DROS electronic returns/how far back do they go

[CBR_rider]

We get the question on here from time to time of how far back do the electronic files go in the California AFS (which is where firearm serial numbers get run by LEO's). Just thought I would post my new oldest record I have found... was doing research on a case and came across a DROS on a revolver from 1949. My previous oldest was the mid 1960's. I guess DOJ is getting around to processing all the old paperwork.

[d33pt]

Not sure what you mean. You bought a revolver in 1949, or the revolver was made in 1949?

[Quiet]

We get the question on here from time to time of how far back do the electronic files go in the California AFS (which is where firearm serial numbers get run by LEO's). Just thought I would post my new oldest record I have found... was doing research on a case and came across a DROS on a revolver from 1949. My previous oldest was the mid 1960's. I guess DOJ is getting around to processing all the old paperwork.

CLETS-AFS is a "historical" database and information is never removed, just updated.

This is one of the reasons why CA DOJ is still inputting paper firearm registration records that go back to 1924.
^Last I heard, they were currently doing records from the 1960s.

[Librarian]

He means the DROS info from a 1949 purchase is now available in AFS.

DROS paper has gone from CA gun dealers to DOJ since 1924; but since 1991 substantially all gun sales have been required to go through a CA-licensed FFL. Prior to that, Person-to-person transfer, no FFL needed, was legal.

Electronic DROS became required 1997.

CA-DOJ has had folks going through old boxes of DROS paper and entering the data into AFS, most recent to oldest.

[CBR_rider]

I probably could have been a bit more clear in my original post; yes, Quiet and Librarian are absolutely correct. I had previously run into some DROS data from the 60's and 70's but until this particular search nothing older than that. Wonder if we can get our DROS-fee money back once they input all the old data...

[Dirk Tungsten]

He means the DROS info from a 1949 purchase is now available in AFS.

DROS paper has gone from CA gun dealers to DOJ since 1924; but since 1991 substantially all gun sales have been required to go through a CA-licensed FFL. Prior to that, Person-to-person transfer, no FFL needed, was legal.

Electronic DROS became required 1997.

CA-DOJ has had folks going through old boxes of DROS paper and entering the data into AFS, most recent to oldest.

So does this mean there's a defacto registry of long guns from prior to the 2014 registration requirement?

[Librarian]

So does this mean there's a defacto registry of long guns from prior to the 2014 registration requirement?

No.

Prior to 2014 the paper to the state did not collect make/model/caliber info so it can't be added to AFS.

[Quiet]

Only pre-2014 long guns in the database, are ones that were voluntarily registered.