CA-FSC California Firearm Transfer Laws 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When two private parties in California want to transfer a handgun between each other, what is generally required?
- They may transfer directly with a signed bill of sale and witness
- The transfer must be conducted through a licensed California dealer (Correct answer)
- They must notify local law enforcement within 5 days of transfer
- They must obtain a special private transfer permit from the DOJ
Correct answer: The transfer must be conducted through a licensed California dealer
Private party firearm transfers in California must be conducted through a licensed dealer, who processes the DROS and initiates the background check.
Question 2: Which of the following intrafamilial transfers is EXEMPT from the standard dealer transfer process in California?
- Transfer between cousins
- Transfer between siblings
- Transfer between parent and child (Correct answer)
- Transfer between in-laws
Correct answer: Transfer between parent and child
California law exempts transfers between parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, and between registered domestic partners or spouses from the standard dealer transfer requirements.
Question 3: A California resident inherits a firearm from a deceased relative who lived in another state. How must this transfer be handled?
- The heir may take direct possession since inherited property is exempt
- The firearm must be shipped to and transferred through a California licensed dealer (Correct answer)
- The heir must surrender the firearm to local law enforcement for processing
- The heir must obtain a federal import license before taking possession
Correct answer: The firearm must be shipped to and transferred through a California licensed dealer
Firearms inherited from out of state must be shipped to a California licensed dealer, who completes the required DROS documentation before transferring the firearm to the heir.
Question 4: How is the dealer fee for conducting a private party transfer (PPT) regulated in California?
- No fee may be charged for private party transfers
- Dealers may charge a maximum of $10 per firearm by federal law
- California law sets a maximum statutory fee dealers may charge for a PPT (Correct answer)
- Dealers may charge any amount they choose since it is a private service
Correct answer: California law sets a maximum statutory fee dealers may charge for a PPT
California law establishes a statutory maximum fee that licensed dealers may charge for processing a private party transfer, preventing excessive charges.
Question 5: Can a California resident legally loan a handgun to a friend for home protection?
- Yes, for up to 30 days with a written loan agreement
- Yes, if the friend holds a valid Firearm Safety Certificate
- Generally no, with only very narrow exceptions such as immediate danger situations (Correct answer)
- Yes, between any two adults who are both California residents
Correct answer: Generally no, with only very narrow exceptions such as immediate danger situations
Informal handgun loans are generally prohibited in California; a narrow exception exists when a person faces imminent danger and can legally possess a firearm.
Question 6: An out-of-state resident wants to give a firearm as a gift to a California resident. How must this transfer occur?
- The California resident may receive it directly through the U.S. mail
- The firearm must be shipped to a California licensed dealer for proper transfer (Correct answer)
- The out-of-state donor may hand-deliver it at the California state border
- Gift transfers between individuals are always exempt from transfer laws
Correct answer: The firearm must be shipped to a California licensed dealer for proper transfer
Firearms sent as gifts from out of state must be shipped to a California licensed dealer, who then completes the DROS and transfers the firearm to the recipient.
Question 7: Which of the following is exempt from California's one-handgun-per-30-days purchase limit?
- Buying two handguns simultaneously from the same dealer
- Purchasing a handgun at a licensed gun show
- Receiving a handgun through a qualifying intrafamilial transfer (Correct answer)
- Purchasing a handgun through a licensed online seller
Correct answer: Receiving a handgun through a qualifying intrafamilial transfer
Qualifying intrafamilial transfers — such as from parent to child or grandparent to grandchild — are exempt from the one-handgun-per-30-days limitation.
CA-FSC California Firearm Transfer Laws 3
When two private parties in California want to transfer a handgun between each other, what is generally required?