Who knows the process to purchase Firearms and ammunition?

March 2024

Have you had an itch to buy a new firearm, or maybe you haven’t purchased ammo in several years. Changes have taken place in CA. Here, I will cover this topic to alleviate the confusion. The Ca department of Justice regulates firearms and ammunition purchases in the state of California. This topic is specific to California purchases only.

To get started, you have to pick out a retail store as all purchase are required to happen at a licensed physical location. What do you need to get started? Well, see the following list of items.

·       A CA driver license or CA ID card. It must be valid and not expired. If you have the “Real ID” you will not need the next listed item.

·       If your ID/DL shows “Federal limits apply” on it, then you will also need either a birth certificate or valid pass port. If you have had a name change you will also need any and all trailing court documents. The name change only applies to the use of a birth certificate. If you have a valid passport and it matches you driver license or ID that is sufficient.

·       Another document you can typically get at the retailer you are going to purchase from. A firearm safety certificate.This card is issued by a CA certified instructor. (All firearm shops have to have at least one person trained as the firearm release instructions require a sign off by an instructor). There are alternative documents such as a CCW (Concealed carry permit) or active law enforcement and active military. This list is not conclusive as there may be other exemptions, but first time buyers typically will just get the firearm safety certificate. Most stores can provide you the online resource for the study of the test. A simple google search for DOJ FSC will show a link with the CA DOJ study guide on one of the first few hits.

·       A second form of identification proving you are a ca resident. This can be a government issued document with an expiration date that is valid. (examples are car registration, hunting/fishing license, alternative government ID). Other documents such as utility service for your residence that has on-site delivery. (examples are power utility, water utility, trash service, cable/satellite tv utility, phone/internet utility). Mortgage Statement will also suffice. The document must bear on it, your name as well as the physical address you reside at.

With the documents above in hand, (with the exception of the firearm safety certificate (FSC) as you may get this at the firearm retailer) you can now go to the retailer. A few pointers from the perspective of a store owner. Make sure the firearm you choose to purchase, is of the appropriate caliber you are comfortable with and make sure the firearm fits your hands comfortably. Make sure you ask any and all questions you may have. I know how intimidating this can be, especially if you go to a store and get someone who talks down to you and makes you feel incompetent. Be sure to check out other stores if you get that vibe that someone just isn’t working with you and doesn’t make you feel comfortable to ask questions. Know that you usually have options of other stores.

A few things to know, CA does have a background check and at this time (March 2024), the fee is $37.19. The background check has a 10 day waiting period. Some instances, during the background check, a 30 day hold can be placed on your release by the state. The hold does not mean you did anything wrong, the state just has the power to extend the background check up to 30 days from the date and time you started the purchase. This does not happen all the time, but it can happen to anyone.

Once you have waited your 10 day period, and yes the 10 days is a full ten 24 hour periods. If you Start your paperwork at 10:05 am, it will not be released from the dealer to the purchaser until 10:05 am 10 days later. You then get to complete the paperwork, sign off on the safety instruction and take your new firearm home. It is always recommended to seek additional training after purchase.

Next up is ammunition, what is needed here. For starters, you need to be a California resident and own at least one registered firearm. One thing to note, for new owners who just purchased a firearm and had completed the waiting period, are eligible to purchase ammo. See the following list to help you determine in you qualify.

·       CA resident with one owned and registered firearm for the instant $1 verification check.

·       Address should be your current address (if you bought a firearm and moved, there is a process to update the registry). The registry does not automatically update and will be linked to the address at the time of purchase.

·       CA ID or driver license. “if it shows federal limits apply”, you will need your birth certificate along with any name change documents or a valid passport.

·       If you do not own a firearm, CA does offer another check, for an additional cost and it could take up to 10 days to be cleared for a one time purchase of ammunition.

How do I know if my firearm is even registered? Well, if you purchased a long gun, and it was purchased after January 1 2014, it should be in the system under the address you resided at the time of purchase, unless you updated the registry if/when you moved.

Handguns/pistols, should be in the database for any purchase after 2006, but again will be tied only to the address at the time of purchase unless you updated the registry if you had moved.

A special note, if you only have one firearm registered in your name, and you sell it to someone else following the legal CA private party process, this will release your ties to ownership. This also means you can not purchase ammunition with the instant check system after that day.

I hope this helps someone with the process.

JP,