DROS Fees?

[Nardo1895]

Let me start out by saying there is a 'L of a lot an FFL needs to know/remember...

With that in mind, the CADOJ FAQs for Dealers indicates the DOJ fees are:

DROS $19
Firearms Safety Fee $1
Safety and Enforcement Fee $5
TOTAL $25

In addition the FAQs indicate that for PPTs, a FFL can add $10 per firearm.

This is how I have been operating -- charging one DROS fee ($25) regardless of the number handguns; however, on the Public FAQs its says basically the same but adds:

"For a private party transfer involving one or more handguns, the total allowable fees, including the DROS, safety, and dealer transfer fees, are not to exceed $35.00 for the first handgun and $31.00 for each additional handgun involved in the same transaction."

I did a multiple handgun DROS last month (one new and one C&R to a C&R holder) and was only charged $25 for the DROS so I assume the Dealer FAQ is correct and the Public FAQ is out of date?

Thanks

[shootsocal_dave]

The dealer actually PAYS $25 per transaction (same buyer, clicking "submit another"). If the dealer doesn't charge you what the DOJ allowed them to charge in addition to the state fee (basicly what they can charge you got thier time), then they did you a favor, or forgot.

[Nardo1895]

Opps, I led you astray. My mistake, I should have been clearer.

I'm the dealer, not the buyer. I did a two handgun sale. I charged the client $25 for the DROS for both. I later checked my DOJ DROS invoice for that month and DOJ only charged me $25 for both handguns. The DROS invoice listed the first handgun for $25 and the second for $0.

I suppose this doesn't happen often with the 1 handgun in 30 rule, but it can happen with C&Rs or PPTs.

[acespawnshop]

Yes, it happens you ran the DROS's correctly but it seems that you may have over charged the customer.

[shootsocal_dave]

You are mixing up what the CUSTOMER PAYS and what YOU PAY. You can register 50 PPT handguns to a guy, and only get charged $25 if it was in the same transaction, you are allowed to charge $10 each for your time.

PPT involving one or more firearms, the total allowable fees are $35.00 for the first firearm ($25 DROS fee and $10 PPT fee), and $10.00 for each subsequent firearm.

[Yodaman]

[Nardo1895]

I didn't overcharge him. I only charged him for the single DROS. I would gladly refund him if I did. I agree its great customer relations.

Here's the long story...

I've been doing this about 2 1/2 years. I figured it was time I came up with a written fee structure instead of just trying to remember everything. I got a copy from one of the Calgun FFLs -- cant remember who but that's immaterial. The Price List I was looking at had the following:

1. DROS Fee $19
2. DOJ Safety and Enforcement Fee $5
3. DOJ Firearms Safety Device Fee $1
4. DOJ Reduced DROS fee of $15 ($19 total) per additional handgun for multiple handgun transactions (emphasis added)

I have not been charging the "Reduced DROS Fee for Multiple handguns", only a single $25 DROS fee, so I started digging around DOJ's website to see if I've been undercharging customers. That led me to the FAQs for Dealers (silent on any discounted DROS for second handgun purchase) and the Public FAQs which (almost) mirrors what I listed above.

I then checked my DOJ DROS invoices and found I was only charged one DROS fee for two handguns, confirming (I think) that I've been right to only charge the customer for one $25 DROS fee, regardless of the number of handguns.

I do charge $10 per gun (but only one $25 DROS) for a multiple handgun PPT.

I was inquiring here on this forum because the Public FAQ threw me off. Repeating what it says here (Public FAQ #14):

For a private party transfer involving one or more handguns, the total allowable fees, including the DROS, safety, and dealer transfer fees, are not to exceed $35.00 for the first handgun and $31.00 for each additional handgun involved in the same transaction.

I assumed the $31 was $10 for the dealer and $21 for the reduced DROS fee. (Not sure where the $19 came from on the example Price List I was using.)

So back to my original question; do you dealers charge (or pay) multiple DROS fees on the sale of multiple handguns submitted on the same DROS transaction? Not asking about your PPT fees, only the State DROS fees.

Based on my DROS invoice I don't think we are charged for multiple handguns, but I don't do a lot of these so I want to make sure this wasn't some kind of fluke.

The DOJ Fee schedule we have to post doesn't include anything about a reduced DROS fee, but also doesn't say anything about no additional DROS fee for a second handgun purchase. The Public FAQ seems to be the outlier here...

[acespawnshop]

I figured it was time I came up with a written fee structure instead of just trying to remember everything.

Like the one you should have displayed at the store...

[Nardo1895]

The DOJ Fee schedule we have to post doesn't include anything about a reduced DROS fee, but also doesn't say anything about no additional DROS fee for a second handgun purchase.

Haven't mastered the quote thing yet. Above from my last post.

The written fee schedule I was referring to wasn't just DOJ fees, but what I charge for other stuff which doesn't have to be posted (like internet transfers, mailing firearms, ammo transfers, etc.). The sample fee list I was using also included the DOJ fees which is where I got stuck on the multiple handgun issue.

[shootsocal_dave]

https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/pdf/firearms-fees.pdf

[Nardo1895]

shootsocal_dave actually answered my question in his prior response, I just missed it. Thanks. Still a little baffled by the Public FAQ, but I'll just ignore it.

Thanks for the help!

[G-forceJunkie]

This part is incorrect and out of date. Yes, the website is wrong, has been for years. PPT is $35 for the first one, +$10 for each additional.

I was inquiring here on this forum because the Public FAQ threw me off. Repeating what it says here (Public FAQ #14):

For a private party transfer involving one or more handguns, the total allowable fees, including the DROS, safety, and dealer transfer fees, are not to exceed $35.00 for the first handgun and $31.00 for each additional handgun involved in the same transaction.

[acespawnshop]

[B][I]
Haven't mastered the quote thing yet. Above from my last post.

Hit the quote button, the delete what you don't want make sure the [ text ] and [ / quote] is bookending what you want to reference. Used the "go advanced" tab for more details, for multiple quotes from different people copy and paste and repeat the process for what you want to say.

[kemasa]

This part is incorrect and out of date. Yes, the website is wrong, has been for years. PPT is $35 for the first one, +$10 for each additional.

The DROS fee is $25 period. While the total for a CA PPT comes out to $35 for the first one, you still can't represent the $35 as the DROS fee as that is actually illegal since it is $25 DROS and $10 FFL.

It would be nice if the CA DOJ could keep their web page accurate, but then it makes them going after FFLs who don't keep up with all the changes more of a joke.

[Tyke8319]

The DROS fee is $25 period. While the total for a CA PPT comes out to $35 for the first one, you still can't represent the $35 as the DROS fee as that is actually illegal since it is $25 DROS and $10 FFL.

It would be nice if the CA DOJ could keep their web page accurate, but then it makes them going after FFLs who don't keep up with all the changes more of a joke.

What Kemasa said:
Early on I got called on that very mistake during my first DOJ audit. I now issue receipts showing: $25.00 State DORS fee
$10.00 Dealer fee
That's how it must read.