Intrafamilial Interstate Transfer (AZ to CA)

[SteelPastor]

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This is NUTS! LOL. I have read everything I can find on this process. I believe that I have it nailed down, but I would very much appreciate any additional input. Thank you in advance.

BTW... the following post was extremely helpful already:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1058641

My Mom lives in AZ. She asked about gifting a few handguns to me and I figured I needed to do my homework. None of the handguns are on the CA DOJ Roster but they do meet the magazine limitation.

I contacted several FFL's and found that many of them would not even do a transfer of this type (even if it began at an AZ FFL... not required, I know). I had one FFL that called the CA DOJ (bad idea it seems) and was told my Mom would need to provide a copy of my Dad's death certificate because one of the guns was originally his! Good grief!

Well... I finally found an FFL near me (rural High Desert) that has done a number of these kinds of transfers and seemed to know the process without a bunch of research (or relying on the CA DOJ... UGH!). This FFL is comfortable with my Mom shipping directly to them without involving an FFL in AZ. (Much preferred by my Mom.)

This is how I understand the process, please clarify or correct an misconceptions on my part... as follows:

1. My Mom will need to write a letter specifying the gifts, including the make , model and serial number of each firearm (a copy of this letter to be included with the shipment). She also needs to include a copy of her AZ Driver's License.

Are there any other forms or information needed on her end (to be included in the shipment)?

2. The guns will be shipped from her directly to the CA FFL (several people have recommended ShipMyGun.com?) and will be insured.

3. Once the shipment arrives at my CA FFL, I will need to complete the necessary forms (4478?). (Does this form require the person who owns the firearm to sign? How does this work?) This will include a 10 day wait (and a 1 gun per 30 day waiting period???).

Any other forms needed?

What am I missing?

Thank you, again.

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[Quiet]

1. good-to-go.
No other info/documents are required.

2. good-to-go.

3. An ATF 4473 form and CA DROS is filled out. Same procedure as acquiring a firearm directly from a CA FFL dealer.
You will need a valid CA DL/ID, valid proof of CA residency, and a valid FSC or exemption to the FSC.
The 10 day waiting period and the 1 in 30 day wait for handguns applies.

[SteelPastor]

The 10 day waiting period and the 1 in 30 day wait for handguns applies.

So... the one in thirty wait... the FFL just keeps it on hand until the timeframe occurs? I assume I am the one who selects the order that multiple firearms come out of jail?

Thank you.

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[kemasa]

So... the one in thirty wait... the FFL just keeps it on hand until the timeframe occurs? I assume I am the one who selects the order that multiple firearms come out of jail?
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You need to talk to the FFL. Some FFLs might not want to store the firearms for months and other might charge for storage. Depending on the FFL, you might need to ship the handguns every thirty days. In theory, you would select which one you wanted to do first, but again you need to talk to the FFL. A handgun in a large case might need to be done before one in a small case to limit the space being taken up.

[kemasa]

...
I contacted several FFL's and found that many of them would not even do a transfer of this type (even if it began at an AZ FFL... not required, I know). I had one FFL that called the CA DOJ (bad idea it seems) and was told my Mom would need to provide a copy of my Dad's death certificate because one of the guns was originally his! Good grief!

Most FFLs don't seem to know how to do it. The CA DOJ will actually tell them how.

The firearms are coming from your mother, not from your father. In a free state the firearms can be transferred between people without going through a FFL, there is no "title" to the firearm. CA keeps track, but who knows if they ever do anything about, but don't bet that they won't. You end up with problems when you add too much information which is not relevant. It doesn't matter that your mother got the firearms from your father when he died, all that is important is that you are getting the firearms from your mother.

Well... I finally found an FFL near me (rural High Desert) that has done a number of these kinds of transfers and seemed to know the process without a bunch of research (or relying on the CA DOJ... UGH!). This FFL is comfortable with my Mom shipping directly to them without involving an FFL in AZ. (Much preferred by my Mom.)

One thing to consider with shipping firearms is that UPS/FedEx has company policy which requires overnight shipping, which is expensive. A FFL can ship USPS, which can be much cheaper, especially with regional flat rate boxes. This means that depending on the fee that a FFL charges, it might be cheaper to ship through a FFL.

Another option, depending on your mother, is to have her drive to the FFL and avoid shipping. Depending on the number of firearms, it could be cheaper to pay for a FFL to go to AZ to pickup the firearms.

This is how I understand the process, please clarify or correct an misconceptions on my part... as follows:

1. My Mom will need to write a letter specifying the gifts, including the make , model and serial number of each firearm (a copy of this letter to be included with the shipment). She also needs to include a copy of her AZ Driver's License.

Yes, the letter is required to make it roster exempt, as well, if it is a gift to make it sales tax exempt.

Often a FFL will require a copy of her ID, but it is not required by law. Without it a FFL might not be willing to do the transfer though.

[SteelPastor]

Most FFLs don't seem to know how to do it. The CA DOJ will actually tell them how.

THAT was my hope. I understand that FFL's that don't deal with these a lot would need to confirm some things. I live in a rural area... so my guess is that these are not very common.

However, my BIG surprise was when the local FFL called the CA DOJ... the DOJ gave horribly inaccurate directions to follow! I seems that they are MUCH better at telling us what we CANNOT do than giving help to do what we CAN do!

Thank you everyone for the insight.
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[SteelPastor]

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Now... just so I am clear. How does this process differ for a long gun?

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[edgerly779]

Same for longguns just not 1 in 30. Dros at ffl and you must have fsc or equivalent.

[kemasa]

THAT was my hope. I understand that FFL's that don't deal with these a lot would need to confirm some things. I live in a rural area... so my guess is that these are not very common.

However, my BIG surprise was when the local FFL called the CA DOJ... the DOJ gave horribly inaccurate directions to follow! I seems that they are MUCH better at telling us what we CANNOT do than giving help to do what we CAN do!

Thank you everyone for the insight.
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The problem is that you don't know what exactly was said. It appears that there is confusion because the firearms are from the mother. The mother got the firearms when the father died. That can cause confusion.

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Now... just so I am clear. How does this process differ for a long gun?
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There is no roster for long guns, so as long as it is legal for CA (no so-called a-salt weapons), then it can just be transferred. To avoid sales tax, documentation would be needed to show that it was not bought.

[SteelPastor]

Same for longguns just not 1 in 30. Dros at ffl and you must have fsc or equivalent.

Holy cow. My dad's fifty year old Savage 30-30 lever action and a shotgun... scary high capacity stuff! LOL.

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[acespawnshop]

Holy cow. My dad's fifty year old Savage 30-30 lever action and a shotgun... scary high capacity stuff! LOL.

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Tube fed on the lever action isn't considered hi capacity.

[SteelPastor]

Tube fed on the lever action isn't considered hi capacity.

LOL.