Employee COE

[GunsAndAmmoGirl]

Do all employees who enter DROS, deliver firearms have to have a COE?
Thanks!

[ASD1]

short answer Yes

Also i think anyone that works in a shop need one also

[GunsAndAmmoGirl]

I had a Bass Pro guy working here for a while, he did not have one and said most at the Bass gun counter do not.

[tenpercentfirearms]

short answer Yes

Also i think anyone that works in a shop need one also

Please provide the penal code section that requires this. Thank you.

I have two employees who do not have a COE and they have DROS accounts too.

[Condorguns]

The only one required to have a COE is the FFL holder. Some shops choose to have staff also have a COE, but many don't bother.
All of my staff are known to me, and all have Drosed firearms through by shop. They all passed the 10 day...good enough for me.

[GunsAndAmmoGirl]

Good to know! Thanks TenPercent and Condor! Just wanted to make sure because of the box on the new DROS paperwork.

[ASD1]

Please provide the penal code section that requires this. Thank you.

I have two employees who do not have a COE and they have DROS accounts too.

Ten

So did they get a # from some one to put in the box or are they / you just leaving the box unfilled out?

[tenpercentfirearms]

Ten

So did they get a # from some one to put in the box or are they / you just leaving the box unfilled out?

I forgot what I did when I registered. I either put mine or left it blank. I can't remember which one. I know it has been covered here somewhere.

[lugnutwrench]

Short version: there is no state law that requires every employee of a firearms dealer to possess a COE. However, the law does not forbid a dealer from requiring one. It is left to the dealer's discretion.

This is pretty confusing when attempting to read the codes. The laws of this state (like many states) appear opaque and relatively inaccessible to the common person over which they claims to have effect. However, here's what I've been able to peace together.

Former read (emphasis mine):

12086 ... (c) A licensee shall comply with the following prohibitions and requirements: ... (4)(A) The licensee shall require that each employee obtain a certificate of eligibility pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 12071, which shall be renewed annually, prior to being allowed to come into contact with any firearm. ...

That section was repealed (I believe) in 2010. The current relevant section appears to be , which reads (emphasis mine):

26915. (a) A firearms dealer may require any agent who handles, sells, or delivers firearms to obtain and provide to the dealer a
certificate of eligibility from the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 26710. On the application for the certificate, the agent or employee shall provide the name and California firearms dealer number of the firearms dealer with whom the person is employed.

This is consistent with the DOJ's FAQ, which reads:

...

29. What is an Employee Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?Is an Employee Certificate of Eligibility (COE) required for every employee?

[lugnutwrench]

I forgot what I did when I registered. I either put mine or left it blank. I can't remember which one. I know it has been covered here somewhere.

I'm fairly certain if the employee does not possess a COE, the employee can leave it blank (both during registration of an account on DES and when completing each DROS).

[MrBuzzard]

I had a COE but expired, shop grunts don't need a COE, just the FFL/CFD holder(s).


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