Catch 22?

[ancora]

Have not purchased a gun in 30 years. In order to enter the system to avoid the $17.00 fee to purchase ammo, I have to buy a gun. In order to buy a gun, I need an FSC?

[4DSJW]

Sounds about right. At least you can (still) purchase ammo that doesn't HAVE to match the firearm.

[ar15barrels]

Have not purchased a gun in 30 years.
In order to enter the system to avoid the $17.00 fee to purchase ammo, I have to buy a gun.
In order to buy a gun, I need an FSC?

It depends on if you can fall into one of the exemptions.
For example, if you have a current hunting license and you purchase a long gun, you do not need an FSC:

31700(c) A person, 18 years of age or older, validly identified, who has been issued a valid hunting license that is unexpired is exempt from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615, except as to handguns.

[Batman]

Either get an FSC card and buy the lowest price AR stripped lower you can find to register yourself in the system, or else get an FFL for Curio and Relics and have the ammo shipped to your house. By the time all is said and done, you may actually be ahead with the latter!

[pacrat]

Have not purchased a gun in 30 years. In order to enter the system to avoid the $17.00 fee to purchase ammo, I have to buy a gun. In order to buy a gun, I need an FSC?

Not really. You can utilize the "CFARS" website and register a gun you already own. IIRC, it costs $19 for the fee. And all done online.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=600010291&q=Why+do+I+need+a+Cfars+account%3F&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKvZb6qOuDAxUgJUQIHWveCHEQzmd6BAg-EAY&biw=1242&bih=586&dpr=1.1

[opticsauthority]

It's not necessary to buy a gun to avoid the $17 ammo fee in California.
While an FSC is required to purchase a firearm, there are other ways to enter the system without buying a gun. You can inquire with licensed firearms dealers about alternative options to avoid the fee.

[divingin]

Pacrat has it. Assuming you own a firearm, VolReg it (voluntary registration) for whatever they charge (I thought it was $19; I might be wrong.) That creates the CFARS record that will allow you to do the $1 background check (and not wait a week or two for the full check.)

[TKM]

Either get an FSC card and buy the lowest price AR stripped lower you can find to register yourself in the system, or else get an FFL for Curio and Relics and have the ammo shipped to your house. By the time all is said and done, you may actually be ahead with the latter!

COE as well, about $100 buy in.