California Law

Steps To Buy A Handgun In California

(Maximum 1 Handgun Per Month Unless Exempt)

1. You must be at least 21 years old with no prohibiting background.

2. You must have a valid California Driver License. No temporary license accepted.

3. You must have a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) (unless exempt). The HSC written test has 30 questions and costs $25.00 ($15.00 State fee and $10.00 Dealer fee).

4. The handgun must be on the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Certified List (unless exempt) or be sold/transferred in a Private-Party Transfer through a CA Dealer.

5. You must provide the Dealer with California Proof of Residency which may be a copy of your utility bill within the last 3 months, rental agreement, DMV registration, etc...

6. You must perform a Safe Handling Demonstration (unless exempt) with the handgun.

7. You must have or buy an approved Safe, Lock Box, Trigger or Gun Lock (unless exempt).

8. You must fill out and sign ATF Form 4473, answer questions and sign the DROS (Dealer's Record of Sale of Firearm), supply a thumbprint, pay the $25.00 State fee and wait 10 days (unless exempt) from the "wait" (transaction Date/Time).

Steps To Buy A Long Gun In California

(No Long-Gun Purchase Limit Per Month)

1. You must be at least age 18 with no prohibiting background: age 21 if pistol-gripped shotgun.

2. You must have a valid California Driver License. No temporary license accepted.

3. You must have or buy an approved Safe, Lock Box, Trigger or Gun Lock (unless exempt).

4. You must fill out and sign ATF Form 4473, answer questions and sign the DROS (Dealer's Record of Sale of Firearm),  supply a thumbprint, pay the $25.00 State fee and wait 10 days (unless exempt) from the "wait" (transaction Date/Time).

Steps To Transfer A Gun In California

Since California unlicensed residents may not sell/transfer firearms to other non-licensees (except for long guns over 50 years old), all such Private-Party Transfers must go through a California Dealer with a state fee of $25.00 and a maximum Dealer fee of $10.00 ($35.00 total). Handguns in these Private-Party Transfers do not have to be on the CA DOJ Certified List.

HANDLE ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY ARE LOADED