Registering Firearms

[daepp]

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?

[HardDrive]

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

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

[Steve F]

Here is a good link to look through

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

[Jim Bremner]

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.

[id10t]

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...

[Porsche-O-Phile]

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. . .

[on2wheels52]

'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

[id10t]

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.

[Joeaksa]

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.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

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.

[on2wheels52]

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

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

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.

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

[red-beard]

I choose not to live in your state