Purchasing a Used Gun Online

[The Gleam]

Most FFLs I have asked swear this is illegal. They are wrong, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it's a mistake made out of good faith because they just don't know. So it may take a bit to find a local FFL that will deal with it. In the Bay Area I usually use UG Imports, who is very easy to deal with.

Not illegal. They just don't want to deal with the often higher frequency of screw-up problems some Joe Blow average guy in another state is bound to cause, so they rattle off this nonsense. It's not the first time it has been reported that a CA FFL will dictate something is illegal or "you'll go to jail" to avoid doing something they simply don't want to do.

Lots of lack of trust for private parties in other states shipping to CA, where they feel if they are dealing with another FFL in another state that goes through CA's "approved seller" BS, it will be a more hassle-free transit/transaction because they're dealing with "profitionals."

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[SkyHawk]

Most FFLs I have asked swear this is illegal. They are wrong, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it's a mistake made out of good faith because they just don't know.

You could always refer them to this ATF document:

https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/docs/0813-firearms-top-12-qaspdf/download

May I lawfully ship a firearm directly to an out-of-State licensee, or must I have a licensee in my State ship it to him?


Any person may ship firearms directly to a licensee in any State, with no requirement for another licensee to ship the firearm.

[sghart]

There is a lot of misinformation about shipping guns in and out of California and shipping guns in general. That's why this forum is so helpful.

I finally found an FFL locally who knows what they are doing. Before that I was lost. This guy says yes, it is definitely legal to accept a shipment from a private person. Most FFL's don't know or don't want the hassle.

As a side note I was surprised by Guns.com. I wanted to buy a used rifle from them but they denied it. Their policy is no used guns shipped to California. No reason given.

Thanks to every one at Calguns who put out the right info for us. It is greatly appreciated.

[Sig79]

Yes it's legal, 2a zone will accept private shipments with the inclusion of a state driver's license copy from the seller

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[waygeekierthanu]

Sadly yes, that's a thing

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[M1NM]

If you buy from a private party have them include a note that it is an occasional sale between private parties and your FFL may not charge you sales tax.

[hecr33]

So I just got in contact with my my FFL. I asked them if they did in fact accept from private individuals and I was told that whoever I am buying the rifle from will have to ship it out via an FFL, that one can not simply ship the rifle via UPS.

Haven't gotten in contact with the guy I'm purchasing the rifle from yet, since I'd figure I'd come here first.

Does this mean my FFL won't accept it from the private individual? Is there any way they would know if it was shipped by him vs it being shipped from an FFL?

[The Gleam]

So I just got in contact with my my FFL. I asked them if they did in fact accept from private individuals and I was told that whoever I am buying the rifle from will have to ship it out via an FFL, that one can not simply ship the rifle via UPS.

Haven't gotten in contact with the guy I'm purchasing the rifle from yet, since I'd figure I'd come here first.

Does this mean my FFL won't accept it from the private individual? Is there any way they would know if it was shipped by him vs it being shipped from an FFL?

You want to risk them seeing it's not, and out of spite or FUD, because they want to tell you it's illegal, they reject it or send it back to the seller?

That would suck for the both of you.

You should just try to find an FFL that will accept it from a non-FFL. They're out there.

As I recall, a copy of the CA approved out-of-state FFL shipping to CA goes in the box/contents with the gun - at least that I had to have them do with a CA FFL I used not too long ago. CA FFL advised they "had" to have that.

If your seller is forced to try to find an FFL who will agree to submitting through the California DOJ's 'approved seller' online form, he may have a tough time.

Sure, it's easy, a one page form, no big deal but a lot of FFLs outside of CA want nothing to do with CA, and when they hear they have to complete this form online, being an exception to the rule for most any other state, they often say - screw that!

Lots of hate already for CA by out-of-state FFLs, the form just makes them that much more skeptical and frustrated with CA - which is exactly what the special 'approval' form was designed to do.

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[Rukus]

Also, be aware that because this isn’t considered a PPT, your local FFL can charge you whatever they want for the transfer fee. So ask about that beforehand so there’s no surprises.

[SkyHawk]

Does this mean my FFL won't accept it from the private individual? Is there any way they would know if it was shipped by him vs it being shipped from an FFL?

Your FFL said they wont accept it. Yes they will know if a FFL ships it. Don't try and game them or this will go very bad.

Try finding another FFL to deal with, that one sucks. It's one thing for them to tell you they will not accept it, there is nothing wrong with that. But it is another thing to tell you it can't be done. That tells me they don't know what they are doing.

[Librarian]

Your FFL said they wont accept it. Yes they will know if a FFL ships it. Don't try and game them or this will go very bad.

Try finding another FFL to deal with, that one sucks. It's one thing for them to tell you they will not accept it, there is nothing wrong with that. But it is another thing to tell you it can't be done. That tells me they don't know what they are doing.

Or, they prefer to mislead rather than accept responsibility - "It's illegal" vs "It's our policy". It does prevent many arguments...

[hecr33]

Your FFL said they wont accept it. Yes they will know if a FFL ships it. Don't try and game them or this will go very bad.

Try finding another FFL to deal with, that one sucks. It's one thing for them to tell you they will not accept it, there is nothing wrong with that. But it is another thing to tell you it can't be done. That tells me they don't know what they are doing.

Decided to go with 2A Zone since they commented here. If everything goes as planned, I'll have the seller ship the rifle to 2A Zone, then have them ship it out to my local FFL since I don't really want to make the long drive down there.

[ar15barrels]

So a private party doesn't have to register with CA DOJ and get a letter declaring that they intend to ship a firearm in to California?
That seems to always be the problem when I buy from Gunbroker.

Covered here on the FAQ:

https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/cflcfaqs#2

Send that to potential sellers so they can see what the state actually has to say.