California firearms law experts chime in.

[thrown_hammer]

I am moving to Orange County California in June. I have one Steyr M40 handgun with several 10 round magazines. What is the protocol I need to follow? Do I need to register the gun? Where do I do that? I am assuming the Steyr M40 isn’t banned or anything?

[911/914gary]

Refer to the following link.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms

[Tobra]

When I moved to Califronia, I called the Sheriff's Dept and they told me if you did the federal paperwork when you got the weapon, you are good, but I probably should have investigated more

[chibone_914]

When you purchased the firearm, you should have filled out a DROS form that goes to the Dept of Justice for registration of the weapon and background check. You are okay for now.

[red-beard]

He purchased the firearm in another state, so no DROS form.

FWIW - IANAL

You can move any pistols, even if they aren't on the list, but I believe you need to go to a FFL and fill out the regular California paper work. You cannot move "Assualt Weapons" or any fully automatic firearms, even if they are Federally legal. The California definitions of an assualt weapon are listed on the AG's website.

I suggest you contact both the BATFE (Interstate transfer) and the California AG office (CA State registration) for the proper way to transfer the firearms.

[thrown_hammer]

I purchased the gun in Indiana thru an FFL dealer. So all the Federal stuff is in order. I was under the impression there were some "special" California papers I needed to fill out once I got there.

[Steve F]

Here ya go



Frequently Asked Questions - Public




25. I am moving into California and I own several handguns. What are the new-resident registration requirements?
You are considered to be a personal handgun importer as defined by California law. You may bring all of your otherwise California-legal firearms with you, but you must report all of your handguns to the DOJ within 60 days as required utilizing the New Resident Handgun Ownership Report. You are not required to report rifles or shotguns. You may not bring ammunition feeding devices with a capacity greater than ten rounds, machineguns, or assault weapons into California.

(PC sections 12001(n), 12072(f)(2))

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/forms/pdf/ab991frm.pdf

Good luck,Steve

[fastpat]

Consider acquiring these two books, there's otherr weapons that are illegal to possess or own in California besides firearms.

Peace Officers' Guide to California's Dangerous Weapons Laws, unfortunately this one appears to be 8 years old now, and may not have been updated with current law, which if anything are more restrictive. Still, the knife restrictions probably haven't changed much. Yes, I own a copy as should everyone living in CA. This may be an updated version http://www.ecampus.com/book/ .

It's a good idea to get Alan Korwin's book THE CALIFORNIA GUN OWNER'S GUIDE which talks about every aspect of this subject. Alan's books cover other state's as well, see http://www.gunlaws.com/books.htm

[Shuie]

Is the Steyr even on the DOJ approved list? I thought they quit making those before all of that started

edit:
It is on the list until 2007. Does that mean they confiscate them if Steyr doesn't submit a new one for safety testing?

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns.asp

[jyl]

Before you move, consider buying the handguns you want that are not certified by Calif (see list of what is certified, on same AG website linked to earlier).

CA residents cannot buy these new, nor may they be imported into CA for sale, once you are a CA resident the only practical way you can get them is if someone else moves to CA and brings them in as personal property, then later sells them as used guns - which is legal, as long as he's not selling so many that he looks like a business. (There's another way involving an inter-family transfer.)

In my experience, these sorts of guns go in CA for at least 20% over what they sell for in other states. For example, a .40 STI Edge would probably bring $1400-$1600. So if you later decide to sell your non-CA-certified handgun, you won't lose money on it, and may actually make some money.

I'm not saying the profit alone would be enough to bother doing this. But being able to own the guns you want, plus being able to sell it without losing money, would be a nice thing.

Go to www.calguns.net, search for a particular handgun in the FS forum, and get an idea what they go for in CA.

Now that I live in OR, I can buy whatever I want. Unfortunately I'm working too darn much to even think about shooting.

[tabs]

GUNS GUNS GUNS is that all anybody thinks about...

[kycarguy 935]

Saw these bumper stickers at a recent gun show.

"I Got a Gun for My Wife - Best Trade I Ever Made"
"If You Know How Many Guns You Have, You Don't Have Enough"
"If Guns Kill People, Then Spoons Made Rosie O'Donnell Fat."
"`Vegetarian' Is Just an Old Indian Word for `Lousy Hunter'"