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Guns

What does it take to get a handgun in California?

We get a lot of questions about the handgun safety certificate and exemptions. People want to know what documents are needed, who can buy a firearm, the safe handling demonstration, proof of residence requirements and many other handgun related issues. Hopefully, this page will help out.
  
 
 What you need to buy a handgun!

* You must be a California resident with a valid California ID or driver's license.

* Non-Resident Military permanently stationed in CA can use a valid active duty Military ID card and
PCS orders to a California duty station.

* Or a resident alien with a resident alien ID card or an I-94 #, and a valid California ID or driver's license.

* You must be 21 years or older.

* You will need to possess a handgun safety certificate (HSC) or an HSC exemption.

* Don't forget your proof of residence (requirements are differ slightly for resident aliens).

We are an authorized testing location for the HSC. 
The HSC is a 30 question, multiple choice, true or false test. You will need to score 23 out of 30 in order to pass.
            
No appointment is necessary! Walk-ins are okay up to 1 hour before closing.

The test is valid for 5 years.

No time limit! Closed book! Applicants can buy a study booklet for $0.50.

We will not answer any questions after the test starts. (If you need a new pen because the one you have doesn't work, please wave the broken one at us). You may not have any written material other than the test booklet and answer sheet that we provide. No cell phones or pagers are allowed in the testing area.
Test materials are not allowed out of the testing area.

Only you and the proctor may be present when the test is reviewed after grading. Any use of the bathroom must take place before or after the test -- no bathroom breaks are allowed during the test. The Department of Justice (DOJ) allows you to take the test if you are 18, but we will only test you if you are 21 or older.

You will need your CA ID card or CA Driver's License and $25. Study booklets may be purchased in advance for $0.50.
  
 
Handgun Safety Certificate Exemptions (HSC)

The following qualify for HSC exempt status:

• Peace officer (active California)
• Peace officer (active federal)
• Peace officer (honorably retired California or federal)
• Reserve peace officer (as defined in Penal Code Section 832.6)
• Persons who have successfully completed P.O.S.T. 832 PC firearms training
• Federally licensed firearm collector who has a DOJ-issued COE who is acquiring a federally-defined curio / relic
• Person to whom a handgun is being returned, where he/she is the owner of the firearm
• Carry concealed weapon (CCW) permit holder
• Military - active duty
• Military - honorably retired
• Military - active reserve
• Certain particular and limited authority peace officers
• Persons who hold a DOJ-issued special weapons permit
• Persons taking possession of firearms pursuant to specific conditions related to operation of law acquisitions
• Law enforcement service weapon passed to surviving family member
    
   
  

  Regulations of the Department of Justice

  California Code of Regulations

  CA Department of Justice Evidence of Residency Documentation, Definitions and Requirements

A utility bill from within the past three months that bears the individual's name and either of the following:

The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form or the individual's residential address as it appears on his or her California Driver's License or California Identification Card, or change of address attachment thereto.

"Utility bill" means a statement of charges for providing service to the individual's residence by either a physical connection (a hard wired telephone connection, a cable connection, or a water or gas pipeline connection) or a telemetric connection (a satellite television or radio broadcast service) to a non-mobile, fixed antenna reception device.

Residential lease that bears the individual's name and either of the following:

The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form or the individual's address as it appears on his or her California Driver's License or California Identification card, or change of address attachment thereto.

"Residential lease" means either of the following:

A signed and dated contract by which the individual (tenant) agrees to pay a specified monetary sum or provide other consideration for the right to occupy an abode for a specified period of time 
 
Or:

A signed and dated rental agreement by which the individual (tenant) agrees to pay a specified monetary sum or provide other consideration at fixed intervals for the right to occupy an abode.
Property deed that bears the individual's name and either of the following:
The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form or the individual's address as it appears on his or her California Driver's License or California Identification Card, or change
of address attachment thereto.

"Property deed" means either or the following:

It could be a valid deed of trust for the individual's property of current residence that identifies the individual as a grantee of the trust.
 
Or:

A valid certificate of title issued by a licensed title insurance company that identifies the individual as a titleholder to his or her property of current residence.
Current, government-issued license, permit, or registration, other than a CA Driver's License or CA Identification Card, that has a specified expiration date or period of validity.

The license, permit, or registration must bear the individual's name and either of the following:

The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form

Or:

The individual's address as it appears on his or her California Driver's License or California Identification Card, or change of address attachment thereto.

Examples of acceptable proof of residency:

Current DMV registrations
Electricity, gas or cable bill with purchaser's name on it from within the last 3 months
Signed and dated rental agreement / contract

Examples of documents that are not acceptable proof of residency:

Hunting or fishing license (these documents are not issued by the government).
Cellular phone bill.

For resident aliens, we will require 3 consecutive months worth of utility bills in the buyer's name and showing the address as it will appear on the Dealer Record of Sale and matching the California Driver's License or ID.

A few links all gun-owners & future gun-owners should know about:

How to purchase a handgun in California
 
California Department of Justice, Office of Attorney General
http://caag.state.ca.us/

California Department of Justice, Firearms Information
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/

California Assault weapons Guide
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/forms/pdf/awguide.pdf

California Certified Handguns
http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/certlist.htm

National Rifle Association (NRA)
http://www.nra.org/

California NRA
http://www.calnra.com/

Gun Owners of America
http://www.gunowners.org/

Gun Owners of California
http://www.gunownersca.com/

Some of the gun manufacturers we offer...

Click on each image for more information!