Q&A for How to Buy Firearms in California

To obtain a Class 3 firearm license in California, you need to make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements set by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), including being at least 21 years old and having a clean criminal record. Then, obtain the necessary application forms from the ATF, complete them accurately, and submit them along with fingerprint cards, passport-style photos, and the required application fee. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to attend an interview and provide additional documentation. After submission, the ATF will review your application; this process can take several weeks to months. If approved, you'll receive your Class 3 FFL, but remember to comply with all federal, state, and local regulations associated with the license, including renewal requirements.

Take your tax return forms with a permanent address (not a P.O. Box).

As long as you have a California approved gun lock, you're good to go. A gun safe is certainly more secure, however.

No. I just walked into the dealer and took the test. No studying as the answers to the questions were all just common sense. I got 100%.

Yes, you can buy a rifle, a hand gun, and even a shotgun all in the same day.

No wait time. Only handguns are limited to 1 new purchase every 30 days. Private Party Transfers are exempt from the 1 in 30 rule.

If you have a bank, you can ask to receive statements via mail so that you have mail with your name on it. That should cover you.

Just Google "California handgun restrictions" and you should be able to discern the laws.

You don't need to be admitted to a mental institution in order to get medication for anxiety and/or depression. The medication is prescribed to you by your doctor and will show up in your medical record.

Take it to an authorized gun dealer and have it registered. It will cost money.

Go try to buy one, you won't get any answers without contacting CA DOJ first. Even then, they may not tell you. Have you committed a felony or violent crime? If so, assume you cannot buy a firearm in CA.

Yes, guns are transferable between legal partners as long as the recipient's mental/physical state is not in the list of prohibited categories which can be found on your state's website for gun laws. (The list includes things like incompetence, insanity, proven unsafe, etc.)

No, it must be completed in person.

Most gun stores offer the test. Go to your local gun store and ask them. It costs $25.00 and requires a Valid CA DL or CA ID

If you have a license, you're fine. Otherwise, you will need to get one in order to lawfully own the gun.

The person receiving the handgun will need a license. If he does have a license and you do all the paperwork, then you should be fine.

California tends to be a very liberal state, and liberal voters are generally more in favor of strict gun laws than more conservative voters.

As long as you don't have a violent crime on your record or documented mental health issues, you should be able to get a gun.

Yes, but you will have to ensure that your spouse does not have access to the weapon at any point in time, both in and out of the home.

You'll have to stop by the county sheriff's office, they have the paperwork and issue the permit.

For handguns, yes. There's no wait time for rifles. You could buy one hand gun every 30 days.

No, unfortunately you cannot do this.

Passport will not work. Documents must have a physical address on them (not a PO box). Passport has neither.

Because rifles and shotguns are also used for hunting, and because handguns are easily concealed and, therefore, more dangerous.

No, you would need to still take the test to make sure you legally obtain the guns.

Unfortunately, a new California law raised the age of buying rifles and shotguns to 21.

1. If you buy a gun over the internet from a FFL license holder, you have to go through a background check and the gun will get shipped to the nearest FFL dealer. 2. If you buy an online gun from any seller in any state, they must ship it again to the nearest FFL dealer. You must pass a background check before picking up gun. 3. Check out an ad posted by private seller then meet up in person. No background check unless in certain states, though check your state laws; California, for example, requires background checks on all private sales.

Technically, yes. Legally, it's probably not the best idea. This is known as the "Private Seller Loophole." Based on your state, there are different regulations when a private seller is selling any firearm or gun. Some states require certain background checks and requirements to be fulfilled before purchasing a gun from a private seller. Because a family member is giving it to you as a gift, then you wouldn't need a background check. However, get a license and make sure you are old enough to operate a firearm.