Selling firearms in CA

[koobs84]

Am I missing something??

Its been awhile since I purchased/sold any firearms. Im looking to sell some firearms but seem to have hit a fork in the road. I've noticed many FFLs don't accept firearm transfers from private parties unless both parties are there to do the transfer. Did something change or is this just the FFLs decision??

I've purchased several handguns and rifles in the past from private parties out of state and had them transferred to my local FFL. All they ever required was a photocopy of the other parties driver's license.

Just looking for some guidance. Thanks

[Librarian]

Am I missing something??

Its been awhile since I purchased/sold any firearms. Im looking to sell some firearms but seem to have hit a fork in the road. I've noticed many FFLs don't accept firearm transfers from private parties unless both parties are there to do the transfer. Did something change or is this just the FFLs decision??

I've purchased several handguns and rifles in the past from private parties out of state and had them transferred to my local FFL. All they ever required was a photocopy of the other parties driver's license.

Just looking for some guidance. Thanks

That's principally a business decision by the FFL; they don't like to be stuck with bad documentation for their bound books, so in-person lets them pursue what they need.

[joepamjohn]

You may consider consignment of your guns at an FFL, that way you would not need to be present. You can pre-negotiate a “net” price and be done with it.

[edgerly779]

^^ Sure give up 25-40% of the value of your firearms. Its just money.

[SkyHawk]

Most FFLs accept transfers. Maybe you have stumbled upon a cluster of the few who don't.

Find a better FFL.

[colt11]

There's a generation of young Californians that recently woke up and tried buying firearms for the first time and realized they live in Kalifornia, not the the United States. This has resulted in a buying frenzy, couple with Covid-19 concerns and possible marshal law. Some County Health Departments have elected to close gun shops, such as Ventura County. The remaining gun shops that were allowed to stay open seem to be in two camps. Some are still handling sales and private party transfers, which for them are quite literally a pain in the *** for a very small amount of money. The allowable rate set by CA DOJ is $10 over the $37.10 DROS Fee, so $47.10 Total. Many FFL's charge extra above this. The other camp of gun shops has elected to focus on gun sales, and have left their former customer quite literally out in the cold, and are not doing transfers at this time. Eventually, they will resume with transfers, but for now some don't want to provide that service.

[koobs84]

Thanks guys. I may have found an ffl from the next town over. All the ones here in my town practically freak out on the phone when I tell them what I’m trying to do. Like I’m breaking the law but I know I’m not cuz I’ve done it before. The shop I use to use is no longer in business

The buyer I had backed out now cuz too much back n forth with finding the right gun store. I prefer sending the firearm to a shop myself but most in Cali want the transfer done from ffl to ffl. Hate this state. DOJ has everyone scared

[M1NM]

FFL accepting a firearm from a private party is entirely up to them. Shipping or dropping off a firearm at an FFL for transfer takes it out of the PPT system CA has set up which limits cost. If you are not there the FFL must log it into his bound book. The FFL can charge whatever he wants for receiving a firearm to transfer ($25-150 is norm). If I'm correct when the FFL does the DROS he also has to charge sales tax if it's not a PPT.

[code_blue]

It also could be that the firearms are no longer on the roster of approved pistols, so they can't accept it as an FFL transfer unless the transaction fits the exempt category.

[koobs84]

It also could be that the firearms are no longer on the roster of approved pistols, so they can't accept it as an FFL transfer unless the transaction fits the exempt category.

These were bolt action rifles. But that's good to know cuz I have a few handguns that are off roster that I may be selling. Thanks for the heads up.

[Endless]

Am I missing something??

Its been awhile since I purchased/sold any firearms. Im looking to sell some firearms but seem to have hit a fork in the road. I've noticed many FFLs don't accept firearm transfers from private parties unless both parties are there to do the transfer. Did something change or is this just the FFLs decision??

I've purchased several handguns and rifles in the past from private parties out of state and had them transferred to my local FFL. All they ever required was a photocopy of the other parties driver's license.

Just looking for some guidance. Thanks

Really?

When I sold a firearm to California from Maine we had to wait a few days for a CDOJ approval number before I could even ship it. I just couldn't ship ffl to ffl. That was 2013 on an exact sale. Still the same in 2019-2020. I saw the form and number my Maine FFL was given.

My ID was never faxed anywhere. Never even asked.

[Librarian]

Really?

When I sold a firearm to California from Maine we had to wait a few days for a CDOJ approval number before I could even ship it. I just couldn't ship ffl to ffl. That was 2013 on an exact sale. Still the same in 2019-2020. I saw the form and number my Maine FFL was given.

My ID was never faxed anywhere. Never even asked.

The approval number is only FFL to FFL; whatever info the CA FFL needed came through the Maine FFL paperwork.

[joepamjohn]

^^ Sure give up 25-40% of the value of your firearms. Its just money.

The op was looking for possible suggestions on selling some guns. I was offering an alternative option so he would not need to deal with PPT hassles.

As I said, try and pre-negotiate a net price first. If it doesn’t pencil out then don’t do it. Advantages are more buyer exposure and no ppt issues. Depending on what is being sold the “net” return could fluctuate.

[tabascoz28]

You found a place that will do PPT transfers?

[koobs84]

There was a gun shop out of Madera that I emailed and explained what I was doing. They said they can help with the transfer. I was going to contact them today and actually talk over the phone to explain so there was no confusion. Although I think my email was pretty clear. Anyways the other party bailed so not going to bother the shop till I have a buyer.

I love it when a shop just allows ppt instead of going through an ffl. But it’s always been the out of state shops that allow it.