My experience with Palmetto State Armory

[realmswalker]

Just wanted to share my experience with Palmetto State Armory I recently had.

I saw a post for a gun they had for sale for a nice price, a 22 LR Beretta, and with the $100 rebate Beretta had going, it was a hell of a deal.

I contacted PSA and asked them If I sent my LE credentials, would they ship to an FFL here in CA. They said yes but would also need a letter from my agency stating it was for duty use. So I asked if there was someone I could talk to and they gave me an e-mail, so I sent this.

Hello,

This email is in regard to a previous email I sent about purchasing a beretta twenty two from your company with a fifteen round magazine.

I received a response from you saying that I would need to send you my law enforcement credentials along with a letter from my department stating it was for duty use.

I don't know if the pistol i'm trying to purchase is off roster but I wanted to send you my law enforcement credentials because that is what would be needed to ship it with the fifteen round magazines.

I've purchased many firearms from dealer's out-of-state and all they require to ship an item that is either restricted or off Roster is my law enforcement credentials showing that I am exempt from the roster And
I'm allowed to purchase and own magazines that have a higher capacity than ten rounds.

The pistol is a 22L.R. And is for personal use and would not even be allowed to be used as a duty weapon.

If this is a policy that is specific to your company then I understand and will try and purchase the weapon elsewhere.

But I am hoping you will work with me and allow me to purchase the weapon with my law enforcement credentials Which is all that is legally needed to purchase either an off roster pistol or one that ships with higher than ten round magazines.

Thank you,

And this is the response I received.

Yes, we would require a copy of your LEO ID and a letter from your department head if the mag or firearm being ordered is noncompliant for your state. If the firearm is compliant but not the mag, then we would remove the mag from the order before it ships to your dealer if we are not able to get the required documents.

So, that is that. The particular firearm I wanted is off the roster. My agency would never write a letter, so I am out of luck. I have purchased a few guns from out of state from other companies with just my ID, and never had an issue or a request for a letter.

I personally will never be buying from PSA ever again. If any of my fellow LEOs want to purchase an off-roster firearm from PSA whether for personal or duty use, and cannot get an agency letter, you are S.O.L.

I also sent a PM to Palmetto State Armory who have their own vender forum on here, linking them to this thread. Let's see how or if they even respond.

Just an FYI.

[OneNcustdy]

Don't know where you are but I have had a great working relationship with ASP armory in Vacaville.

[mossy]

They seriously want a duty use letter for a .22? If they are going to do all this extra sh** just say no LEO exemption sales. Thanks for the heads up, definitely won't be buying from them.

[SDDAVE56]

Might have to order through an FFL.

[M1NM]

PSA is surely aware that some LEOs had a resale market going on for off roster guns. They also probably know that SOME agencies prohibit their personnel from purchasing off roster guns without prior permission. Their attorneys have probably told them to get a department letter for all direct sales to LEOS as a CYA move.
Maybe your Chief will give you a letter that your department doesn't have any restrictions on personnel buying off roster guns and high capacity mags for personal use.

[realmswalker]

Our Chiefs never have and never will write a letter for something like that. Our department just does not do that.

[Quiet]

PSA is surely aware that some LEOs had a resale market going on for off roster guns. They also probably know that SOME agencies prohibit their personnel from purchasing off roster guns without prior permission. Their attorneys have probably told them to get a department letter for all direct sales to LEOS as a CYA move.
Maybe your Chief will give you a letter that your department doesn't have any restrictions on personnel buying off roster guns and high capacity mags for personal use.

AFAIK...

CA passed new laws effective 07-01-2023, that allows the CA AG or any CA city/county attorney to file a civil suit against an out-of-state firearm industry vendor that transfers a firearm to a CA vendor that sells it without ensuring it will not be utilized in criminal activity.

This subjects out-of-state FFLs to being sued for supplying off-Roster handguns to a CA FFL dealer that sells them to an exempt person, who ends up reselling them as an unlicensed firearms dealer.

Requesting a LE agency letter authorizing the acquisition of the off-Roster handgun complies with these new laws because it is ensures that the firearm industry vendor is making sure it is not being resold by a LEO who is operating as an unlicensed firearms dealer.
^It could be their lawyers made them change to meet this CYA against a lawsuit from CA.