Ask Officer Michelle – Question #140

Officer Michelle,I used to hunt deer, duck and pheasant when I lived in Washington State years ago. When I moved down to California in 2003, I worried the 12-gauge shotgun and 30-06 rifle I owned there would be considered illegal here in California. I was given both guns as gifts, the shotgun for my 14^th birthday and the rifle for my 21^st birthday, if I remember correctly. What’s the process of making them legally mine here in California, if they were actually purchased by my stepfather in Washington as gifts for me? I know the laws in California are far more strict when it comes to firearms, so I don’t want to put myself in a compromising situation.

Secondly, but related, my grandfather passed away last year. He owned a .38 special revolver, much like the old guns officers used to carry. It was his pride and joy. He said when he passed that he wanted me to have it. I really want that gun now, especially to keep in my family as an heirloom, but handguns are an even touchier subject. He lived and died in Washington State, where the gun now sits in my mother’s closet, waiting for me to take care of logistics before I take it across state lines. I want to take possession of it, so what steps are necessary to make the gun legal for me to own in California?

Thank you for any help.

Sincerely,

Patrick Ibarra

Patrick,

I spoke with a representative with the California Attorney General’s Office. He said that it should be no problem for you to bring your weapons into the state. You need to fill out a “new resident” form for your hand guns. Long guns are not required; however, there is a “voluntary ownership” form you can fill out for your shot gun. Go to www.aj.ca.gov/firearms. Go to the “forms and publications” section to find the proper forms. You will do the same for your grandfather’s handgun.

You may want to check out the gun laws for California on the Attorney General’s website pertaining to carrying and transporting weapons while you are there. The laws vary from state-to-state.

Good Luck

Officer Michelle

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 2:02 pm and is filed under Answers From Officer Michelle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.