Registering Firearms
 

Does anyone have a clear understanding of the law with respect to registering handguns, rifles and shotguns?

For example, if I buy a shotgun from a private party - in person - am I required to register it? And is there a database where I can check the serial # to see if it's stolen?

And then, if it's required to be registered, is it actually done?

Laws are dependant on your state, and in some cases city.

Good place to start: http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/

Here is a good link to look through :)

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/

For us in California, we cannot buy a firearm face to face UNLESS it's over 50 years old.

You'll need to go to a gunstore to transfer your firearms, and waith 15 days.

No such thing as federal registration, everything else is state level. Here in Fl, nothing need be done, but if I were to sell to an individual I'd get DL info at least...

It's a nightmare. Check with your local gun shop/broker. The laws on this subject have gotten so convoluted due to federal, state and local restrictions (and they're constantly changing to boot) the lawyers even have a hard time keeping up. A call to your local PD might be worthwhile also. . .

'No such thing as federal registration'
I would have said it was all on the federal level, at least on the initial sale of a new firearm.
I'm never really sure about what to say when people come in and ask me about registering a gun they have. It's possible some individual states have a separate registration database but I have no experience with any.
To me the white (used to be yellow) form 4473 that is filled out when a firearm changes hands at a licensed gun shop is the registration.
fwiw, I am also the keeper of record of the 1000 guns I transfer/year. In 24 years I have a stack of 4473's that go to the ceiling.
Jim

on2wheels52 - thing with the 4473 is that there is no central repository. BATFE can get specific ones regarding a specific case, but *you* are the keeper of those records until they are over 20 years old or you give up your FFL ... Hence, no registration. Now if you had to send a copy of each one as they are completed, that would be registration.

Anyone who buys a firearm from a private party and messes with the paperwork is sure not helping anyone out. As long as you are a law abiding citizen there should not be anything wrong with buying something like this and not telling the state or govt a damm thing.

+1

If you are both law abiding citizens, just do the transaction and don't tell the ****** state of California a damn thing.

id
Exactly my position. The system for "registering" firearms is nothing like vehicle registration. A lot of folks think it's similar.
On the other side I get the rambos who say they won't buy any 'registered' guns from me.
Jim

in theory yes, in reality you may get some nice, shiney new braclets with this mindset, depending on what state you live in.

I choose not to live in your state