To clarify; legal to ship to 03FFL/COE Holders?

[Spectre1995]

Been thinking of applying for an 03FFL/COE lately. One thing that was mentioned to me is that C&R holders in California, even with a COE, can no longer have long guns shipped to their door. I'm aware that pistols require them be sent to a "Dealer" FFL before the C&R holder takes posession, but what isn't clear is if long guns have that requirement too.

So, if anyone could please clarify, that would be great.

My other question is; what's the process like to get the C&R? Is it as simple as just sending the application and the check? Then going through the COE process? Or does the ATF have to show up and do an inspection, etc.?

Thank you all in advance.

[kemasa]

The law changed when a DROS was required for each long gun and my reading of the CA PC and in talking to the CA DOJ, all C&R firearms from out of state have to go through a CA dealer. You will find some people who claim otherwise, but it is based on the warping of reality in my opinion. The common one is claiming that if the firearm is delivered to your door, you are not the one who imported it.

The process for a C&R is typically simple. The COE requires a livescan of your fingerprints and is easy, although not all that cheap.

[Spectre1995]

So even with a C&R, I would still have to have it sent to an FFL, have it DROS'd, and pay the fees and everything?

Honestly, that kind of defeats the purpose of a C&R if all it does is eliminate the waiting period.

[kemasa]

It is the government, it does not have to make sense.

Also, if the firearm is a C&R from a private party and is an occasional sale and you have a C&R FFL, then it is not subject to sales tax.

[Cokebottle]

So even with a C&R, I would still have to have it sent to an FFL, have it DROS'd, and pay the fees and everything?

Honestly, that kind of defeats the purpose of a C&R if all it does is eliminate the waiting period.

You can have a C&R long gun shipped to your home from within California.
C&R handguns must go through an FFL.

You can still travel out of state and purchase C&R long guns or handguns. That was always the primary benefit of the 03/COE, since C&R long guns were, prior to 2014, cash and carry for anyone within CA.

The only benefit to the 03/COE for handguns, other than out of state purchases, is the 10 day exemption.

[Spectre1995]

So, let me get this straight;

If the seller is within the state of California, they can ship it directly to my door, no issues, so long as the firearm is a long gun.

C&R handguns, as well as long guns coming in from out of state, have to DROS through an FFL.

In either case, the C&R/COE exempts me from the 10 day waiting period?

[Cokebottle]

So, let me get this straight;

If the seller is within the state of California, they can ship it directly to my door, no issues, so long as the firearm is a long gun.

C&R handguns, as well as long guns coming in from out of state, have to DROS through an FFL.

In either case, the C&R/COE exempts me from the 10 day waiting period?

Honestly I am not clear if a California dealer can ship to your door (he needs to log out of inventory, your 03 may be acceptable).
A private party may ship to you.

Yes, the 03/COE provides an exemption to the 10 day wait, but there is one catch.
The California DROS software does not allow the 03 exemption to be applied to a PPT, only to a dealer sale.
With a good relationship with your FFL, you might be able to talk him into logging the PPT through his inventory (no longer a PPT) which would then allow the exemption to be applied... but the $35 transfer cost limit would not apply.


You may personally import either handguns or long guns from out of state.
Emphasis on "personally"...

[Spectre1995]

I was thinking more-so buying C&R guns from a private party in-state.

There are no California dealers to my knowledge that deal solely in mail-order C&R stuff.

I talked to one of my FFL's and he's under the impression that any firearm shipped to him has to me DROS'd, with the fees, etc.

What do you mean by your emphasis on "personally"? With an 03, I don't have any intent to sell anything I purchase.

Also, in a face-to-face transaction, would a long gun or handgun still have to go through a dealer?

[Cokebottle]

I talked to one of my FFL's and he's under the impression that any firearm shipped to him has to me DROS'd, with the fees, etc.

That is correct.

All guns in his shop must be logged into inventory.
DROS is one legal method for getting it out of inventory.
It seems that it would then be legal for him to ship to you as an FFL to FFL transfer, but I'm not 100% on that.

What do you mean by your emphasis on "personally"? With an 03, I don't have any intent to sell anything I purchase.

Meaning that you personally must be the importer... not the UPS driver.
You can travel to AZ and buy a carload of C&R long guns and handguns, register when you get home, but those same guns can not be shipped to your door.

Also, in a face-to-face transaction, would a long gun or handgun still have to go through a dealer?

Long gun is still cash and carry IF the buyer has an 03/COE.
All handgun transfers have to go through an FFL.