Gun Transfer question

[theonlyjohnson]

Hello all, My situation is as follows: I live here in LA and my mother lives in Maryland. Recently my step-father passed away and willed his firearms to my mother. She would like to give me one of his handguns. It is a Colt .45 MK IV Series 70. Now from what I understand, I can legally possess it here, however I don't know how to get it here. I talked to a firearms dealer, and they said that because the gun is not on the list of handguns that they can sell they are not allowed to execute the transfer (receiving from a dealer on my mothers end). Does anyone know of a legal way for my mother to move a gun all the way across the country without going through a dealer? I have contacted the CA DOJ and a few lawyers who deal with firearm laws, and so far none of them have contacted me back. Any help or guidance will be appreciated.

[Tripper]

Your mom sends to an FFL here, if your FFL says no, he's wrong, it's an intrafamilial transfer and exempt from the list, find another FFL

Have a note from mom saying it is given to you (my son)

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Only a small percentage of California dealers know about off-Roster handgun gifts from out of state family members. There is a thread around here somewhere that has a list of dealers who know how to process them. Like Tripper says, a "gift letter" from your mother should be included with the handgun once you find an FFL willing to do the transfer.

--- EDIT ---

Here's the thread where bwiese was trying to get a list of FFLs together...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=245735

You can look through that thread to find a dealer local to you.

[rgs1975]

.

[CSACANNONEER]

Unfortunately, there are not many (or any?) decent FFLs around LA City. Either go to one of the better shops in Orange County or, if you are closer, try calling Tim at Fort Courage in Simi Valley and asking him if he knows about intrafamilial transfers. If he doesn't he will come here and learn. He will not let you down.

[CHS]

1.) Your mother ships the gun directly to a receiving FFL near you who is familiar with intra-family roster-exempt gifts. She does not have to utilize the services of an FFL on her end. She will need to use UPS or FEDEX overnight. She CANNOT use the USPS as that is a violation of federal law.

2.) Your mother will include a copy of her ID and a letter dated and signed stating that the handgun is indeed a gift from her to you, her son. The letter should state that she is your mother and you are her son and should include the make/model/sn# of the handgun.

3.) You need an HSC. You will go down to the dealer and he will process it as a normal dealer transfer, with the difference being the transfer is roster-exempt.

You'll need to purchase a lock as well.

Make sure you find a dealer who:
A.) Will accept transfers from private individuals (so as to save your mom a bunch of money) and
B.) Is familiar with performing intra-family roster-exempt purchases.

I know for a fact that Riflegear in Fountain Valley has performed quite a few of these and is familiar with the process. Mike @ OC Armory should be familiar with them as well.

[theonlyjohnson]

thank you all, I will make some calls when the weekend is over.

[theonlyjohnson]

I got a call back yesterday from the DOJ confirming that all that was said here is true, still looking for a shop somewhat close to me that will do it. My car is a beast on gas and dont really want to drive all that far, I will let you all know if I find someone out side of those mentioned in the thread posted above by Mssr. Elegante