dros vs. nics

[Hugga Nugga]

I have been following this forum for awhile primarily as a cautionary tale for the most part, and to keep up with the legal ramifications of the court cases in places like California. I can't believe what the residents there have to put up with to exercise a Constitutional right!

I am trying to understand the process that takes place to actually purchase and own a firearm in Cal. Does a buyer fill out a NICS (4473?) and then another form for California (DROS?) and then how long after approval does the buyer have to wait?

I used the search function to learn more but was unsuccessful in finding the simple answere. No need for a detailed account, rather a bullet point breakdown. I just like to be educated as to what residents there have to do.

Also, is the buying process more abbreviated if you have CCW?

[Librarian]

I have been following this forum for awhile primarily as a cautionary tale for the most part, and to keep up with the legal ramifications of the court cases in places like California. I can't believe what the residents there have to put up with to exercise a Constitutional right!

I am trying to understand the process that takes place to actually purchase and own a firearm in Cal. Does a buyer fill out a NICS (4473?) and then another form for California (DROS?) and then how long after approval does the buyer have to wait?

I used the search function to learn more but was unsuccessful in finding the simple answere. No need for a detailed account, rather a bullet point breakdown. I just like to be educated as to what residents there have to do.

Also, is the buying process more abbreviated if you have CCW?

Yes - BOTH 4473 and DROS are required.

Can't quite answer the 'wait' question as asked. There is a required 10-day wait from date/time of submitting DROS. Background check occurs sometime in there, so it isn't 'wait after approval'. And, of course, might be longer than 10 days before the approval comes from CA DOJ.

LTC (CCW) does not shorten anything; such a licensee is exempt from the HSC (Handgun Safety Certificate) requirement.

[Hugga Nugga]

Thanks Librarian.

That's too bad about the CCW or LTC. That is truly one of the best parts of having a CCW in my state. You still have to fill out a 4473, but there is no phone call or wait. You would figure if you have had to go through the "examination" for the LTC, you should be go to go on purchases.

[4DSJW]

Librarian, please correct me if I'm wrong. Even though we fill out the 4473 we don't get a NICS background check because CA has chosen not to be a part of that system. The background check is some percentage of applicants being run through the DROS system by the CA DOJ, the 4473 is just a dealer record.

[Librarian]

Librarian, please correct me if I'm wrong. Even though we fill out the 4473 we don't get a NICS background check because CA has chosen not to be a part of that system. The background check is some percentage of applicants being run through the DROS system by the CA DOJ, the 4473 is just a dealer record.

I don't actually know what CA DOJ does for a background check; 4473 isn't a request for NICS; I believe a dealer out in the United States makes a phone call for that, but being a CA resident I've never experienced such.

[JDay]

Isn't NICS required by federal law? CA does the DROS in addition to the NICS as far as I know. It's just their way of extorting money out of us.

[Twiki357]

I believe that it varies by state. In most states the FFL makes the call to the FBI, but in some states the call is made to a state office for the approval. I don’t know if these state offices actually make a call to the FBI or if there is an online process or no out of state check. This is over and above the additional hoops that a few individual states like CA & IL make a buyer jump through.

Here in Arizona, there is no NICS run on anyone with a CCW other than for the CCW renewals. An FFL merely records the CCW number on the 4473 in place of the FBI authorization verification number and delivers the gun.

This is my understanding from my own experience and conversations with gun owners in other states so take it for what it’s worth. Feel free to correct me if my understanding is incorrect.