Customer Etiquette

[bigpappa0095]

Sorry if this is beating a dead horse, but I recently obtained my 03+COE and wanted to exercise some 2A rights as a law abiding citizen. However, I ran into issues where different stores interpreted the law in different ways. As a customer, is there any point to discuss policy with an FFL or should I just move on to the next? Specific examples below.

Smokin Barrel in Simi Valley CA would not accept my 03+COE as secondary proof of residency (section D, https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/a...s/chapter4.pdf) and insisted I draft a lease agreement to show when picking up (boo). They would, however, accept my 03+COE to waive the 1 every 30 days (I wanted to purchase 2 handguns because I live far away and didn't want to make 4 trips, yay).

Greta's Guns two blocks away would accept my 03+COE for residency, but would not exempt me from the 1 every 30 because they said it only applied to C&R.

Now, it's been over 5 years since I purchased anything firearm related, so I thought it would be good to brush up on the rules and regs in case anything major changed...so:

With regards to the 1 every 30 exemption, CA PC 27535 (9) as written today only refers to someone being a "collector" and does not specify that the items you are purchasing must be classified as C&R. (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...35&lawCode=PEN)

The CA OAG website lists acceptable forms of residency proof, the first 3 are related to rental, lease, and property ownership...but item D lists government issued license or permit (of which the 03 itself should qualify, but specifically lists the COE).

Federally, proof of residency only matters if the address on the 4473 does not match your form of ID (which mine does), right?

Needless to say, I went home with a full wallet.

[SilveradoColt21]

In my opinion it's good to kindly let them know and show them where the law is clearly stated, If they want no part in understanding the laws how they are written then simply move on because at that point it becomes a debate where it is you vs. them.

[Jeepergeo]

You're bringing up things that happened over 5 years ago? Sheesh. Sounds like you have more of an issue with those stores....

[bigpappa0095]

You're bringing up things that happened over 5 years ago? Sheesh. Sounds like you have more of an issue with those stores....

No...this happened yesterday. It's been 5 years since my last purchase of a firearm, so I wanted to make it known that I brushed up on current rules and regs before even going to the stores.

[SkyHawk]

IMO it is always worth a try to educate them politely, and make sure you bring plenty of hardcopy citations from authoritative sources when you do. But if they still will not change their mind then all you can do is move on.

After initially being turned down and sent away, I was able to work out the 1/30 for modern handguns thing with Sportsman's Warehouse after a friendly email exchange where I showed them the court decision that gave us the ability to use 03/COE for that, and the DOJ memo in DES etc.

If a FFL will not recognize a legal win from a hard fought court battle, then really they should not be patronized. Because unfortunately, nearly every gun right we have in CA is being eroded and only restored through subsequent wins in court.

[acespawnshop]

Those two stores probably need to read the DES bulletins that they agree to follow and adhere to when they got their CFD. All this is discussed there. Maybe try and point that out. Other than that, vote with your dollars homeboy go elsewhere.