California Gun Laws
According to California law, all firearm sales, gun show sales, loans,
and transfers must go through a licensed California firearms dealer.
This also includes the private sale of firearms. This process involves
the licensed dealer to provide an application for transfer or sale
before the firearm can be obtained. Along with a completed application,
sufficient California identification or California driver's license
must be provided along with a thumbprint. Additional proof of
California residency must also be provided before sale. A copy of the
application will then be sent to the California Department of Justice
and the local chief of police.
The Department of Justice will then perform a background check on the
prospective buyer for a certain fee. Ten days after the background
check has been completed, the firearm will be delivered. Firearm
dealers keep files of all firearm transfers. The firearm possession
process from a dealer to a buy must be completed within thirty days or
the purchasing process will need to be repeated.
Only one application for the purchase of a concealed revolver, pistol,
or other firearm can be made within a thirty-day time period. No
delivery can be made to an individual who has an application to
purchase more than one firearm capable of being concealed in that time
period. All those who transfer or purchase a handgun to another
individual must have a Handgun Safety Certificate.
Waiting Period
A certain amount of time must be waited for the transfer of a firearm.
In most circumstances it is ten days, but in particular cases a dealer
application and the waiting period does not apply. These include other
gun dealers, transfer to police officers, manufacturers, importers,
infrequent gifts or transfer to an immediate family, infrequent
temporary loan that shall not exceed thirty days, the transfer of a
rifle or shotgun at auctions by public or nonprofit benefit
corporations, and antique firearms, rifles, and shotguns that are
classified through the federal government as relics or curios.
California Firearm Rights
California law states that anyone who has been convicted of a felony,
anyone who is addicted to drugs, anyone who has been or currently is a
mental patient, anyone who has even been committed for mental
observation, or anyone who has been acquitted for reason of insanity
may not possess or own any form of firearm. Firearms cannot be
possessed within ten years by those who have been charged with specific
misdemeanors that involve violence or force.
An adjudicated juvenile offender or delinquent for any offense
classified as a felony or misdemeanor due to violence or force may not
own or possess a firearm until the age of thirty. No minor may posses a
handgun without written permission or parental or guardian supervision.
Any minor under the age of sixteen may not possess a handgun unless
given written permission or accompanied by a parent or guardian while
legally participating in recreational activity.
A felony conviction in California that did not result in a prison
sentence, may allow an individual to have firearm rights restored if
the conviction is reduced to pursuant Penal Code 17B.