Question about FSC

[borka]

Hi, sorry if this is the wrong section to post in, but I'm looking to get my first gun (shot many different guns but never owned one, now looking for an sks of my own) and it'll probably be from a private party. I've searched a lot online and can't find info about how long the FSC takes. Will I need to take the test at the time of purchasing and I'll receive the FSC card immediately after passing? Or should I take the test now and have it ready for when I find a deal? I don't want to waste the seller's time if they have to wait for me to complete the test, so thought I'd make sure.

[BennyAdeline]

Just show up 30 minutes early and take it. Took me less than two minutes to complete. You get the card immediately.

[Buknoy1738]

the FSC card is really easy to obtain. the questions are just about if you know how to safely handle a firearm. if you do not pass it you should not own a gun however there are a couple of questions about transfer and legal that you really need to think about. once you pass the test it is immediately printed out. if you want to buy a gun, you need to bring a cali id, a residence card, and a utility bill (car registration is fine). you can not buy a gun and take it home the same day. there is a 10 day waiting period.

[SkyHawk]

Another tip: buying your first gun from a private party carries special risks. If you do not pass the background check, which can happen for any number of reasons, your private seller will have to waste time coming back to the store again (another round trip), more waiting around, maybe paperwork, etc. all before the seller decides how much money to give you back.

That is going to make the seller very unhappy if it is a long trip. And the seller doesn't have to come back or refund you at all.

So don't do anything like make the seller meet you halfway, say between Redding and San Diego. Do the transfer *as close as possible* to the seller. And whatever you do, don't buy it in a shipping deal where you never meet the seller. That should only be done when you know beyond a doubt you can pass background checks in CA.

I usually suggest people do not make their first firearms transaction from a private seller. CA has too many reasons to hold up a background check, and involving another party is bad news. You want to know you will pass background before buying from a private party, and unfortunately the only sure way to do that is by getting approved for gun purchases, preferably more than one.

You also want to make sure that the FFL you transfer at will release the firearm if your status comes back undetermined. If your background check goes into delay status, then comes back undetermined after 30 days, the FFL has the option to release the firearm to you or not. Some will, many will not.

[SkyHawk]

if you want to buy a gun, you need to bring a cali id, a residence card, and a utility bill (car registration is fine). you can not buy a gun and take it home the same day. there is a 10 day waiting period.

OP is buying a SKS, so no residence card, vehicle registration, or utility bill is required. Just a drivers license with a current address. The other stuff is for handgun purchases.

[borka]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm 100% sure I will pass the background check. Is there a good reason why it might be delayed or come back undetermined? I've never been arrested, never owed payments, no unpaid parking tickets, no unpaid vehicle registrations, no points on my license, nothing at all my entire life, totally clean.

Also even though it's not required I'm just curious what did you mean by residence card?

[Divernhunter]

All of that is good unless the state screws up with mixing your name/data with someone else, like with the same name. Just remember you are dealing with the state of Ca and their desire to make things as difficult as possible and just plain incompetence.

That is not to say you will have trouble but others who are like you have had trouble and had to jump thru hoops and over roadblocks to clear their name. It does not happen often but it does happen.

Myself I have never had any trouble. I have an 03FFL and CCW so maybe that helps.

[Souske]

Dealers do sometimes run out of FSC forms. I would say do it in advance, one less thing to think about on transaction day.

[boopiejones]

There is a study guide online for the fsc. The vast majority of the questions are common sense (or should be) but there are a few that may trip you up if you aren't very familiar with firearms laws. A 20 minute scan of the study guide and you're golden.

I have a common name. One time when picking up a firearm, the store told me that 7 pages of felons came up in my background check. Even then, it did not come back delayed or undetermined.

[Pofoo]

Dealers do sometimes run out of FSC forms. I would say do it in advance, one less thing to think about on transaction day.

[/Quote]There is a study guide online for the fsc. The vast majority of the questions are common sense (or should be) but there are a few that may trip you up if you aren't very familiar with firearms laws. A 20 minute scan of the study guide and you're golden. [/Quote]

Good advise from these two guys.
I don't see a problem with ptp sale for a first timer. Be sure to verify the transaction price, store hours, etc. Good shops will help you out. Some shops prefer the whole sale to be made inside so as not to be showing guns on the street or parking lot. Ask them.

[Dee_Dub]

I have yet to met a person who's failed it. A dude I work with told me he was at BP waiting in line to take the FSC. The guy at the counter ends up failing. So the employee at the gun counter tells him " sorry bro but you have to wait a year before you can take it again." My coworker was shocked and sorta puzzled. He later found out the guy had only gotten two right... Its safe to say that guy should probably wait a year.

[boopiejones]

How do you get only two right? I could throw darts at the answers while blindfolded and drunk and do better than that every time.

Maybe he was cheating but had the answers to another version of the test?

[borka]

Ended up finding a good deal at a nice local shop today, got a perfect 100% score on the test. It's all common sense, I can't see how someone could fail that badly. Can't wait to get my first gun in 10 days! Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[FalconLair]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm 100% sure I will pass the background check. Is there a good reason why it might be delayed or come back undetermined? I've never been arrested, never owed payments, no unpaid parking tickets, no unpaid vehicle registrations, no points on my license, nothing at all my entire life, totally clean.

Also even though it's not required I'm just curious what did you mean by residence card?

people with no criminal backgrounds have been delayed from purchasing

usually it's a person with the same name or similar - it doesn't always have to do with your background for the delay

hell, people who have purchased in the past have suddenly had delays, so it can happen - the good reason for delays you're asking about is usually the DOJ having the inability to know one person from another

it happens

[bronco75a]

When you purchase a gun and don't have the FSC the local gun shop will administer it to you on the spot. Costs $25 if memory serves me. And yes check out the study guide online and take the practice multiple choice test.

Background check from what you say about yourself should be no problem. Since this is California with the 10 day waiting period, show up after the wait and pick-up your weapon. If you don't hear from the local gun shop during the 10 day waiting period than you're good to go and passed the background check. I've never had any problems. Just make sure you fill out the 4473 paperwork correctly - have the local gun shop employee look over it to ensure you did - if you inadvertently checked a block by mistake that might cause you to fail (because you misinterpreted a question) they should be able to notice it.