Transferring Handgun to CA resident-to-be

BattleRifleG3 · 01-30-2008, 09:17 PM

Ok, here's the scenario:

A has a handgun. A wants to give B the handgun. B is moving to California for reasons related to the US military. B is not currently serving in the US military. A and B are both over 21 years of age.

In A and B's current state, a handgun transfer outside of immediate family must go through an FFL.

What would be involved in each of these scenarios:
1.) A transfers handgun to B in current state. B moves to CA with handgun unloaded in locked container.
2.) B moves to CA. A arranges for an FFL to send handgun to dealer in CA to transfer to B.

I'm vaguely aware of CA needing pistols to be on an "approved" list. The handgun is a Bersa 380, which I believe is on that list. Neither A nor B knows exactly what must be done for a CA resident to purchase and continue to own a handgun. When B reaches CA, time will probably pass before residence changes are made official and driver's licenses are replaced.

SilverRun · 01-30-2008, 09:35 PM

I would suggest A transfer to B before he moves - find your local FFL that will do it for cheap.

Next, I would suggest B try get reassigned to duty withing the United States - travel to other countries with firearms is a pain (Yes, I did understand you said California).

Cyrano · 01-30-2008, 11:50 PM

We need to get Troy2000 in on this; he lives in California and owns handguns. However, this is a link to the California Attorney General's website and you should be able to dig out the info from here:

Handgun Safety Certificate Program - Bureau of Firearms - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

From what I can tell, the first step is for B to get a Handgun Safety Certificate, which means passing a course that sounds suspiciously like the NRA Basic Pistol course. After you have the certificate, I think you can legally own a handgun. Concealed carry is of course a whole 'nother issue.

If you are right that the pistol is a Bersa .380, B probably is allowed to own it. In any event, the Attorney General website has a section that will allow you to search makers and models to show what pistols are legal there and which are not.

As far as getting it there, my opinion is to do the FFL-to-FFL route and pay the fees. It's a big fat pain and it costs, but it's surely legal; and we want to keep it legal, don't we? In a sane state, if B were found out to own it and had just moved there, the police would probably tell him to get down to the police station or the county courthouse and get his pistol permit; in other words, because he'd just moved in they would cut him some slack. But in California, home to Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi and with some of the most restrictive laws in the nation on the books, it's better to pay the money and not take the chance of either having the pistol confiscated or B arrested, or both.

Shaun · 01-31-2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverRun

I would suggest A transfer to B before he moves - find your local FFL that will do it for cheap.
Next, I would suggest B try get reassigned to duty withing the United States - travel to other countries with firearms is a pain (Yes, I did understand you said California).

I agree here commiefornia is another country. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the principles of communism

Dale · 01-31-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

Ok, here's the scenario:
A has a handgun. A wants to give B the handgun. B is moving to California for reasons related to the US military. B is not currently serving in the US military. A and B are both over 21 years of age.

If B is"moving to California for reasons related to the US military" but "B is not currently serving in the US military" I fail to see the relevance of that at all.

So, the statement should be "A wants to give B a handgun. A and B are over 21 years of age." Military status has nothing to do with it.

To me it's one person transferring a handgun to another in one state. If the initial transfer is legal and if the receiving person moves to another state then it is on him/her to comply with the new residency state's laws. It's off "A"'s shoulders altogether.

BattleRifleG3 · 01-31-2008, 05:36 PM

Only reason military service was referenced was that B wouldn't move to CA by choice.

What I suppose it boils down to is what a new resident to CA needs to do to bring in handguns that they already own. If this is worse than shipping to a CA FFL, then shipping it will go.

Depending on any government agency cutting slack with regards to firearms is not an option.

Dale · 01-31-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

Only reason military service was referenced was that B wouldn't move to CA by choice.
What I suppose it boils down to is what a new resident to CA needs to do to bring in handguns that they already own. If this is worse than shipping to a CA FFL, then shipping it will go.
Depending on any government agency cutting slack with regards to firearms is not an option.

Oh, I gotcha now, BR.

I don't know California state guns laws that well.

Sorry.

01-30-2008, 09:17 PM	#1
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,454 Images: 13	Transferring Handgun to CA resident-to-be Ok, here's the scenario: A has a handgun. A wants to give B the handgun. B is moving to California for reasons related to the US military. B is not currently serving in the US military. A and B are both over 21 years of age. In A and B's current state, a handgun transfer outside of immediate family must go through an FFL. What would be involved in each of these scenarios: 1.) A transfers handgun to B in current state. B moves to CA with handgun unloaded in locked container. 2.) B moves to CA. A arranges for an FFL to send handgun to dealer in CA to transfer to B. I'm vaguely aware of CA needing pistols to be on an "approved" list. The handgun is a Bersa 380, which I believe is on that list. Neither A nor B knows exactly what must be done for a CA resident to purchase and continue to own a handgun. When B reaches CA, time will probably pass before residence changes are made official and driver's licenses are replaced. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

01-30-2008, 09:35 PM	#2
SilverRun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,666	I would suggest A transfer to B before he moves - find your local FFL that will do it for cheap. Next, I would suggest B try get reassigned to duty withing the United States - travel to other countries with firearms is a pain (Yes, I did understand you said California). __________________ "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." - Alexander Hamilton

01-31-2008, 05:36 PM	#6
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,454 Images: 13	Only reason military service was referenced was that B wouldn't move to CA by choice. What I suppose it boils down to is what a new resident to CA needs to do to bring in handguns that they already own. If this is worse than shipping to a CA FFL, then shipping it will go. Depending on any government agency cutting slack with regards to firearms is not an option. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

01-30-2008, 11:50 PM	#3
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,993	We need to get Troy2000 in on this; he lives in California and owns handguns. However, this is a link to the California Attorney General's website and you should be able to dig out the info from here: Handgun Safety Certificate Program - Bureau of Firearms - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General From what I can tell, the first step is for B to get a Handgun Safety Certificate, which means passing a course that sounds suspiciously like the NRA Basic Pistol course. After you have the certificate, I think you can legally own a handgun. Concealed carry is of course a whole 'nother issue. If you are right that the pistol is a Bersa .380, B probably is allowed to own it. In any event, the Attorney General website has a section that will allow you to search makers and models to show what pistols are legal there and which are not. As far as getting it there, my opinion is to do the FFL-to-FFL route and pay the fees. It's a big fat pain and it costs, but it's surely legal; and we want to keep it legal, don't we? In a sane state, if B were found out to own it and had just moved there, the police would probably tell him to get down to the police station or the county courthouse and get his pistol permit; in other words, because he'd just moved in they would cut him some slack. But in California, home to Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi and with some of the most restrictive laws in the nation on the books, it's better to pay the money and not take the chance of either having the pistol confiscated or B arrested, or both.