selling a handgun

[10fcp]

I have purchased a handgun quite a while ago from a family member. If I decide to sell the handgun now is there going to be a problem with the fact that I'm not the original owner with the paperwork in my name?

[halifax]

No, unless it has been reported as stolen.

[10fcp]

They don't trace them back to previous owners? If I were to buy a handgun from a family member now wouldn't I need to do paperwork? I don't think it was always that way, what was the date when it had to be done? Thanks for all your help.

[Librarian]

They don't trace them back to previous owners?

If I were to buy a handgun from a family member now wouldn't I need to do paperwork?

I don't think it was always that way, what was the date when it had to be done?

Thanks for all your help.

No, they don't; yes, but it depends on exactly what family member; no, it wasn't.

(1) substantially all gun sales were required to go through a CA-licensed FFL beginning in 1991

(2) Since 1922, guns that went that route were reported to the state via DROS; that became computer-based later in the 90's.

(3) Since not all guns have gone that route, not all guns are known to the state, so tracing back to prior owners is not done - lots of 'not founds'. That's legal.

(4) Particular family relationship transfers - parent to/from child, grandparent to/from grandchild - can skip the FFL, and for handguns must mail in a form and a fee to the state. Other relationships must use the FFL for both handguns and long guns.