What constitutes "documentation"?

[n8vrmind]

What about the millions of legally owned firearms in CA that don't have DROS paperwork? That includes ALL long guns transferred prior to 2014, all firearms legally imported into CA, all firearms purchased PPT prior to 1991, all firearms transferred via intrafamilial transfer prior to 1998(?), etc.



I suggest knowing and understand what you're talking about prior to talking about it.

Chill out Bro... read OP's initial post to understand the context of my comment about keeping copies of your DROS.

[CSACANNONEER]

Chill out Bro... read OP's initial post to understand the context of my comment about keeping copies of your DROS.

I read the post and still don't understand why you think that DROS forms cover all legally owned firearms in CA or even why you think all DROS forms contain make, model and SN of the firearm? Sure, today's DROS forms have that info but, according to your post, you think all DROS forms do. Obviously, that's not the case nor is it the case that all legally owned firearms in CA even go through a DROS.

[n8vrmind]

I read the post and still don't understand why you think that DROS forms cover all legally owned firearms in CA or even why you think all DROS forms contain make, model and SN of the firearm? Sure, today's DROS forms have that info but, according to your post, you think all DROS forms do. Obviously, that's not the case nor is it the case that all legally owned firearms in CA even go through a DROS.

OP's initial post didn't mention 100 year old heirlooms and his CG account was created in 2021. So a reasonable person could presume OP was referring to recently purchased firearms. I'll just leave it at that.

[L84CABO]

Pictures and/or video may be helpful. Especially if you need to file an insurance claim.

[ar15barrels]

What about the millions of legally owned firearms in CA that don't have DROS paperwork? That includes ALL long guns transferred prior to 2014, all firearms legally imported into CA, all firearms purchased PPT prior to 1991, all firearms transferred via intrafamilial transfer prior to 1998(?), etc.

I suggest knowing and understand what you're talking about prior to talking about it.

Indeed.
Knowing what you are talking about is important.

This page covers the guns you are talking about:

LER Application Submission Process
Individuals seeking the return of a firearm, ammunition and/or ammunition feeding device that is in the custody or control of a court or law enforcement agency must submit a LER Application along with the appropriate fees to the Department. Additionally, if an individual is seeking the return of a long gun purchased prior to January 1, 2014 which has not been subsequently recorded in their name by either a self reporting application, or registered as an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle, should submit a Firearms Ownership Report application (BOF 4542A), pdf , along with the appropriate fees.

[CSACANNONEER]

OP's initial post didn't mention 100 year old heirlooms and his CG account was created in 2021. So a reasonable person could presume OP was referring to recently purchased firearms. I'll just leave it at that.

So, a reasonable person could believe that the OP recently found CGN and has owned firearms for decades before he/she joined CGN. However, we all know what happens when one ASSuMEs something, right? I'll just leave it at that.

Indeed.
Knowing what you are talking about is important.

This page covers the guns you are talking about:

Absolutely, of course, that isn't required until one fills out a LEGR so, there's no reason to do it prior to it being needed.

[ar15barrels]

Absolutely, of course, that isn't required until one fills out a LEGR so, there's no reason to do it prior to it being needed.

Some people might be really bad at keeping records and would feel better having the state keep track of the make/model/serial for them should the gun ever be stolen.
I am not one of those people.

[IVC]

..., is this self generated list sufficient to get the pieces back?

No, it is not.

This is technically the correct answer to the part "...to get the pieces back," but it's a bit of too literal interpretation of the question.

When a firearm is "missing/stolen/confiscated" (and this is very broad set of scenarios) there are two separate issues. First, and more difficult one is about locating the firearm and connecting it to the owner. In case of "missing/stolen" this is the crux of the problem, while in case of "confiscated" it's known where the firearms is. Second issue is about getting it back in possession, which can be as simple as "finding the lost firearm," in which case there is no paperwork of any kind, or as complicated as having to battle the agency currently in possession of the firearm.

With home collections, the primary concern is firearms being stolen (we can call them "lost" if we are not sure how they got "misplaced"). With stolen firearms, the main problem is finding them. LE agencies have a stack of firearms that need to be "processed" at any time, some will go for destruction and some will be eligible to be returned, but can end up destroyed for various legal or personal reasons. The trick is to get the firearm to this pile that is being processed AND being notified that the firearm is in the pile so that you can follow the (bureaucratic) legal process to get it back.

We don't control how firearms are recovered by the LE agencies, but we can make sure that we DO get notified when they are found. This is where the question in the OP is relevant - what documentation should we have so that we can make sure the missing firearm is connected back to us, the rightful owner. Having extra paperwork to receive it back, or having copies of DROS paperwork do nothing to help with either recovery of the firearm by the agency, or agency's ability to find us. That extra paperwork becomes relevant only AFTER we are linked to the firearm and we are cleared to take possession back.

So, I'd still say that anyone with firearms should have a list of firearm descriptors (make, model, caliber, S/N, modifications, optional photos, etc.) that can be used for insurance claims or reporting stolen or missing firearm. The extra legal paperwork for returning firearms from the LE agencies is akin to having empty request forms in the drawer - not quite necessary as it can be sorted out when the firearm is recovered.

[Librarian]

So, I'd still say that anyone with firearms should have a list of firearm descriptors (make, model, caliber, S/N, modifications, optional photos, etc.) that can be used for insurance claims or reporting stolen or missing firearm. The extra legal paperwork for returning firearms from the LE agencies is akin to having empty request forms in the drawer - not quite necessary as it can be sorted out when the firearm is recovered.

I agree. I have that kind of documentation for mine.

I just try to answer the questions asked, with as little interpretation as possible.

[mk2dave]

I'm fascinated by the conversation at hand, so thank you all for participating. Clearly, I hope this info is unnecessary but you never know.

What prompted my home inventory is the whole Katrina confiscation fiasco. If I don't have a master list, then I dont have a ghost of a chance to get anything back. I didnt' mean to leave so vague, but I also dont' know what will have to be overcome.

In the meantime, I have completed and mailed the Automated Firearm System request, which coincidentally is not automated! Wet signature and a notary are required as is a copy of your ID. Why a notary and a copy of the ID though unclear, as it seems to be redundant.

Just a short 6 months, and I'll be able to take the next step.

[mk2dave]

CA DOJ never ceases to amaze! Received today, dated 7/26, was my AFS Records Request. Two months doesn't seem all that bad.

Hypothetically speaking, if a caliber is entered incorrectly, anyone know the corrective action for this?

[ar15barrels]

CA DOJ never ceases to amaze! Received today, dated 7/26, was my AFS Records Request. Two months doesn't seem all that bad.

Hypothetically speaking, if a caliber is entered incorrectly, anyone know the corrective action for this?

First, it?s not really an issue if the caliber is wrong.
It would take a new transfer of the firearm to make a new entry in your AFS with the correct caliber.
Easiest way to make that entry is usually a vol-reg or a pawn return.

The old incorrect entry will remain in the AFS just like all the other guns you have sold.