ppkheat

I have a relative that lives in California, actually in a suburb of LA. He lives alone and doesn't have any gun at all to defend himself. I find myself always on a mission to get new people involved in shooting and promote 2A. I don't know very much about California gun laws, though I'm positive they are more complicated than my state. I've been doing some googling on the subject to help him overcome any hurdles out there. I suppose a trip to a California gun store (do they have gun stores?) would be informative for him about the laws. But I was hoping someone here could give me the "short answer", on the basic process of him buying a handgun in California, or if it's less burdensome, then him buying himself a long gun.

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Scott

Not really a 2A issue, so I moved to General Firearms where it should get more replies.

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Daddy Warcrimes

There is a license, waiting period, 1 gun a month limit for handguns. Long guns less restricted.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/

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Rossman

10 wait period for handguns

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pogo2

The CA Dept. of Justice runs all the CA gun laws, and they have a website with information covering all your questions:

CA DOJ website

ccw9mm

In California, I purchased my first pistol there in 1993. Here's what I did. Had to pass a simple safety/basics test, at the gun shop, as I didn't have proof of having taken a hunter's safety course, had a hunting license, or had proof of any other recent gun course. Bought the gun, came back after the waiting period, then picked it up. Uncertain what is different now, but I don't suppose too much is.

As for being protected in your own home and on your own property: buy a gun, wait until the "waiting" period is over, then take it home. That's it. But if you want to transport it off the property, or go shooting somewhere, or carry it, there are a whole host of hurdles to comply with and be aware of. If you are going to transport it, store it in a locked case in the trunk, separate from any ammo, which for sanity's sake I would simply store in a second, identical locked case. Ran the idea by my local Sheriff and he said that'll do it. (Uncertain what the "minimum" requirement is, but I'd bet it's simply separate storage and that it's locked.)

As for carrying it, transporting it in the car, where you can have it loaded even though you don't have a CHL and other questions ... definitely check the Calif. DOJ link above. I strongly recommend acquiring a copy of John Machtinger's book: How To Own A Gun & Stay Out Of Jail: California Edition. It's a must-have for a newby pistol purchaser. While still written in wording closer to lawyer-ese than not, it covers the laws and helps make sense of them. Given all the potholes California energetically digs at the feet of prospective handgun owners, it might be worth first taking a course in his area that focuses on firearms laws/rights of Californians, as opposed to a basic safety type course. Check with the Sheriff for suggestions on any recommended folks in the area who do such training.

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njeske

I just moved from CA six months ago, and I purchased several guns while I lived there.

Currently, you have to pass a test to get a Handgun Safety Card that is good for 5 years. Any time you want to buy a handgun you have to present that card. The test was extremely easy, all common sense questions. Neither my wife nor I studied and we both got 50/50.

Currently there are many handguns that are not available in CA since all gun models to be sold have to be submitted for safety testing to CA DOJ. As of this year, all new submissions must include a magazine disconnect safety to pass inspection. As such, it would appear that a lot fewer guns will be added to the "Approved for Sale" list at the CA DOJ website. Luckily, any gun that's already passed does not need to requality as long as the manufacturer does what they need to do to make sure their qualification doesn't expire.

The last hurdle is the waiting period. CA law requires a 10 day waiting purchase on all firearm purchases.

So basically, he just needs to take the test at just about any gun shop, select the gun he wants, and then wait 10 days. After that he should be good to go. Make sure to pass onto your friend that if he's willing to move to Orange County or Kern County, a CCW permit will be relatively easy to get ahold of as well. :)

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aus71383

I bought a gun there a few days ago - its just a 10 day waiting period. Nothing else. Not a big deal at all...

Austin

ppkheat

Thanks for all the replies and helpful information. He'll be coming here for a visit during Thanksgiving and I intend to take him shooting and encourage him to buy a gun for himself when he gets back to California. If he has some concerns, I'll have some answers.

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Dusty Miller

There is a requirement that you have either a gun safe for a gun lock and if its the safe then they want the serial number.