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Helping You Make Informed Decisions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Prohibited Persons – Not Eligible to Own or Possess Firearms:

    1. Individuals under indictment for a felony, or convicted of:

      • A felony

      • Certain qualifying misdemeanors

    2. Fugitives from justice

    3. Individuals adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution

    4. Individuals subject to a restraining or protective order

    5. Individuals dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces

    6. Individuals who have renounced U.S. citizenship

    7. Individuals who are:

      • In the U.S. unlawfully

      • Illegal residents

    8. Individuals addicted to or unlawfully using controlled substances

  • Minimum Age Requirements for Firearm Purchases in California:

    • 21 years of age to purchase:

      • Rifles

      • Shotguns

      • Handguns

      • Rifle receivers

      • Pistol-gripped shotguns

  • California Firearm Waiting Period:

    • 10-day waiting period, calculated as ten consecutive 24-hour periods starting from the initiation of the DROS (Dealer Record of Sale) process.

    • Exemptions may apply for certain qualified individuals, such as law enforcement officers.

  • DROS stands for Dealer Record of Sale. It is the system used by the California Department of Justice to:

    • Conduct background checks on firearm purchasers

    • Collect and register firearm sales information

  • DROS Background Check and Waiting Period (California)

    • What Happens: When DROS paperwork is submitted to the California DOJ, it initiates a criminal background check during the mandatory 10‑day waiting period, calculated as ten consecutive 24-hour periods. 

    • Purpose: This process ensures that the purchaser is legally eligible to buy or possess a firearm under state and federal law. 

    • Authority to Delay: If the DOJ cannot determine eligibility within those 10 days (e.g., due to unclear or conflicting records), it can extend the waiting period up to 30 days.

  • Additional Requirements Before Purchasing a Firearm

    1. Proof of Residency

      • Required for handgun purchases only

      • Must be valid and current

    2. Valid California ID

      • California Driver’s License or state-issued ID

      • If not a Real ID, you must also provide secondary proof of identification, such as:

        • Birth Certificate

        • Valid U.S. Passport

    3. Proof of Legal Residency (Non-U.S. Citizens Only)

      • Valid, current government-issued documentation is required

    4. Firearm Safety Certification

      • Must possess a valid Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) or Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC)

      • Or provide documentation showing exemption

    5. Safe Handling Demonstration

      • Required at the time of delivery (see below for details)

  • Safe Handling Demonstration (California Requirement)

    At the time of DROS, the purchaser must demonstrate the ability to safely handle the firearm being purchased, or a firearm of the same make and model. This includes:

    • Verifying the firearm is unloaded

    • Unlocking the firearm

    • Loading it with a dummy round

    • Unloading the firearm

    • Re-locking the firearm
       

    The demonstration must be performed by the purchaser and is witnessed by the dealer.
     
    Additionally, the purchaser must sign an Affidavit of Safe Handling, confirming they understand how to safely operate the firearm.

  • Firearm Eligibility in California

    California has strict firearm laws that limit which firearms can be legally purchased. Use the resources below to determine if a specific firearm is allowed:

  • Private Party Transfer (PPT) in California
     

    A Private Party Transfer (PPT) is when a California resident sells a privately owned firearm to another California resident.
     

    Key Requirements:

    • Both parties must be physically present at a licensed firearms dealer

    • Must present required identification and documentation

    • Must complete all DROS paperwork

    • The dealer takes custody of the firearm during the mandatory 10-day waiting period

    • The buyer returns to the dealer after the waiting period to take possession
       

    Important Notes:

    • Firearm purchases from private individuals outside California do not qualify as a PPT

    • PPTs are exempt from the California DOJ Approved Handgun Roster requirement

  • Firearms Safety Device (FSD) Requirement

    California law requires that all firearm purchases include a gun lock or trigger lock, unless an exemption applies.
     

    To meet this requirement, one of the following must apply:

    • Purchase of a DOJ-approved gun or trigger lock

    • The firearm comes equipped with a DOJ-approved lock

    • The buyer provides proof of ownership of a DOJ-approved safe or lockbox
       

    If claiming an exemption:

    • A receipt for the DOJ-approved lockbox is required

    • The lock or safe must be listed on the California DOJ Firearms Safety Device Roster

  • California Assault Weapon Laws
    California law supersedes federal law regarding assault weapons.
     
    The expiration of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban does not change or remove California’s restrictions on the sale, transfer, or possession of firearms classified as “assault weapons” under state law.

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