Firearms records

[Can't buy anything here]

A friend of mine bought a handgun over 25 years ago in Cali through a gunshop...he was curious if there would still be a record of it with the state...are they kept that longi?

[USN CHIEF]

That would be a negative.. Record keeping did not start that long ago... I am not sure of when the records keeping on hand guns started though...

[Can't buy anything here]

thanks chief...if anyone does know when they started, I'd be curious.

[USN CHIEF]

thanks chief...if anyone does know when they started, I'd be curious.

Your best bet to get better info on laws, go to the 2nd ammendment forum here on Cal Guns.. That's where most of the Subject Matter Experts hang out "SME's".

[G17GUY]

for some reason I want to say 1998 but I am not sure.

[Quiet]

If you want to know what firearms CA DOJ knows you have fill out this form and mail it to CA DOJ.

[Patriot]

If you want to know what firearms CA DOJ knows you have fill out this form and mail it to CA DOJ.

You mean what guns they'll admit to knowing you have

[leelaw]

for some reason I want to say 1998 but I am not sure.

01/01/1991 is when handgun registration/DROS began.

If you bought a gun before then, the only record is with the FFL. I believe they can destroy their records after 20 years, so it is possible that there is no direct line between this firearm and your friend.

Why is he concerned about it?

[Can't buy anything here]

No reason, it just came up when we started talking about a few guns he bought way back at B&B in the valley, which is no longer there.

[M. Sage]

In my recollection, records are to be kept FOREVER by the FFL. When the FFL shuts down (loses the license), the records are shipped back to the BATF for storage, again FOREVER.

I'm pretty sure Leelaw is right on this one.

[Quiet]

Not sure how long a FFL dealer has to retain records for.


But, when a FFL dealer closes up shop (ie. quits and gives up FFL), the dealer has 30 days to send their records to the BATFE. Failure to do so results in a federal felony ($250,000 fine and/or 5 years in prison).

Records = the licensee's bound acquisition/disposition (A/D) records, ATF Forms 4473, ATF Forms 3310.4 (Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers), ATF Forms 3310.11 (Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report), records of importation (ATF Forms 6 and 6A), and law enforcement certification letters.

[18 U. S. C. 923(g)(4), 22 CFR 478.57, 27 CFR 478.127]

[Stormfeather]

ok, so which one is it?