I won’t get into a lengthy debate or discussion about our country’s firearm issues or the ethics of gun ownership, but unless you’re a bowhunter, you’re going to need a gun if you plan on hunting in California.
So far, this has been the most daunting task for me, as I’m sure it is for many others with little to no experience with firearms. The challenges of purchasing and possessing a gun in California- let alone San Francisco where I reside- are many. It can take several weeks, if not months, if you’re buying your first gun, not to mention the steep cost of firearms and ammunition, as well as the legally acceptable forms of storage. As of this post, I’m still in the process myself, but with enough time and determination, (almost) anyone can legally get a gun to start hunting. A good resource is the Department of Justice page on firearms, but if you’re a CA resident, you can check laws and regulations for California here: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms. Remember, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase a long gun (rifle or shotgun) in California, and 21 for a handgun (a legal method for certain game). For the purposes of this post, I’ll assume you’re a CA resident with no special exemptions, and looking to buy your first legal firearm in California from a licensed dealer.
[I should also add as a disclaimer that I can’t be held liable for any injuries or issues you run into while going through these steps. I’m not a lawyer or gun specialist or anything. You do so at your own risk, so please make sure you have an understanding of firearm safety and handling, and check your local laws and regulations for the latest information.]
First, check your eligibility. As I alluded to above, there are several eligibility checks that you’ll need to pass in order to purchase a gun in CA. These checks consider your mental health, competency, and criminal record (if any), among other things. Check the DOJ site for more info to confirm your eligibility. If you’re confident you meet criteria, you can start the process below.
On the advice of a friend and many online sources, the best way to start is to first decide what quarry you want to hunt. In my case, I had an in with a friend to hunt waterfowl (specifically ducks) on his property, which meant I needed an appropriate shotgun. A search on Google and sporting sites like Field and Stream gave me the specifics, like the type of action, gauge, and barrel length best suited for my needs. You can also visit a licensed gun dealer and ask for recommendations based on your goals. If you’ve completed Hunter Education (see my older post – I highly recommend you do this first before looking into guns) you should at least have a basic understanding of firearm safety, handling, and operation. Once you know in general what type of gun you’ll need, you can do some research on various brands and models to give you an idea of pricing and help you set a budget, but you can figure that out later as well.
Next, make sure your personal information and identifying documents are all up-to-date. When buying a long gun in California, you will need to provide a valid government-issued ID (like a drivers license) that shows you are a CA resident and at least 18. If you plan to buy a handgun you’ll also need proof of residency (like a utility bill or mortgage statement), AND the address on your proof of residency must match that on your ID. If you’ve recently moved, this can be an added headache because you’ll need get your address sorted out at the DMV.
Another item you’ll need before purchasing a firearm is a valid Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC). From the DOJ site, “to obtain an FSC you must score at least 75% (23 correct answers out of 30 questions) on the FSC Test covering firearm safety and basic firearms laws. The true/false and multiple choice test is administered by Instructors certified by the Department of Justice who are generally located at firearms dealerships.” (Check the DOJ site for study guides). If you live in a city where it’s legal to deal firearms, you could visit a licensed sporting goods shop like Bass Pro Shop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or Big 5 that carries firearms (check online first because some locations don’t carry firearms or don’t administer the test), and take the test there to receive your FSC. I live in San Francisco, where it’s legal to own a gun, but there are currently no licensed firearm dealers within the city due to strict gun control legislation. I ended up stopping by the San Jose Bass Pro Shop when visiting a friend down there, where I took the FSC test. There’s a $25 fee to take the FSC Test and that fee lets you to take the test twice from the same Certified Instructor, if necessary. Once you pass the test, the FSC is valid for 5 years, so you’ll need to buy your gun within that time frame, unless you want to retake the test.
The list doesn’t end there. You’ll also need a method to secure your firearm and this is the stage I’m currently in as of this post [see Update at the end]. According to the DOJ, California requires that all firearms sold in the state be accompanied by a DOJ-approved firearms safety device or proof that the purchaser owns a gun safe that meets regulatory standards established by the Department. The current list of DOJ-approved firearms safety devices and the gun safe standards can be found here: http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/fsdcertlist. Some devices are locking mechanisms that prevent you from operating the gun, but doesn’t prevent someone from handling or stealing it. Though it’s not required, for maximum safety, the DOJ recommends having both a locking device and an approved gun safe, as well as a separate lock box or safe to store your ammunition away from your firearm. I’m planning to have all three, and would like a safe that can hold at least two long guns, but at most three to five, so I can expect to spend several hundred dollars on storage alone.
With these things in hand you’re almost ready to buy your first gun! When you finally go to purchase your firearm with the above items, you will need to fill out a background check form and have your thumb print taken. Along with the cost of the gun and taxes, you’re also required to pay $25 for various fees like the Dealer Record of Sales (DROS) processing fee ($19), the Firearms Safety Act Fee ($1) and the Safety and Enforcement Fee ($5). There will then be a minimum 10-day waiting period (I’ve read that it’s down to the minute) before you can come back and take possession of your gun. Assuming you pass the background check and the full 10-day waiting period lapses, you can return to pick up your gun. But not before passing a Safe Handling Demonstration- a series of specific steps to safely load and unload your firearm, which must be performed under the supervision of a DOJ Certified Instructor, and finally signing an affidavit attesting to your completion of the demonstration.
Congratulations! You are now the owner of a new gun and can begin legally hunting! Well…that is IF you already own the necessary clothing and gear for a successful hunt…Check back in for my next post on appropriate hunting gear and the cost of being a new hunter.
-UPDATE 1- I recently ordered my shotgun (Benelli M2 Field Semi-auto) from Sportsman’s Warehouse, which apparently comes with its own DOJ-approved locking device from the manufacturer. After speaking with a representative, I was told I wouldn’t need to show proof of ownership for a safe (see Update 2 below).
-UPDATE 2- I drove down to Sportsman’s in Milpitas Tuesday night to begin the DROS process. The place was still surprisingly busy at 7:30pm and I waited about 20 minutes before being helped. When it was my turn, I presented my drivers license and my FSC. The rep made copies, brought out my gun, assembled it, and let me handle and inspect it (it did not come with a locking device). Once I was satisfied, I had to fill out a Gun Safe Affidavit. Apparently since the gun did not come with a locking device, I was required to own a qualified safe in order to continue the process. Then the online paperwork began, and I had to input personal information and answer a series of questions on an iPad about my criminal background and mental health status. After the paperwork was done, I went through a safe handling demonstration. The representative showed me a series of actions to operate the gun, which I had to repeat back to him, though he provided a lot of guidance and prompts, so it didn’t feel like a test, just reassurance that I knew how to use the weapon. Finally, I signed some more papers and received a copy of the DROS along with a pink slip that told me the exact time I could return (10 days later) to pick up the gun, and that I would have to bring back and present to them. I left after paying the $25 DROS processing fee and headed home. The entire process took an hour and 15 minutes total.
The Sunday Hunter 