California Gun Laws

Moving to California with guns

People who are used to keeping guns in the home for self-defense, professional hunters, or people whose profession involves guns should be familiar with the laws regarding california guns when planning to move to a new state. Before moving to a new state by people whose hobbies or jobs involve the use of firearms, you need to find out in advance can you carry a gun in California or if it is prohibited in the state. Each state has its own rules regarding the acquisition and use of firearms, so gun laws in california may differ markedly from those in the original state. There are several requirements that you must adhere to when transporting your gun in the state. Read below tips for Moving to California with guns. These requirements are generally based on the kind of gun you’re transporting, like:

• A handgun that you can conceal
• A gun that you cannot conceal
• An assault rifle

1. Travelling with Handguns

To be able to transport a handgun in your car legally, make sure your handgun is:

• Unloaded
• Secured in a gun locker storage or locked inside your car’s trunk
• Not concealed inside your car

A handgun usually includes semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, and small firearms that come with a pistol grip.

2. Travelling with Non-Concealable Guns

For non-concealable firearms, the rule is to keep the gun unloaded when you transport it. As per the local law, some non-concealable firearms are not required to be placed in a locker. The guns included in non-concealable firearms are long guns, shotguns, carbines, rifles, submachine guns, and centerfire rifles.

3. Travelling with Assault Weapons

As of now, carrying or transporting an assault weapon is illegal in the state of California (with very limited exceptions).
According to the state’s firearms law, the transportation of assault weapons can only be done by certain individuals including:

• A gun owner who has the rifle as private property.
• A licensed dealer whose job is to service and repair the guns.
• A person transporting someone else’s assault weapon, but with the permission of the weapon’s owner.
• A licensed shooting club.
• Projects recognized or organized by a firearms organization.

For a detailed understanding of gun transportation rules in California, you can head over to the website of the State of California’s Department of Justice (DOJ).

California GUN REGISTRATION

All firearms must be licensed, so it's important to know how to get a gun license in California when you're moving to a new place, and is it legal to own a gun there? Find out which california gun license you need if you need to purchase a gun in a new state for work or personal use. Before moving, it is very important to know in advance California gun registration. According to the state’s firearm laws, anyone who brings a gun in the state is a “personal firearm importer.” In other words, as a firearm owner, you are required to perform one of the following steps within two months of moving to California:

• Fill out the New Resident Report of Firearm Ownership (BOF 4010A) and submit it to the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms. The application includes a $19 fee.
• Transfer or sell the gun or firearm to the state’s police department.
• Transfer or sell the gun or firearm to a licensed firearms dealer in the state.

If you choose to retain your firearms, make sure you acquire the California Firearm Safety Certificate and also get a gun permit.
In case you decide to transfer or sell your gun to the police department, make sure you first approach a law agency to gather the instructions involved for the process.

How to Get a Gun License in California

If you’re planning to move to California with weapons, it’s important to understand the state’s gun laws. How to get a gun license in Сalifornia? In comparison to other states, the gun laws here are quite tricky. Even if you have permission for the ownership of firearms like a small handgun, rifle, or others from another state, it will not be eligible in California because it does not honor other state licenses. For this reason, you need to understand how to get your gun license.
In California, the equivalent of a gun license is what you call, a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license. A concealed carry permit makes you eligible to carry a small handgun with you. While you don’t require a specific gun license to buy a gun in California, it is recommended to get your Personal Firearms Eligibility Check (PFEC) and your Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license. These valuable documents are proof that you are an eligible firearms owner and you can use your gun.
If your next question is, “how old do you have to be to buy a gun in California?” here’s the answer: you need to be over 21 years old to buy a gun in California.
Read along to know procedure of obtaining a concealed carry permit in California.

California firearm permit

In order to move to another state with your gun, it is important to learn California gun laws to rule out any problems with the current legislation. The overall procedure of acquiring a California firearm permit consists of three phases, with the starting phase being the application process.

1. Application

The first phase to acquire a concealed carry permit in California involves filling out and submitting an application to all the issuing agencies. In other words, you can submit your application either to your local county sheriff or to the head (or chief) of your local municipal police department. The initial fee for submitting the application may vary for different agencies. However, the average fee is usually between $100 and $200.

2. Interview

During the interview, your local issuing agency will ask:

• If you have any criminal history
• Why you need the license
• What the consequences of carrying your gun in public would be

The agency will also record your fingerprints during this phase. There might be some agencies that may call you for a second interview.

3. Psychological Evaluation

This phase is not required in a few cities/counties. If it is mandatory in your area, you will have to go for a psychology test. This test helps the issuing authorities determine whether you’re mentally fit for owning a gun. This test will cost you up to $150.

Who is Prohibited from Firearm Possession or Gun Permit

As per the state law, the following people are not allowed to own or use firearms:

• People addicted to narcotics.
• Anyone who was convicted of a felony offense.
• Anyone convicted of certain offenses of a misdemeanor.
• Anyone who was convicted twice (or more than twice) against brandishing a firearm.
• Anyone under the age of 18 (and 21 when it comes to buying a firearm).
• Anyone who has a certain mental condition.

Gun transfer Restrictions

While you can get your gun along when you’re moving to California, the state still observes certain restrictions on weapon import. Here are a few of them to take note of:

• Magazines of imported guns that have more than ten rounds.
• Carrying assault weapons.e
• Unregistered non-concealable weapons.

how to get a concealed carry permit in california

Perhaps you have wondered how to get a concealed carry permit in California. As per the state law, here are the restrictions in relation to concealed weapons permit in California:

• Carrying a concealed firearm without possessing a CCW or a concealed carry permit.
• Carrying a weapon openly (known as California open carry offense).

Additionally, California’s red flag law allows teachers, coworkers, and employers to put a restraining order on someone they might feel poses a threat to the lives of people.

CALIFORNIA gun laws

So, that was the complete guide to moving to California with your guns. If you possess any firearms, be sure to understand the complete procedure of possessing them legally in California. From transporting and registering a firearm to getting your firearm license, a lot of local laws are involved during this process, especially if you’re moving to the Bay Area. Then using the services of local movers is a great idea.
With your gun transport now sorted, have you decided on your moving plan yet? If not, we’re here to make it happen with just a few steps. From packing your house to moving it to California (with all the care in the world), we’re the professional long-distance movers you can trust. Get in touch with us if you need help with the perfect moving plan.