Question for LEO's

[penciljockey]

What are the differences between Civilians and LEO's when purchasing firearms at an FFL dealer aka Gun Stores? Are there waiting periods for police? Are they required to have a Bullet Button on an AR-15 etc? Just curious and whenever I ask friends I always get a different answer.

Thanks!

[IrishJoe3]

I'm LEO. I've waited the full 10 days for all my guns. My AR15 has a bullet button and only uses 10 mags.

[penciljockey]

I'm LEO. I've waited the full 10 days for all my guns. My AR15 has a bullet button and only uses 10 mags.

I find that really odd.

[CalCop]

If the boss signs letters for you...you get to waive the 10 days, and have assault rifles.

[penciljockey]

If the boss signs letters for you...you get to waive the 10 days, and have assault rifles.

You mean non-bullet button AR-15's or Select fire M4's? Just want to be clear.

[CalCop]

You mean non-bullet button AR-15's or Select fire M4's? Just want to be clear.

Select fire M-4s are considered NFA prohibited. CA law outlaws AR-15 without bullet buttons. LEOs are exempt from that CA law, if they have a letter from their chief.

[ls2monaro]

Our full auto stuff is at the station & dept owned. We can buy our own raw - semi auto & no wait period, roster, or magazine restrictions with a dept letter. No dept letter is the same except for having to wait 10 days like everyone else.

Luckily getting letters signed is easy where I work. Usually same day unless it's a weekend or holiday.

[penciljockey]

Nice! Thanks for that. Do you know if it's the same for Deputies, officers who work for the Sheriff's department?

[CalCop]

Our full auto stuff is at the station & dept owned. We can buy our own raw - semi auto & no wait period, roster, or magazine restrictions with a dept letter. No dept letter is the same except for having to wait 10 days like everyone else.

Luckily getting letters signed is easy where I work. Usually same day unless it's a weekend or holiday.

off-roster guns and full capacity mags no longer require a letter...just your ID.


Policy Change Regarding State Exemptions for Authorized Peace Officers
"Effective immediately, peace officers who have legislative authority to carry and use firearms may, without a letter signed by the head of their agency or the agency head's designee, purchase non-rostered handguns and/or large capacity magazines. The peace officer must present a valid peace officer identification card and the dealer must retain a copy of the identification card on file. (PC 12132 & 12133). A letter is still required from the head of the agency to exempt the peace officer from the ten day waiting period. (PC 12078)."

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/exemptpo.php

[CalCop]

Nice! Thanks for that. Do you know if it's the same for Deputies, officers who work for the Sheriff's department?

CA PC Section 30625.
Sections 30600, 30605, and 30610 shall not apply to the sale to, purchase by, importation of, or possession of assault weapons or a .50 BMG rifle by the Department of Justice, police departments, sheriffs' offices, marshals' offices, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, district attorneys' offices, the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Parks and Recreation, or the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States, or any federal law enforcement agency for use in the discharge of their official duties.

CA PC Section 30630.
(a) Sections 30605 and 30610 shall not prohibit the possession or use of assault weapons or a .50 BMG rifle by sworn peace officer members of those agencies specified in Section 30625 for law enforcement purposes, whether on or off duty.

[ls2monaro]

Nice! Thanks for that. Do you know if it's the same for Deputies, officers who work for the Sheriff's department?

Most city police officers and county deputy sheriffs carry the 830.1 peace officer classification. Why do you want to know?

[TRICKSTER]

Basically, if a LEO walks into a gun store, unless they have an official letter fron their department, they are treated just like everyone else with the exception that they can purchase off roster handguns and normal mags. In the case of handguns, a department letter only waives the 10 day wait. I often times didn't bother going this route since it would take several days just to get the letter. As far as AW's the department letter authorizes the officer to purchase an AW from a licensed dealer. The AW must then be registered with DOJ.
Many departments will not issue their officers a letter for this option.

[Che762x39]

Basically, ... In the case of handguns, a department letter only waives the 10 day wait.

I got the department letter to document my duty weapons.

After Bat Masterson got famous he would go to a pawn shop and buy a $2 pistol and resell it at lunch for $100 because tenderfoots and city slickers wanted a famous law dog pistol. So technically it was a Bat Masterson pistol for at least a few minutes

[Che762x39]

I find that really odd.

You know some cops are kidders? After the North Hollywood shootout I was at my mother's house with a plastic toolbox to make a repair. My brother and his wife came when I was leaving and she asked what is that? I told her after North Hollywood shootout everyone has to carry a machine gun 24/7.

A few weeks later I went to my brother's house and his wife asked if I could leave my machine gun in the car because they have small children. I told her that I did because I am thoughtful of the children.

[IrishJoe3]

Actually......I wasn't kidding, and not sure why its odd. I COULD get the 10 day waiver letter, but have never bothered.