WHAT YOU NEED TO BUY A GUN IN CALIFORNIA:
There are generally two types of firearms you can acquire in California, hand guns (pistols) and long guns (rifles/shotguns). There are several ways to acquire a firearm, these include but are not limited to: purchase, private party transfer (PPT), interfamilial transfer, and inheritance/bequeath.
To legally acquire a firearm in the state of California through a purchase or PPT, the transaction must be performed by a person/business in possession of a valid and active Federal Firearm License (FFL) and a California Firearms Dealer (CFD) certification. Additionally, the transaction must occur on the premises where the FFL/CFD is located.
HANDGUNS:
To acquire a handgun through an FFL/CFD, you must provide:
Valid ID, such as a California Drivers License or Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is best to have the new "Real ID." If you do not have the Real ID, you must present an additional form of ID proving citizenship, such as valid US Passport or Birth Certificate (the name on either must match precisely the name on the ID). Birth Certificates must be issued by the state, a copy is not accepted.
A valid second proof of California residency that includes a Utility Bill (no older than 90 days from the date the gun is delivered to you), Property Deed, Residential Lease, Valid Automobile Registration, Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit, or valid Military ID with proof of duty station. PLEASE NOTE, the name on the proof of residency and the ID in use must match, precisely. Learn more by reading the related California Penal Code.
A valid Firearms Safety Certificate (FSC) along with a successful completion of a safety demonstration on the gun you are acquiring before it is released to you. If you do not have an FSC, the FFL/CFD you are transacting with should be able to provide you with it.
There are FSC exemptions. This is typically a Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit or anything on this list: California DOJ HSC Exemptions List. PLEASE NOTE, a valid hunting license will not exempt you from the FSC requirement for a handgun, the hunting license exemption only works for long guns.
LONG GUNS:
Valid ID, such as a California Driver's License or Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is best to have the new "Real ID." If you do not have the real ID, you must present an additional form of ID proving citizenship, such as valid US Passport or Birth Certificate (the name on either must match precisely the name on the ID). Birth Certificates must be issued by the state, a copy is not accepted.
A valid Firearms Safety Certificate (FSC) along with a successful completion of a safety demonstration on the gun you are acquiring before it is released to you. If you do not have an FSC, the FFL/CFD you are transacting with should be able to provide you with it.
There are FSC exemptions. This is typically a Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit or anything on this list: California DOJ HSC Exemptions List. PLEASE NOTE, a valid hunting license a valid exemption for handguns.
Remember: In California, all legal firearms transactions are recorded via audio and video, and made available to the state by the FFL/CFD upon request from the state. If the state every requests a segment of the recording covering the time period when your transaction was started and completed, and you are not clearly visible - both you and the FFL/CFD could be charged with multiple crimes.
If you have any additional questions related to California gun laws and regulations, you can find a complete list on the California Department of Justice FAQ site: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs
Any information presented and provided on this website is not to be considered as legal advice. For questions related to laws, regulations, and codes, consult an attorney.