Quick Question

[wilafur]

if a friend is moving into CA with on and off roster handguns (all registered in his state), does he need to register them first in CA and then PPT to me? or can he PPT them to me when he moves into town?

thanks!

[kemasa]

He would need to get a CA DL in order to do a PPT and as a new resident he would be required to report them within 60 days. I suspect that you might be able to get away with transferring them before he registering them, but I think that the proper and safer way would be for him to registered them, then to do the PPT afterwards.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.php#24

I am moving into California and I own several handguns. What are the new-resident registration requirements?

You are considered to be a personal handgun importer as defined by California law. You may bring all of your otherwise California-legal firearms with you, but you must report all of your handguns to the DOJ within 60 days as required utilizing the New Resident Handgun Ownership Report. PDF logo [PDF 518 kb / 2 pg] You are not required to report rifles or shotguns. You may not bring ammunition feeding devices with a capacity greater than ten rounds, machineguns, or assault weapons into California.

(PC sections 12001(n), 12072(f)(2))

[Mssr. Eleganté]

...I suspect that you might be able to get away with transferring them before he registering them, but I think that the proper and safer way would be for him to registered them, then to do the PPT afterwards.

It is neither "more proper" nor "safer" to register the handguns first before selling them. The Penal Code says new residents have 60 days to either register their handguns or sell them. Both options are just as safe and proper.

12072(f)(2)(A) On or after January 1, 1998, within 60 days of bringing a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person into this state, a personal handgun importer shall do one of the following:
(i) Forward by prepaid mail or deliver in person to the Department of Justice, a report prescribed by the department including information concerning that individual and a description of the firearm in question.
(ii) Sell or transfer the firearm in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (d) or in accordance with the provisions of an exemption from subdivision (d).
(iii) Sell or transfer the firearm to a dealer licensed pursuant to Section 12071.
(iv) Sell or transfer the firearm to a sheriff or police department.

Like Kemasa says, he can only transfer them to you as a PPT at a dealer if he has a California DL or ID. So if he is able to get a California DL/ID from DMV before the 60 days are up then that would be the way to go. If he doesn't get a DL/ID from DMV within that time then he would have to transfer them to you through a dealer as a regular dealer transfer, where the dealer isn't limited to the $35 PPT fee. Also keep in mind that the 60 days start counting from when he brings the handguns into California and not when he moves into California. So if he foresees trouble getting a California Driver's License or ID for some reason then he can leave the handguns out of state until he gets that cleared up. Then he will have 60 days to sell them to you after he brings them into California.

[wilafur]

thanks for the great info! it has been very helpful!

[CHS]

If you sell the guns before the 60 days without registering them in CA, they automatically get registered to whoever you sold them to.

If he plans on selling them before the 60 days there is absolutely no logical or legal reason to register them with the state first.

[wilafur]

good info everyone! thank you!