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So I walk into my local Big5 to pick up a Mosin M44, did a quick check, said I'll take it, hand the salesman my CDL and he says I can't buy the rifle. I ask him why and he said something along the lines of your address isn't acceptable, WTF? A little backdrop, I have two addresses, one is my original (parent's) address in LA which is on my CDL, but I currently live in San Diego because I go to school here. When I bought my first gun, they said it was no problem at all and they just put the address of my apartment down here in San Diego, so I figured that the guy who said I couldn't buy the M44 is in the wrong, what do you guys think, and if the salesman was right, what would I go about doing to make myself eligible to buy the rifle.
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Big 5 makes up their own crap as proof of residency is not a requirement for a long gun.
Here is a response I received when asking the DOJ about this issue (handguns) which Big 5 is trying to make you comply with. If you want maybe you can show up there with this printout and have them call her.
Mr. X:
When purchasing a handgun in California the purchaser must provide proof of Identity (ID) via a California DMV Driver's License or DMV Identification card. If that ID has a PO Box , the dealer swips the ID and then asks the purchaser what his/her physical address is. Then manually delets the PO Box from the DROS & re-enters the phsyical address on the DROS. The Proof of Residency document (ie. the utility bill) must match the name & address on the DROS.
If you need additional assistance contact me at (916) 263-4884. The phone number you provided was not correct.
Kathy Quinn, Field Representative
Bureau of FirearmsLast edited by The SoCal Gunner; 07-11-2008, 4:36 PM. -
What school do you go to in SD? - I have an identical situation because my parents live up in the bay area and I live in SD (go to USD).
The address on your license has to be your "current" address and what you put on the DROS forms. Since I spend about 50% of my time in SD and 50% up here I never changed my address on my CDL (any reason you did)? That way all my DROS forms have stated my norcal address and not my SD address
ETA: a handgun is different because it needs a proof of residency. In which case I would need a bill or something with my norcal address. However with long arms your CDL license has to match whats on the DROS. I havent had anyone ask down in san diego and have bought 10+ rifles.
Your biggest mistake is going to Big 5. Skip their crap and go to discount gun mart right by the 5/8 connector, which unfortunately for my bank account is right by my house.Last edited by PolishMike; 07-11-2008, 4:35 PM.Artist formally known as CEO of Tracy Rifle and PistolComment
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So basically I was pretty much right on the big WTF moment...goddammit.
I go to UCSD, and I didn't change my address to my address down in San Diego. So you were able to buy a rifle down here in San Diego, using your Norcal address with no problems? Yes I admit that going to Big 5 for a gun was stupid, even I thought so, but I called Discount Gun mart and they didn't have any M44's in stock, Big 5 had them and were closer, so I figured why not.
Anyone else have any advice on what I should lambaste the salesman with besides calling the Bureau rep, or would that be the easiest and guaranteed way to go about things?Comment
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all you need to do is write your current address on the back of your CDL, do that on the DMV website as well and make a printout of it. Take it back to them and tell em to F off and sell you the rifle.Comment
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Just go again and hope to get someone else. Its none of their business why you have a address thats not in socal. Don't mention anything about addresses. If they get nosey and ask, a simple "that is my permanent address" should suffice.
Just because your address isnt in the vicinity is no reason for them to not accept it
PS - PM me if you ever want to get together and shoot. I'll be back there at the end of august.Artist formally known as CEO of Tracy Rifle and PistolComment
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Don't go to Big 5 unless it's the last place on the planet that sells firearms. Even then, buying off the black market might be a more pleasant experience.
I saw a Mosin Nagant on July 6 at Turners off Clairmont when I picked up a Henry Lever Action 22 and the tan digicamo Ruger 10/22 they had on special. Not sure if it was an M44 - I don't know anything about Mosins. I was told it was a Mosin when I asked "What's that rifle with the bayonet attached?"
Some people frown upon hearing "Turner's Outdoorsman", but it's better than Big 5!The question is not "How far?". The question is "Do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed?". - Il Duce/Prisoner#6570534 from Boondock Saints
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When I got my first gun, thats what the salesman did, I still have my "current" San Diego address written on the back of my license. Where on the DMV site can you do what you're suggesting I do, I can't seem to find it.
asgalindez: I would have gone to Turner's instead, but their M44 prices were significantly more expensive (Mosin pricing wise) than Big 5.Comment
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dmv website change of address form....
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hey juicymeat, nice to see yet another ucsd student on the forums. I remember the first rifle I got was an m44 from big5 too but luckily I didn't have any problems.. don't let this one experience turn you away from big5 though, they are a great source of cheap milsurps till you get your C&R license.
by the way, what year are you?Comment
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Fourth year Mechanical Engineering. Screw Big 5, I'll find another way to get the rifle.Comment
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Go to Discount Gun Mart............they are great there. Good People......"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory...."Comment
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Straight from the DMV FAQ.
"Will DMV send me a new driver license, identification card, or registration card?
No. New documents are not issued when you change your address."
By The way, my current address does not match the address printed on my DL and I've never had a problem DROSing several firearms since I moved.
Check this thread out:
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Just buy a fishing license from the big 5...they will count that as proof of your address
(they tried doing that to me when I wanted to get an 870 there...)
Please note that others have used this screen name on non-gun related sites, and I am not related to them in any way.Comment
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