Rifle Licensing in CA

[dyeguy65]

i need to know about gun licensing in CA. rifles only really. particularly .22s and .227s

if i even need a license.if i do need one, how much would it be to apply and go through w/e i need to do to get one? any info would be great. thanks

[Pickle]

You looking to sell or buy?

[Glickman]

http://users.erols.com/rjm0222/firearm.htm (http://)
try this place, looks like it may be of help. alot of the restrictions dont mention small arms like .22's

[Army]

If you are buying it new from a gunshop, the Form 4473 is all you will be required to fill out as "registration". It's not an actual registration (technically it is though), as nobody will ever read it unless for a criminal investigation. The gunshop retains all 4473's in house, the Feds and state do NOT have copies. 4473's remain with the FFL holder (gunshop owner) until he relinquishes his FFL, then all records of sales go to the BATFE for storage.

There is NO registration in California for firearms that have not been erroniously classified as "assault weapons". Most .22 rimfire's and all bolt action arms are not classified as so. If the .22 rimfire resembles an AR-15, it may fall under the Roberti-Roos act and must be registered.

Clincher here though, if it wasn't registered before 1 Nov, 2001, you can't posess it in the state. NO EXCEPTIONS.

If you are buying it privately from a friend or family member (or even a gift), you must use an FFL holder (gunshop) and pay a fee (read: TAX!) to transfer ownership. The buyer must also take and pass a firearms knowledge test (another fee, read:TAX!). The buyer cannot be a felon, sex offender, or have been involved in a domestic incident that required the attention of the Police.

This site will give you better details about your situation: http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/


I do not advocate violating the law, but I follow the US Constitution concerning firearms ownership. That's all I'll say about that.

[Destructo6]

As said, there is no registration for rifles in CA with the exception of CA designated "assault weapons" which aren't legal to buy or sell, so it isn't a big problem for a buyer.

.227s
Do you mean .223?

Just be 18 years old or older and bring your CA driver's license to the gun shop.

What specific rifle were you looking at, anyway?

You might root around

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/index.php

and

http://www.thehighroad.org/index.php

[PyRo]

If one were to get a rifle single shot .22 in this case that hasn't been registered, no forms filled out ever would that rifle be legal, or would the receiver have to go fill out some form for it or is it forever illigle?

[dyeguy65]

If one were to get a rifle single shot .22 in this case that hasn't been registered, no forms filled out ever would that rifle be legal, or would the receiver have to go fill out some form for it or is it forever illigle?

basically thats what im asking. a .22 or possibly (what i beleive the guy said was) a .227, but since im not a gun expert (this will be my first rifle...actually first gun with the exception of paintball) it probably is a .223 and i just didnt here right.

Army...that helped alot, except i dont get the "registered before nov 1st 01"? as in, built? or any rifle i buy new now ill have to have licensed? if you could clear that up that would be great.

and as you can tell now, im looking to purchase, not sell. and do i have to be 18 to buy/own it? or 16? i get my license (hopefully) this thursday. so if i need to be 16 (and i am 16) and have my license present i should be good.

if it turns out i can own one, what should i look at getting? quality wise? .22's or .223's. not looking to spend rediculous amounts of money. im just starting the hobby and i dont want to spend that much on something ive never done. im thinkin 250-300 and under.

if theres anything else you think i need to know, please dont hesitate to tell. thanks guys.

[Blennidae]

What Army meant about Nov 1, 01 is regarding "assault rifles" under CA law. If you owned one before that date and wanted to keep it, you had to register it (an additional registration for that type of weapon) before that date. If it wasn't registered by that date, you can no longer lawfully own it. You can't sell it in CA, your only option you have is to GIVE it to a law enforcement agency. Its all spelled out in the link he provided.

Now as for a good "first" .22 rifle, I don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger 10/22. The design has been around for 40 yrs. They are fairly inexpensive (under $200). Out of the box they are pretty good. If you want to spend the money, you can buy all sorts of upgrades for them.