If you are considering enrolling in a firearm training course in California, it would be better to know the gun laws in CA for better firearm usage.
Before taking the firearms training for beginners course, you must understand that the gun laws in California govern the sales, use, and possession of ammunition and firearms in the US state of California.
The California-based gun laws are quite restrictive. For purchasing any firearm, you have to comply with the stipulated gun regulations.
California Gun Laws: A Brief
1) Firearm Purchase State Permits
To purchase a firearm in California, you have to approach a dealer. More so, you will need a Firearms safety certificate (FSC) to purchase a firearm in CA. Also, you require proof of residency if you're not part of the military forces, or other groups, as specified in the Penal Code Section 830.
To get your Firearm safety certificate in the Bay area, you must score a minimum of 75% percent on the FSC exam. This exam covers gun safety rules and basic firearm regulations.
2) Firearm Registration
The firearms Training in Southern California familiarizes pupils about how the California Department of Justice maintains a database of all firearm sales and imports. Such records have the names and other requisite details of seller and purchaser, too.
Although California residents are not required to register handguns owned before 1991 with law enforcement, but §12025 and §12031 intensify certain misconduct offenses to felonies if the firearm is not recorded in the DOJ's Automated Firearms System. New residents must register handguns (purchased outside of California) with DOJ within 60 days. From January 1, 2014, long gun serial numbers are also noted, while initially, only the sale of handguns was recorded. However, the owners of long guns purchased before 2014 are not required to register their firearms.
3) Firearm Owner License
Although you need a Firearm Safety Certificate for buying new firearms, you're exempted from applying for a firearms license CA or permit if you already possess a firearm.
Even if you already have a California handgun safety certificate, you need an FSC to purchase long guns after 1st January 2015. Nonetheless, an FSC suffices to buy both long guns and handguns.
4) Dangerous Weapon Permit
Dangerous weapons and .50 BMG rifles are illegal to possess, import, or purchase except if acquired by the owner before June 1, 1989.
Furthermore, as part of the firearms safety training CA course, you will learn that a person can open carry a long gun or handgun if they perceive danger to their lives or property.
5) Large-capacity magazine ban
With very few exemptions, California law bans any person from manufacturing, importing, selling, giving, lending, buying, or receiving a large capacity magazine that could hold more than 10 rounds.
6) Firearm Vehicle Carry Law
If you're looking to carry a concealed handgun in your motor vehicle, you need a valid California Concealed Weapons License. Else, you should unload your handguns and assault weapons and keep them locked in a case during transportation.
The firearm training schools in CA will further explain that to transport long guns that do not come under assault weapons in a vehicle. You have to unload them. Also, locking the firearms is not mandatory in such cases.
7) Firearm Waiting Period
As part of the CA firearms safety course, the students are also made aware of the 10-day waiting period for firearm acquisitions. Moreover, the federal and state firearm license holders are responsible for conducting the private sales, transfers, and purchases of all firearms in the California state. This means that gun purchasers have to wait for 10 days after buying the guns for their possession.
8) Firearm Private Sales Law
In private party firearm transfers, a licensed dealer manages such transactions. Additionally, as per the federal law, they have to carry out background checks and maintain sales records.
9) Firearms Confiscation Law
The police or a person's family member can ask a judge to seize the firearms of a person who is a threat to them or others for up to one year. Furthermore, such orders from out of the California state are also permissible.
Besides, as per the 1st September 2020 ruling, the court allows eligible petitioners to include school teachers, employees, coworkers, and employers. The Court has increased the firearm confiscation duration to extend up to a maximum of 5 years.
10) Firearm Ammunition Purchase Law
Following July 1, 2019, all ammunition purchases must have an "ammunition purchase authorization" from the California DOJ and must be made through a licensed ammunition dealer. There is also a ban on online and mail-order sales of ammunition thereby requiring all transactions to go through a storefront physically located inside California.
11) Building Firearms at home
Following July 1, 2018, any person who wants to manufacture a firearm needs to appeal to the California DOJ for a serial number and use that serial number, once issued, to the gun within ten days.
For more information about Gun Laws in different states of USA, please refer to this website.
About 360 FST
360 Firearms Safety Training provides you with the superior quality of firearms training in Southern California. Our courses are carefully created to suit shooters from all experience levels and are flexible to match our student’s needs. We are certified to administer the California Firearms Safety Certificate (FSC).
Book an appointment with us to get started for a beginner’s Firearms Class in California.