SF Bay Area - pls recommend a gun shop

[cantdrv55]

My wife and I have never fired a gun but we’d like to buy one each for protection. Where’s a good place to buy guns, get licensed or whatever and get instruction? Thanks.

[ckissick]

I don't know, as I'm not a gun person. But on the news they mentioned that gun stores in the Bay Area have been ordered to close.

[Brando]

Good luck, as I have read that the state systems for checks are offline or fail repeatedly right now. Your best bet would maybe be to go to a neighboring county and get your HSC, then test and make a purchase there. You'll still have to do the 10 day waiting period if the NICS and other checks clear. Oh yeah, don't forget an ammo license.

[Steve Carlton]

I have no idea if these guys are open right now, but these guys have been outstanding for me.

https://www.29outdoorgear.com/

[ckelly78z]

You may be late to the party, people were leaving empty store ammo shelves last week in most gun stores/big box stores. I'm not sure the registration legal process could be completed, and not likely you could complete CCW classes anytime soon.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I have no idea if these guys are open right now, but these guys have been outstanding for me.

https://www.29outdoorgear.com/

That’s pretty close to me. I’ll give them a call. Thx.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

You may be late to the party, people were leaving empty store ammo shelves last week in most gun stores/big box stores. I'm not sure the registration legal process could be completed, and not likely you could complete CCW classes anytime soon.

You might be right

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by Brando

Good luck, as I have read that the state systems for checks are offline or fail repeatedly right now. Your best bet would maybe be to go to a neighboring county and get your HSC, then test and make a purchase there. You'll still have to do the 10 day waiting period if the NICS and other checks clear. Oh yeah, don't forget an ammo license.

I’m hoping they’ll tell me what I need

[Eric Coffey]

Might be better off buying online, and finding a smaller/home-based FFL in the area to handle the transfer. Finding an online retailers or private-party willing to ship to CA may be a bit of a hurdle, but plenty out there.

FFL finders:

https://www.gunbroker.com/ffl/index

https://www.ffldealernetwork.com/

[cantdrv55]

Thanks Eric

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Might be better off buying online, and finding a smaller/home-based FFL in the area to handle the transfer. Finding an online retailers or private-party willing to ship to CA may be a bit of a hurdle, but plenty out there.

FFL finders:

https://www.gunbroker.com/ffl/index

https://www.ffldealernetwork.com/

Most gun dealers will not ship to CA> too much hassle.

Home based Dealers in CA??? Is that a joke? Mostly they require a store front to be licensed.

CA has gottten what it deserves because it has let the Liberals screw you over.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by tabs

Most gun dealers will not ship to CA> too much hassle.

Reading is fundamental.

Many won't, but plenty will. It's usually those ignorant of the process and/or high-volume dealers that don't want to deal with returns from buyers trying to purchase firearms that are not CA-approved/legal.

Also, dealer purchase is just one option. Lots of private-party sales/sellers out there willing to ship to CA.

Originally Posted by tabs

Home based Dealers in CA??? Is that a joke? Mostly they require a store front to be licensed.

Wrong.

There are plenty of home-based FFL's in CA. I've dealt with (shipped to) several over the years.

[Eric Coffey]

OP:

You might poke around on Calguns.net as well. It's basically the Pelican Parts of CA gun stuff.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

My wife and I have never fired a gun but we’d like to buy one each for protection. Where’s a good place to buy guns, get licensed or whatever and get instruction? Thanks.

I figure there are several firearms safety course around. Even in SF. Take one first. They provide rental guns. And will walk you through the process.

Of course the virus has probably disrupted that as well.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

OP:

You might poke around on Calguns.net as well. It's basically the Pelican Parts of CA gun stuff.

Agreed. Huge community and active. I have bought and sold from their private party sale section for years. No issues. Meet at FFL to close the deal and do the transfer.

Private Firearm Sales - Handguns

[The Synergizer]

I couldn't picture living in a state with such severe gun restrictions and availability.

I'd just go private party.

State of Confusion.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by The Synergizer

I'd just go private party.

Can't do that (legally) in CA. ALL transfers have to go through an FFL.
You can't even buy ammo there now without a background check.

Crazy...

[911/914gary]

Unfortunately you are out of luck in CA. Per our governor’s edict last week gun stores are not considered providing the general public an essential service. Thus they are all closed for the time being. We have 4 stores in Burbank and they are now all closed!

However, just saying, one could order a black powder revolver shipped directly to you with no FFL. And one could order a cartridge conversion cylinder shipped directly to you with no FFL. However mating a cartridge conversion cylinder to a black powder revolver requires the gun to be registered in CA. Being the good citizen you are you will comply. However all the gun store are closed. Oh well.

You will still have the challenge of finding ammunition.

[JavaBrewer]

Not exactly, Turners is still open and selling firearms and related...at least for now and what's left. Obama Era run

[Bill Douglas]

What are you going to buy?

As far as handguns go I'm a huge fan of CZ 75 in 9mm, or if you are left handed the CZ 85.