Moving to California

[Alan Block]

Gattling guns are OK too but no >10 magazines.

[FelixP]

Hey, thanks for all of the responses.

Just to be clear, I did grow up in CA, so I'm pretty familiar with the culture/waves/hippies, I was just kidding around. I'm glad at least some of you thought I was funny.

2 questions regarding transport- if I break down my AR, throw it in a (non-locked) backpack of some sort, and ride my bike, is that OK? What about a locked pistol case in a backpack?

[FelixP]

anyone?

[Z ME FLY]

got a ruger lcp, lcr, ak pistol (convert in before you bring it into ca), 1911 frames, xdM.

[FelixP]

Which 1911 frames can I buy/not buy in CA?

[Barney Gumble]

[*]I can bring pretty much any number of any type of handgun into the state, as long as I do not "have intent to distribute" (uh, right, I'm a gun-runner now? how the hell do they prove "intent"?), I do not bring any mags over 10 rounds, and the handguns are not "assault weapons," i.e. very large caliber weapons, pistols with burst fire, "carbine" type weapons (Beretta Storm, etc), pistols with stocks, etc.

I don't know all the handgun stuff too well but there's a separate handgun forum where you'll find lots of experts.

[*]I can bring in an AR-15 type rifle with so-called "evil features" (pistol grip, bayonet lug, flash hider, etc.), PROVIDED it is built off of an "off list lower" (OLL), has a total length of at least 30" in its "shortest configuration" (i.e. stock folded), and has a "Bullet Button" ALREADY INSTALLED

Yes, also barrel has to be >16" unless you have a pistol lower.

[*]That is, I need to order one of these bullet buttons and have it installed before I cross the state line, or I'm a felon?

If it's a semi-automatic centerfire rifle with the ability to accept a detachable magazine and evil features then it needs a bullet button installed before entering the state. The easiest thing would be to install it before you get here. If you want to wait until after you get here you can just keep the upper and lower separated, install the BB after you get here and then put it all back together.

[*]If I remove my "fixed" bullet-button magazine from my AR at the range, I will be a felon?

As long as you are using a bullet button, and you remove the magazine with a tool, you're fine. If you back out the bullet button so that you can remove the magazine without a tool, then you're illegal.

Also as someone else pointed out, when using a bullet button you can't use a magazine that holds >10 rounds.

[*]No restrictions on bringing in my own ammo, provided it's not some ridiculous depleted-uranium type stuff?

No tracers I know for sure. Other than that I don't know.

[*]I can bring in "high capacity" (read: standard capacity) mags with me, as long as they're disassembled, and stay that way as long as I'm in CA?

Yes. You can leave them disassembled, or you can use the parts to make magazines that are permanently limited to 10 rounds.

[*]I may be living near a school. I will be a felon if I own a gun in my own home and do not have the proper safety certificate & registration?

Within your home you're exempt from the whole "within 1000 feet of a school" thing. You can carry concealed, loaded, etc. in your home if you want even if it's right next door to a school. If you go outside with your firearms within 1000' of a school though, say from house to car, I would have them unloaded in a locked case. I don't know of any time that anyone is required produce registration papers for a firearm.

[*]Anyone clear on the law regarding transportation of guns on a motorcycle? I don't have a bike that's designed for hard bags (Honda Hawk GT)...[/LIST]

Nope, sorry.

[asgalindez]

2 questions regarding transport- if I break down my AR, throw it in a (non-locked) backpack of some sort, and ride my bike, is that OK? What about a locked pistol case in a backpack?

Rifles are only required to be unloaded. Plus, if you break it down, it's no longer a rifle. Handguns require locked container. Your handgun in separate locked container, stored in your backpack should be OK.

Check the BS "Safe Handgun List" http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/ and get whatever you want that you can't get in CA. If you end up not liking it, you can PPT it to a Calgunner.

"Intent to Distribute" - If you pop up on DOJ radar for selling a bunch of guns, then you'll probably have "intent to distribute" added to what they're already charging you with. But no alarms will go off the moment you cross the border into Kalifornistan.

But I'm no lawyer...just trying to use my common sense, which I think is also banned in CA.

[tgriffin]

Which 1911 frames can I buy/not buy in CA?

Anything STI...brand new...they do come up every once in awhile used or in like new.

Basically...if you want it...buy it now and bring it in. I would suggest buying several XDm's at the very least and bringing those in. Could easily fetch a several hundred dollars profit on each.

[asgalindez]

Anything STI...brand new...they do come up every once in awhile used or in like new.

Basically...if you want it...buy it now and bring it in. I would suggest buying several XDm's at the very least and bringing those in. Could easily fetch a several hundred dollars profit on each. Never know when you'll need a backup.

Fixed it for you. "The Man" is EVERYWHERE!

Multiple firearms sales for profit w/o FFL = bad juju.

[FelixP]

Thanks for all of the advice. I'm not looking to make a profit, but if I'm going to stock up before I move, I'd be dumb not to buy things that A) I won't be able to get after I move and B) will instantly appreciate in value once I cross the border. Like I said, I'm hardly a gun expert, so what weapons should I take a hard look at? That is, which guns might I really really want to buy in the future that I won't be able to, and which guns have the biggest price premium inside CA?

[FelixP]

I read somewhere that I might be able to import AR pistols when I move? How do these not count as "assault weapons"?

[rabagley]

An assault weapon is defined by one of two methods.

1) Either the lower or whole gun is on "the list".
2) The whole gun is configured in such a way that qualifies it as an AW.

To get around (1), buy an "off list lower". I like Anvil Arms lowers. No premium for pistol lowers and they're good quality all around.

To get around (2), configure your pistol AR with a bullet button before you enter the state and only put 10 round magazines in it.

And with that, you have an AR pistol that is not an "CA-defined Assault Weapon" when you move to California.

[FelixP]

Any reason I couldn't build one of these after I come into the state? I thought AR pistols were illegal to buy or build once I'm a CA resident?

I'm trying to prioritize my spending on things that will either be impossible or ridiculously expensive to obtain once I move...

[rabagley]

In order to build an AR pistol after you're in the state, you have to work around the "not unsafe handgun roster". Which means that unless it's on the list, you have to have it modified to be a single shot when you buy it.

There are dealers who are aware of this and will modify an AR pistol lower by installing the BB and a single-shot sled. I don't know who they are, but if you ask in another thread with the right subject, I'm sure you'll get some pointers. It may cost more (probably a little), but the dealers who are this savvy are also the ones with the best reputation for fair dealing, so...

Now, take your single shot AR pistol lower home, remove the sled, install the 10 round magazine, and build it up however you like your AR pistol (no buttstock, please). It is not illegal to own or modify a single-shot pistol into a normal pistol, the law simply says that the pistol must be configured as a single-shot when it is purchased.

[FelixP]

Can I import a semi-auto AR pistol with a fixed mag, then?