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Hi...new to this forum but I need help. I am going to do a two party private transfer of a long gun. I am the seller and the buyer and I both live locally in Northern California. The Buyer wants to use his friend who has an FFL to do the transfer. His friend works out of his home so I asked for a copy of his FFL so I can verify that he is legit. I called the Dept of Justice and the person there told me that I have to have his centralized list number which she did give to me but then she told me that I need for him to get a "Shipment Approval Letter". I asked her why I have to worry about this because I am not an FFL holder. I am just the guy selling the rifle. I thought all this was the FFL holders responsibility plus the fact that I am not shipping the firearm to the FFL holder and the buyer, me (seller) and the FFL holder all live in California. The buyer and I are going to meet at his home and do the DROS so there is no shipping involved. She told me that whether I walk it in myself or ship it, it doesn't make a difference. She told me that I needed to talk with the person that specializes with the letter so she transferred me to that person.
This person also told me that the FFL has to get the "Shipment approval Letter" before he takes possession of the rifle but then she said she has never run into this situation before where the buyer and seller go into the FFL's home together and do a private transfer. I explained that I have PPT many rifles in retail gunstores and this letter was never brought up. We just did the DROS, paid the store the fees, paid for a lock and that was it...the buyer returns 10 days later and gets his rifle. Maybe they get the letter while we are in the store...I don't know. I also mentioned that I thought the "Shipment Approval Letter" was so an FFL sending a firearm to another FFL in California can verify that the receiving FFL was approved to take possession of the firearm. If that's the case then when only one FFL is involved, he would just be approving himself to receive a firearm which doesn't make sense. He already knows he is qualified to receive the firearm. She told me she didn't know and I should talk to a field agent. So now I was transferred to a third person but they were not in and I left a message. Hopefully they call back.
Sorry this is so long but I wanted to give the whole story. Can someone please help me with what the rule really is? Do I need to make sure all this occurs? Is it even my responsibility? I thought I did my due diligence just by requesting his license and verifying it. I know for sure and it has been confirmed by the DOJ that the FFL's License is in good standing and they did give me his 5 digit centralized list number so do we need him to get a "Shipment Approval Letter" on himself? Thank you in advance for any information!
This person also told me that the FFL has to get the "Shipment approval Letter" before he takes possession of the rifle but then she said she has never run into this situation before where the buyer and seller go into the FFL's home together and do a private transfer. I explained that I have PPT many rifles in retail gunstores and this letter was never brought up. We just did the DROS, paid the store the fees, paid for a lock and that was it...the buyer returns 10 days later and gets his rifle. Maybe they get the letter while we are in the store...I don't know. I also mentioned that I thought the "Shipment Approval Letter" was so an FFL sending a firearm to another FFL in California can verify that the receiving FFL was approved to take possession of the firearm. If that's the case then when only one FFL is involved, he would just be approving himself to receive a firearm which doesn't make sense. He already knows he is qualified to receive the firearm. She told me she didn't know and I should talk to a field agent. So now I was transferred to a third person but they were not in and I left a message. Hopefully they call back.
Sorry this is so long but I wanted to give the whole story. Can someone please help me with what the rule really is? Do I need to make sure all this occurs? Is it even my responsibility? I thought I did my due diligence just by requesting his license and verifying it. I know for sure and it has been confirmed by the DOJ that the FFL's License is in good standing and they did give me his 5 digit centralized list number so do we need him to get a "Shipment Approval Letter" on himself? Thank you in advance for any information!
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