The role of the FFL in California is complex. Because California burdens gun dealers with oppressive and difficult state level regulations, California FFL’s have one of the most difficult jobs of any FFL in the US. In order to understand what role a California FFL has, and how they are different from FFL’s in other states, we need to look at a few things that California requires FFL’s to do when purchasing or transferring a gun or even buying ammo.
The truth is, California is an anti-gun paradise with laws that create tiered classes of gun owners, as law enforcement officers can privately purchase any gun they wish for any reason, while private citizens are restricted to a shrinking array of guns that they can choose from. California also requires background checks on simple ammo purchases and additional processes for receiving out of state guns for transfers. So let’s look a little closer so we can better understand the role of the FFL in California.
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California Laws Are Rigged Against Gun Owners
From buying a gun from a private party to taking delivery of a select number of approved guns from an online purchase, or even building your own gun at home from an 80 percent frame or 3D printing, California has made it impossible to acquire a gun without some form of a background check. In nearly all cases that background check is performed by a California FFL.
In addition, there are severe restrictions on the types, brands and even colors of guns that can be legally purchased. The roster of California legal handguns is so strict that even a simple change in model number due to a type of finish can make it illegal in California. Of course, certain government employees like law enforcement are exempt from all these regulations and can have an FFL order them nearly any gun they wish. In addition, even the simple sale of a box of ammo can require a background check, plus paperwork. All this adds up to making a California FFL holder’s life very difficult.
So What is the Role of a California FFL?
Some might say the role of a California FFL is simply survive. California does everything possible to make gun owner’s lives miserable, and by extension to push down FFL’s so that as few guns as possible are sold in the state.
The true role of the California FFL is the same as anywhere else – to facilitate the sale of guns and ammo in compliance with Federal, state and local laws. California FFL’s just have to facilitate more things than most.
California FFL’s have to juggle a complex array of state and Federal paperwork, administer multiple forms of background checks, facilitate private party transfers of guns, and sometimes maintain separate inventory for private citizens and law enforcement customers. Let’s look a little closer at some of the madness that is involved with being a California FFL.
Ammo Background Checks
Want to sell somebody a box of ammo? Well, not so fast. California makes even that simple process miserable, and could even require a $19 fee just to establish eligibility to buy a small box of .22.
The role of the California FFL here is to understand a labyrinth of regulations and forms of eligibility to purchase ammo, and spend a lot of time on paperwork and background checks that could be spent on more useful pursuits. Like watching paint dry or perhaps cutting grass with scissors. California’s ammo background check system is so flawed, that many applicants get denied or delayed on their purchase. We strongly suspect this is a feature to the anti-gun crazies, and not a bug.
Magazines for Me, But Not For Thee
For the second class citizens of California (aka, nearly everyone), being able to buy “large capacity” (what the rest of the civilized world simply call magazines) magazines is up in the air depending on how the 9th Circuit rules. Meanwhile, if you happen to be one of the more equal animals exempted in California law, you can waltz into a California FFL that has a “Large Capcity Magazine Permit” and buy all the normal magazines you want, even for personal use.
In this case, the role of the California FFL involves getting a special license from the state, and making sure that their customer is one of the few privileged people who can buy whatever they want, typically law enforcement, even if these otherwise banned items are never going to see government or duty use.
Private Party Transfers and Online Sales
Outside of a few antiques and black powder guns, or the odd sale or gift among immediate family members, private party gun sales are forbidden in California. That means a California FFL has to handle the background check, paperwork and waiting period for private party sales.
California FFL’s also have to handle all incoming online purchases. On top of that, they have to go through special hoops just to receive guns in order to do the transfer. Many out of state sellers will not ship to California because of these hassles.
Becoming a California FFL
If you want to become a California FFL, understand that it is a highly complicated process, and requires careful attention to detail. You will be under close state-level scrutiny and there are many ways to risk losing your license. Plus, you can’t get your FFL until you can demonstrate an understanding of California regulations.
Fortunately, you have a friend in all this madness. FFL123, the nation’s leading online FFL guide program has been helping people get their California FFL for nearly two decades. Our team of industry insider experts have mastered the ins and outs of running an FFL in California and will guide you through every step of the process, and even provide help after you start your business!
If you want the assurance of a massive team of industry experts behind you as you start your journey to become a California FFL, and the peace of mind that comes with being able to call on their help when you try to face the Byzantine regulatory system California forces on FFL’s, then you’ve come to the right place.
Choose any of our popular and effective FFL guides, and rest easy knowing that you have the FFL123 advantage by your side.
