 6-months in county jail

[dustoff31]

Pretty sure there is no special database that LEO can just magically check if that was the case they would have known who owned the AR15s used in san bernadino shooting immidiately which they didnt it took like a whole day.

Yes, there is. It called AFS. The Automated Firearms System. Not all long guns are in the database for one reason or another.

But in the scenario you posted, that is you are standing there in possession of an AW, and nothing of that description comes back as being registered to you, guess where you and your AW are going.

[Junkie]

Pretty sure there is no special database that LEO can just magically check if that was the case they would have known who owned the AR15s used in san bernadino shooting immidiately which they didnt it took like a whole day.

AFS only includes long guns purchased since 1/1/14 and then handguns back to the early 90s. If the guns you speak of were purchased before that, it's a PITA for them to find who bought them.

[Axxlrod]

What about those who chose to use a "mag lock" type device on their AW?

Same scenario. While at the range, LEO asks you if that AR15 with evil features you're holding is registered. You say No, because it has a maglock.

What if the LEO doesn't know what a maglock is? Or just because you told him it's not registered, he goes ape****?

For those using a mag lock, you're just supposed to hope and pray that every LEO knows what it is and negates the requirement for it to be registered?

[ARDude]

AFS only includes long guns purchased since 1/1/14 and then handguns back to the early 90s. If the guns you speak of were purchased before that, it's a PITA for them to find who bought them.

AFS also includes ALL firearms that are RAW's, even if they were purchased in the 1960's.

So, if a cop were to run your name in AFS, and no RAW's are listed. And you have one.....jail time.

[Oceanbob]

A reminder that most cops are not on the hunt to arrest law abiding gun owners.

I own 11 Registered Assault Weapons and if I am at the range shooting my AR 15 with 30 round mags and no bullet button cops from OCSD a few lanes down are polite and never ask me anything. Some showed interest in my MAC 11, .380 and I let them shoot It. Never been asked any questions. Same with Uzi, MAC 90, HK 91.....

Now I've heard that some BLM Ranger types are more aggressive and are on the hunt for gun law violators.......

Another reason to carry your AW letter.

Personally I wouldn't risk an arrest over a simple paperwork requirement or just owning a featureless rifle. Nothing is required on those.

In fact if you owned an AR up to end of year 2013 it's not registered at all with CDOJ. Convert it to featureless and it's perfectly legal to remove that bullet button and drop mags with your finger.

Bob

[ARDude]

What about those who chose to use a "mag lock" type device on their AW?

Same scenario. While at the range, LEO asks you if that AR15 with evil features you're holding is registered. You say No, because it has a maglock.

What if the LEO doesn't know what a maglock is? Or just because you told him it's not registered, he goes ape****?

For those using a mag lock, you're just supposed to hope and pray that every LEO knows what it is and negates the requirement for it to be registered?

We went thru these same questions when the BB first came out.

I am sure if the new maglock is an acceptable form of equipment to use, it will be fine. I doubt CA DOJ will make a determination on that, just as they didn't with the BB. Time will tell.

[jcwatchdog]

I'm interested to see what kind of "public service announcement" the doj will provide, if any, or if hey will just let the uninformed that have rifles with bullet buttons keep thinking they already have a legal non AW... They did provide a tv ad last time, but who knows this time. A few flyers at gun stores or a post on the Internet won't count for much for people who don't go to gun stores often.

[ARDude]

A reminder that most cops are not on the hunt to arrest law abiding gun owners.

I own 11 Registered Assault Weapons and if I am at the range shooting my AR 15 with 30 round mags and no bullet button cops from OCSD a few lanes down are polite and never ask me anything. Some showed interest in my MAC 11, .380 and I let them shoot It. Never been asked any questions. Same with Uzi, MAC 90, HK 91.....

Now I've heard that some BLM Ranger types are more aggressive and are on the hunt for gun law violators.......

Another reason to carry your AW letter.

Personally I wouldn't risk an arrest over a simple paperwork requirement or just owning a featureless rifle. Nothing is required on those.

In fact if you owned an AR up to end of year 2013 it's not registered at all with CDOJ. Convert it to featureless and it's perfectly legal to remove that bullet button and drop mags with your finger.

Bob

You are correct. Most leo's are not out looking for gun violations. The patrolman makes most of his firearm related arrests as an add on to another arrest.

But, some units within some agencies DO make their majority of arrests involving firearms. Sometimes explicitly investigating firearm violations.

Some of these arrests are folks that either didn't care or were unaware of AW regulations.

[God Bless America]

Good grief the DOJ and LEO don't give a crap about law abiding citizens there are plenty of criminals to occupy their time.

Most of our sh!+-for-brains legislatards, on the other hand, do want to cause us law-abiding gun owners grief.

[AceGirlsHusband]

Just a random thought since we dont know exactly what next year holds i just want to know what you guys think. So everyone is talking about registering your AR/AK's for the purpose of having a normal mag release, and others are saying f*ck registration just go featureless. So ive been thinking about how they would exactly know if i dont register it and i leave the "evil" features on it and have a regulaf mag release? I know if anything ever happened and they looked into the gun i would be f*cked but say im at the range and a cop sees my gun i can just say its registered and he would have no way of knowing right? Or you guys think this is still in the gray area and have to wait till the laws take effect?

If this unlikely scenario actually unfolded, he merely needs a radio and your serial number and name.

[P5Ret]

Ive heard from LEO that they have no way of checking registration on firearms, that they have to contact doj and its not a speedy process which idk how belivable that is but makes sense since it did take a while for them to determine who the ar15s used in san bernadino shooting belonged to

Someone lied to you. It takes all of 30 seconds to run a AFS check. All it takes is make and serial #, and I'll bet it comes back, if it has been registered as a RAW or not.