FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate California Sales and Transfers Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is California's "Handgun Roster" (also known as the Unsafe Handgun Act roster)?
- A list of handguns stolen in California
- A DOJ-maintained list of handguns approved for sale by licensed dealers in California, based on safety testing criteria (Correct answer)
- A list of prohibited handgun designs such as zip guns
- A registry of all handguns owned by California residents
Correct answer: A DOJ-maintained list of handguns approved for sale by licensed dealers in California, based on safety testing criteria
California's Unsafe Handgun Act requires that handguns sold by licensed dealers be listed on the CA DOJ's Roster of Certified Handguns. To be listed, handguns must meet specific safety requirements including drop testing and (for newer models) microstamping. Handguns not on the roster cannot be sold by dealers to the general public, though there are exceptions for law enforcement and private party transfers of pre-roster guns.
Question 2: What is a "straw purchase" of a firearm?
- Buying a firearm with cash to avoid a paper trail
- When someone legally eligible to buy a firearm purchases it on behalf of a prohibited person or third party — a federal felony (Correct answer)
- A purchase made at a gun show without a background check
- Buying a firearm using a relative's credit card
Correct answer: When someone legally eligible to buy a firearm purchases it on behalf of a prohibited person or third party — a federal felony
A straw purchase occurs when a person who can legally purchase a firearm does so as a proxy for someone who cannot — either a prohibited person or someone who does not want their name on the paperwork. It is a federal felony under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6) (making a false statement on Form 4473). The "straw purchaser" and the true buyer both commit a crime.
Question 3: How does California's APPS (Armed Prohibited Persons System) protect public safety?
- It provides firearm discounts for approved applicants
- It is a database that cross-references persons who legally purchased firearms with persons who later become prohibited, enabling law enforcement to recover firearms from prohibited persons (Correct answer)
- It approves and licenses private security guards to carry firearms
- It issues special permits for high-capacity magazine possession
Correct answer: It is a database that cross-references persons who legally purchased firearms with persons who later become prohibited, enabling law enforcement to recover firearms from prohibited persons
The APPS (Armed Prohibited Persons System) is a California DOJ database that identifies persons who have legally acquired firearms and subsequently become prohibited (due to felony conviction, mental health commitment, etc.). California DOJ agents use APPS to conduct operations to recover firearms from these individuals, preventing prohibited persons from retaining legally purchased guns.
Question 4: What must a California resident do if they move into the state and bring firearms with them?
- Nothing is required — federal law preempts state registration requirements
- They must report their firearm(s) to the CA DOJ within 60 days of bringing them into California using the New Resident Firearm Report form (Correct answer)
- They must surrender the firearms at the state border for inspection
- They must sell them to a California dealer and repurchase California-approved models
Correct answer: They must report their firearm(s) to the CA DOJ within 60 days of bringing them into California using the New Resident Firearm Report form
New California residents who bring firearms into the state must report those firearms to the CA DOJ within 60 days using the New Resident Report of Firearms Ownership form. This is required by California Penal Code Section 26840. Failure to report is a misdemeanor. This is separate from the DROS process, which applies to new purchases.
Question 5: Can a California resident legally lend a firearm to a friend for target shooting at a supervised range?
- No, any transfer of a firearm requires a background check
- Yes, temporary loans for target shooting at a supervised shooting range are a recognized exception to the general transfer requirements (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only if the friend holds a valid FSC
- No, only immediate family members may borrow firearms
Correct answer: Yes, temporary loans for target shooting at a supervised shooting range are a recognized exception to the general transfer requirements
California law provides specific exceptions to the general rule requiring all transfers to go through a dealer. One exception allows temporary loans at a supervised target range or shooting event. The firearm owner must be present and the firearm must be used for legal sporting purposes only. This exception does not apply to ongoing possession away from the range.
Question 6: Under California law, what is required before a licensed dealer delivers a purchased firearm to the buyer?
- Only the FSC test must be passed — the waiting period may be waived for FSC holders
- The buyer must have passed the FSC, cleared the DROS background check, and the mandatory 10-day waiting period must have elapsed (Correct answer)
- The buyer must attend a one-hour safety demonstration at the dealership
- The buyer must provide references from two California residents who are not related to them
Correct answer: The buyer must have passed the FSC, cleared the DROS background check, and the mandatory 10-day waiting period must have elapsed
Before a licensed California dealer can deliver a firearm, three requirements must be met: (1) the buyer must present a valid Firearm Safety Certificate, (2) the DROS background check through CA DOJ must be approved, and (3) the mandatory 10-day waiting period must have elapsed. Holding an FSC does not waive the waiting period for general purchasers.
FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate California Sales and Transfers Questions and Answers 3
What is California's "Handgun Roster" (also known as the Unsafe Handgun Act roster)?