Why do half the online sellers refuse to ship to CA?

[jblane]

I've been shopping online for a pistol and noticed that a bunch of the sellers refuse to ship to California, even for items that are legal here (they won't ship ANY guns here). Since many of them will this can't be because it's illegal, so I'm wondering why so many won't. Seems bad for business--why limit your market? I can't tell you how many times I've found exactly what I'm looking for at a great price, only to scan the description and see the words "No CA sales." I even found a seller IN California who won't ship TO California! What gives?

In any case, I'm glad I found the private sales forum here. Lot's of great deals there, I'm sure I'll find what I'm looking for soon.

[Rekrab]

Two reasons.

1. California has complicated laws that shops don't want to bother with when they can do just fine outside of CA.

2. Californians sometimes don't do the proper research and end up ordering things they can't have and cost the shops money.

[jblane]

Thanks, that explains it. However, I still don't get the guy who won't sell in his own state.

[devildog101]

Thanks, that explains it. However, I still don't get the guy who won't sell in his own state.

Probably just overly cautious.

[bobfried]

Two reasons.

1. California has complicated laws that shops don't want to bother with when they can do just fine outside of CA.

2. Californians sometimes don't do the proper research and end up ordering things they can't have and cost the shops money.

On the flip side of that:

1. Some people assume CA laws are more complicated and constricting and think we can't even own guns in CA. There are a smack load of guns in CA and this market is HUGE.

2. Most seller won't even post a simple thread asking if they can sell to CA and simply does not. They end up costing people like ME money because they cancel orders that are completely legal and legitimate.

It is the same on both side though, mis-education. California gun buyers are often ignorant of the laws in their own state and out of state sellers are often too callous to care what is legal or not legal.

[audihenry]

On the flip side of that:

1. Some people assume CA laws are more complicated and constricting and think we can't even own guns in CA. There are a smack load of guns in CA and this market is HUGE.

2. Most seller won't even post a simple thread asking if they can sell to CA and simply does not. They end up costing people like ME money because they cancel orders that are completely legal and legitimate.

It is the same on both side though, mis-education. California gun buyers are often ignorant of the laws in their own state and out of state sellers are often too callous to care what is legal or not legal.

Actually, there is one thing most of you are forgetting: CFLC. It's a pain in the *** for most sellers and I honestly don't blame them.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/cflcoverview.php

Of course, this only applies to guns.

For ammo, there are other restrictions (LA City, Oakland, Sac, etc.) and thus too much confusion. For other things (mags, etc.) they are other worries still. And I'm not even talking about parts kits which spook a lot of people, too.

Verdict: we have far too many useless laws that scare potential sellers with the threat of serious crime if they stray from the letter of the law. Thus, they choose (many times wisely) to stay away.

[ke6guj]

Thanks, that explains it. However, I still don't get the guy who won't sell in his own state.

Some CA dealers on gunbroker sell non-rostered handguns that they can't sell to CA residents, so that is sometimes it.

[MudCamper]

Ignorance. Fear. Laziness. Or a combination thereof.

[five.five-six]

Why do half the online sellers refuse to ship to CA?

can't say as i blame them

[johnrunner89]

I don't sweat the companies that won't take our states business, there are alot of other good companies that wil gladly have it. And its always good to support local shops (well at least the good ones ).

[Ross]

Contact Bud's Gunshop. Great prices and they will send to us.

[jblane]

Well it never hurts to ask. I e-mailed a dealer with a good price on what I'm looking for but says no CA sales, asking if he'd consider making an exception, and got the following response:

IF you can find a FFL that will accept the pistol from being mailed by my FFL along with a quick bill of sale with my DL copied on it we can do the deal.--- "No extra paper work."

So the search is on for a "low maintenance" FFL in the SF Bay area. If anyone can recommend one (who charges a reasonable transfer fee) feel free to PM me with their info!

[Fjold]

Ignorance. Fear. Laziness. Or a combination thereof.

Quote for truth.

[NorCalMama]

Ignorance. Fear. Laziness. Or a combination thereof.

Yep!

[audihenry]

Yep!

Hold on now. If you had to spend extra time, energy, and patience on a seller from a particular state, you'd have to be out of your mind to want to actively sell to that state. It's a headache.

You can show all the attitude you want, but at the end of the day you can hardly blame them.