Help getting a handgun returned to CA

[rdtompki]

We shipped one of my wife's handguns out of state for some work using a San Jose FFL - no problem with the shipment and the work is complete.

I tried to have the handgun returned to a different FFL for convenience, but was informed that the handgun had to be on the roster in order to return to CA. The gun is still on the roster in its original caliber, but I would still be required to re-DROS the gun?? Now, I don't believe the roster is at issue, but the following seems to apply.

Now I understand that there is a CFLC "system" and the shipping FFL needs to sign up with same to get permission to return the gun to CA. Can someone verify that this is the case?

I doubt the out-of-state FFL is enrolled and I would understand completely if he didn't want to go to the trouble. Unless I'm mistaken this would reduce my options to selling the gun to an out-of-state buyer. Do I have this right?

[SkyHawk]

You should have shipped it yourself directly, then it could have been returned to you directly.

Major bummer all around man - someone else may come along with some good ideas.

[rdtompki]

I believe I know that now, but the cost to have an FFL ship is 1/2 of what overnight air or similar would have cost me. Live and learn I guess.

[kemasa]

We shipped one of my wife's handguns out of state for some work using a San Jose FFL - no problem with the shipment and the work is complete.

I tried to have the handgun returned to a different FFL for convenience, but was informed that the handgun had to be on the roster in order to return to CA. The gun is still on the roster in its original caliber, but I would still be required to re-DROS the gun?? Now, I don't believe the roster is at issue, but the following seems to apply.

It really should go back to the original FFL and since it is gunsmith work, there would be no DROS, no 4473, no waiting period. If the firearm is modified, then it would no longer be considered to be on the certified list.

If you ship it to another FFL, then it is like a normal transfer, with all the paperwork required.

Now I understand that there is a CFLC "system" and the shipping FFL needs to sign up with same to get permission to return the gun to CA. Can someone verify that this is the case?

Yes, that is the case.

I doubt the out-of-state FFL is enrolled and I would understand completely if he didn't want to go to the trouble. Unless I'm mistaken this would reduce my options to selling the gun to an out-of-state buyer. Do I have this right?

It is not difficult to signup, it is free and online, but it is still annoying. It is something that you should have checked on in advance.

It does not affect selling the firearm to an out of state buyer. You could also have the firearm shipped to a middleman FFL for additional gunsmith work, then shipped back to the original FFL for return to you.

[rdtompki]

The gun is now being sent back to the originating FFL in the same "condition" other than some spring tweaking and ejector.

Kemasa, the following "It really should go back to the original FFL and since it is gunsmith work, there would be no DROS, no 4473, no waiting period. If the firearm is modified, then it would no longer be considered to be on the certified list."
seems to indicate that you can never send a non-roster gun out of state for work? Not that anything about gun law makes a lot of sense, but am I reading you correctly?

[kemasa]

Kemasa, the following "It really should go back to the original FFL and since it is gunsmith work, there would be no DROS, no 4473, no waiting period. If the firearm is modified, then it would no longer be considered to be on the certified list."
seems to indicate that you can never send a non-roster gun out of state for work? Not that anything about gun law makes a lot of sense, but am I reading you correctly?

Incorrect, you can send a firearm out of state for work, you can do anything that you want, but in order to get it back the same exact way it came as gunsmith work, which means no paperwork is required to get it back. You need to make sure that the FFL that you ship it through knows that or that if you send it direct, that the other FFL knows that they can ship it directly back to you.

If you send it personally and the gunsmith won't ship it directly back, you are SOL as it would have to be on the certified list to get it back. If you ship it through a FFL, it needs to come back through that same FFL or it has to be on the certified list to get it back.

[SkyHawk]

I believe I know that now, but the cost to have an FFL ship is 1/2 of what overnight air or similar would have cost me. Live and learn I guess.

$39 to ship a handgun overnight using www.shipmygun.com

[rdtompki]

$39 to ship a handgun overnight using www.shipmygun.com

Thanks!