Technical FFL03/COE Question

[Fat Old Guy]

If I get and FFL03/COE, do I still need to pay the $1.00 background check fee when I buy ammo at a store like Turners or Big 5?

[Quiet]

If I get and FFL03/COE, do I still need to pay the $1.00 background check fee when I buy ammo at a store like Turners or Big 5?

Yes.
When acquiring ammo from a CA licensed ammunition vendor or CA FFL dealer, a person with a valid C&R 03-FFL and valid COE still needs to go through COE verification and pay a $1 fee. [PC 30370(a)(2) and 11 CCR 4305]



Penal Code 30370
(a) Commencing July 1, 2019, the department shall electronically approve the purchase or transfer of ammunition through a vendor, as defined in Section 16151, except as otherwise specified. This approval shall occur at the time of purchase or transfer, prior to the purchaser or transferee taking possession of the ammunition. Pursuant to the authorization specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 30352, the following persons are authorized to purchase ammunition:
(2) A purchaser or transferee who has a current certificate of eligibility issued by the department pursuant to Section 26710.
(c) The department shall develop a procedure in which a person who is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing ammunition may be approved for a single ammunition transaction or purchase. The department shall recover the cost of processing and regulatory and enforcement activities related to this section by charging the ammunition transaction or purchase applicant a fee not to exceed the fee charged for the department’s Dealers’ Record of Sale (DROS) process, as described in Section 28225 and not to exceed the department’s reasonable costs.
(d) A vendor is prohibited from providing a purchaser or transferee ammunition without department approval. If a vendor cannot electronically verify a person’s eligibility to purchase or possess ammunition via an Internet connection, the department shall provide a telephone line to verify eligibility. This option is available to ammunition vendors who can demonstrate legitimate geographical and telecommunications limitations in submitting the information electronically and who are approved by the department to use the telephone line verification.
(e) The department shall recover the reasonable cost of regulatory and enforcement activities related to this article by charging ammunition purchasers and transferees a per transaction fee not to exceed one dollar ($1), provided, however, that the fee may be increased at a rate not to exceed any increases in the California Consumer Price Index as compiled and reported by the Department of Industrial Relations, not to exceed the reasonable regulatory and enforcement costs.
(f) A fund to be known as the “Ammunition Safety and Enforcement Special Fund” is hereby created within the State Treasury. All fees received pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Ammunition Safety and Enforcement Special Fund and, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are continuously appropriated for purposes of implementing, operating, and enforcing the ammunition authorization program provided for in this section and Section 30352 and for repaying the start-up loan provided for in Section 30371.
(g) The Department of Justice is authorized to adopt regulations to implement this section.

California Code of Regulations Title 11 Divison 5 Chapter 11 Article 4 Section 4305
(a) A purchaser or transferee is authorized to purchase ammunition if they hold a current Certificate of Eligibility, subsequent to verification by the Department.
(1) A purchaser or transferee may request, through an ammunition vendor, that the Department conduct a COE Verification to determine if the purchaser or transferee qualifies for this authorization.
(b) As authorized by Penal Code section 30370, subdivision (e), the fee for COE Verification is $1.00.
(c) The ammunition vendor shall collect the ammunition purchaser's or transferee's name, date of birth, current address, and driver's license or other government identification number in the manner described in Penal Code section 28180, telephone number, and COE number, and enter the information into the DES website.
(d) Upon the Department's completion of the COE Verification, the Department shall update the purchaser's or transferee's DES record to instruct the ammunition vendor to approve or reject the ammunition purchase or transfer.

[Robert1234]

Yes.
When acquiring ammo from a CA licensed ammunition vendor or CA FFL dealer, a person with a valid C&R 03-FFL and valid COE still needs to go through COE verification and pay a $1 fee. [PC 30370(a)(2) and 11 CCR 4305]



Penal Code 30370California Code of Regulations Title 11 Divison 5 Chapter 11 Article 4 Section 4305
(a) A purchaser or transferee is authorized to purchase ammunition if they hold a current Certificate of Eligibility, subsequent to verification by the Department.
(1) A purchaser or transferee may request, through an ammunition vendor, that the Department conduct a COE Verification to determine if the purchaser or transferee qualifies for this authorization.
(b) As authorized by Penal Code section 30370, subdivision (e), the fee for COE Verification is $1.00.
(c) The ammunition vendor shall collect the ammunition purchaser's or transferee's name, date of birth, current address, and driver's license or other government identification number in the manner described in Penal Code section 28180, telephone number, and COE number, and enter the information into the DES website.
(d) Upon the Department's completion of the COE Verification, the Department shall update the purchaser's or transferee's DES record to instruct the ammunition vendor to approve or reject the ammunition purchase or transfer.

Not if you get it shipped to you. Save yourself a buck and shop by internet.

[BrassCase]

Not if you get it shipped to you. Save yourself a buck and shop by internet.

Which in California, is about the only reason to have both.

The state neutered us 03's a few years ago.

[Robert1234]

Which in California, is about the only reason to have both.

The state neutered us 03's a few years ago.

Well you can still buy long duns without a dealer, and avoid the 10 day wait on C&R pistols, but yeah, I get what you're saying.

[BrassCase]

Well you can still buy long duns without a dealer, and avoid the 10 day wait on C&R pistols, but yeah, I get what you're saying.

If I understand state law now, If I buy a C&R gun from out of state and have it shipped to me, instead it must now go to a 01 and clear with a 10 day wait. But, I can still go out of state and use my 03 to take immediate possession of a C&R gun and bring back to CA, then all I have to do is report it CA. I haven't bought one in several years so I could be mistaken but that was my last understanding of the law in CA only.

[Quiet]

If I understand state law now, If I buy a C&R gun from out of state and have it shipped to me, instead it must now go to a 01 and clear with a 10 day wait. But, I can still go out of state and use my 03 to take immediate possession of a C&R gun and bring back to CA, then all I have to do is report it CA. I haven't bought one in several years so I could be mistaken but that was my last understanding of the law in CA only.

Currently what's allowed...

Exemptions for a CA resident with a valid C&R 03-FFL:
1. Importing a C&R firearm that they physically acquire while outside of CA without needing to utilize a CA FFL dealer. [PC 27585(b)(1) & 27565]

Exemptions for a CA resident with a valid C&R 03-FFL and valid COE:
1. No 10 day waiting period when acquiring a C&R firearm from a CA FFL dealer. [PC 27670]
2. No 1 in 30 day wait on firearms. [PC 27535(b)(9)]
3. Can be used as proof of CA residency. [PC 26845(b) & 11 CCR 4045 d.1.]
4. When acquiring C&R firearms, it is an exemption to needing a valid Firearm Safety Certificate. [PC 31700(a)(6)]
5. When acquiring C&R firearms, it is an exemption to needing to do a safe handling demonstration. [PC 26850(h) & 26860(g)]
6. Acquiring a C&R long gun inside of CA without needing to utilize a CA FFL dealer. [PC 27966]
7. Acquiring ammunition from a person within CA without needing to utilize a CA DOJ licensed ammunition vendor. [PC 30312(c)(6)]
9. Either online or in person, importing ammunition acquired out-of-state without needing to utilize a CA DOJ licensed ammunition vendor. [PC 30312(c)(6) & 30314(b)(5)]

[Robert1234]

Currently what's allowed...

Exemptions for a CA resident with a valid C&R 03-FFL:
1. Importing a C&R firearm that they physically acquire while outside of CA without needing to utilize a CA FFL dealer. [PC 27585(b)(1) & 27565]

Exemptions for a CA resident with a valid C&R 03-FFL and valid COE:
1. No 10 day waiting period when acquiring a C&R firearm from a CA FFL dealer. [PC 27670]
2. No 1 in 30 day wait on firearms. [PC 27535(b)(9)]
3. Can be used as proof of CA residency. [PC 26845(b) & 11 CCR 4045 d.1.]
4. When acquiring C&R firearms, it is an exemption to needing a valid Firearm Safety Certificate. [PC 31700(a)(6)]
5. When acquiring C&R firearms, it is an exemption to needing to do a safe handling demonstration. [PC 26850(h) & 26860(g)]
6. Acquiring a C&R long gun inside of CA without needing to utilize a CA FFL dealer. [PC 27966]
7. Acquiring ammunition from a person within CA without needing to utilize a CA DOJ licensed ammunition vendor. [PC 30312(c)(6)]
9. Either online or in person, importing ammunition acquired out-of-state without needing to utilize a CA DOJ licensed ammunition vendor. [PC 30312(c)(6) & 30314(b)(5)]

No one in 30 days for any firearms? I was unaware of that. That is reason enough ro get one in my book.

[Quiet]

No one in 30 days for any firearms? I was unaware of that. That is reason enough ro get one in my book.

[Helmut]

No one in 30 days for any firearms? I was unaware of that. That is reason enough ro get one in my book.

Especially since 1 in 30 applies to all guns starting next year. Not just Handguns.

[BrassCase]

Quiet, thank you, your understanding of all of the confusion is always greatly appreciated!

So, acquire a C&R gun from a non FFL (01) (not another 03?) you still have to go through an 01 and wait 10 days inside CA? As long as the 03 takes possession outside CA then nothing changed, just tell the state.

[SkyHawk]

Quiet, thank you, your understanding of all of the confusion is always greatly appreciated!

So, acquire a C&R gun from a non FFL (01) (not another 03?) you still have to go through an 01 and wait 10 days inside CA? As long as the 03 takes possession outside CA then nothing changed, just tell the state.

You can acquire C&R long guns from private parties inside CA without going to a FFL. Just file a form. The seller does not have to be FFL.

You can acquire C&R handguns and long guns while you are physically out of state, from anyone - does not have to be a FFL but can be. File a form when you get back.

And I have never bought ammo in CA with my COE and would not get a COE just to buy ammo in CA. 03+COE is for buying ammo out of state and having it shipped in.

Yes you could use your 03+COE to buy ammo from a private seller in CA but that seller will be qty limited to 500max.

[ar15barrels]

If I get and FFL03/COE, do I still need to pay the $1.00 background check fee when I buy ammo at a store like Turners or Big 5?

No.
You do have to pay a $1 COE verification fee though.