How to Buy a Gun in San Diego

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To buy a gun in San Diego, California, you must visit a licensed firearms dealership and present your Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC), which proves you can safely handle and operate a handgun. By California law, you must wait 10 days as part of the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) process before you can take the handgun home. You can then revisit the licensed firearms dealership within 30 days, and demonstrate to the dealer that you know how to use the handgun you have purchased. If you do not have an HSC, you can obtain one by visiting any licensed firearms dealership and passing the Handgun Safety Certificate Test with a score of 75 percent of higher. You can then present your HSC to any licensed firearms dealer to purchase a handgun.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Handgun Safety Certificate

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    You must be at least 21 years of age, be a resident of California, and have a valid California drivers license or identification card. [1]
    • If you are 18 years of age, you can still receive an HSC, but you will only have the ability to buy a rifle or shotgun.
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    The study guide will help prepare you for the test to receive your HSC, and can either be downloaded from the Internet or be found at any firearms dealership. [2]
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    In order to receive the HSC, you must pass the test with a score of at least 75 percent.
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    The testing fee is 25 dollars (18 euros) and allows you to take the test up to 2 times, if needed. [3]
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    After you have passed the test, you will receive your HSC, which is valid for 5 years.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Buying a Gun

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    The firearms dealer will need verification that you qualify to buy a gun. [4]
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    Upon selecting your gun, the firearms dealer will verify your documents and begin the DROS process.
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    The DROS process requires you to wait at least 10 days before you can take your handgun home. You will then be required to demonstrate to the dealer that you can safely operate the handgun you purchased. [5]
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  • Question
    How do I register a gun?
    Community Answer
    You have to contact your local police department, and find out the requirements for owning a gun. You may need to have special certifications, and there will likely be a class you have to take before you can register for a permit.
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  • Question
    Do Marine Corps vets have to take the test?
    Joshua Charite
    Community Answer
    Yes, a paper test and a physical one.
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      Tips

      • The HSC you obtain from San Diego is valid in every other town and city in the state of California. The DROS procedure to buy a handgun will also be identical everywhere within California.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fscpfaqs#8G
      2. ↑ https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/hscsg.pdf
      3. ↑ https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fscpfaqs#8G
      4. ↑ https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/dlrfaqs
      5. ↑ https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/dlrfaqs

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