All Firearms:

 

California requires an approved 10-day background check to purchase any firearm.  Pass or fail, this background check costs $37.19.  The two items required to submit any background check is a CA Identification Card or Driver License, and a Firearm Safety Card (FSC). 

If you are active duty military stationed in California, your Military ID and PCS orders suffice as alternate documentation.

 

• If your ID/DL has an outdated address, you'll need a government issued document showing your name and updated address.
• If your ID/DL says "Federal Limits Apply" in the top right corner, a copy of your Certified Birth Certificate, Naturalization Document, or a current US Passport is required. 

 

If your name differs on any of the documentation from the name on your ID, we also require a copy of your legal name-change documentation.

 

If you do not already have a FSC, we can issue one in store for $25 after passing a state-issued test.  The test usually takes about 15 minutes to complete, and you may click here to download the study guide.

 

 

Handgun Purchases Only:

 

A proof of residence with your name and current address is required.  The following are state approved documents that may be used:

 

• Utility bill including a land line phone bill or cable bill, dated within 90 days of firearm purchase
• Valid state-issued license, permit, or registration, showing a period of validity
• Residential lease or mortgage deed

 

 

1. • What is the "safe handling demonstration" requirement?

     • The safe handling demonstration is a statutory requirement that firearm purchasers/recipients execute a series of specific steps related to safely loading and unloading the firearm. The safe handling demonstration must be performed under the supervision of a FSC Program DOJ Certified Instructor, and the purchaser must sign an affidavit attesting to the completion of the safe handling demonstration. The performance steps of a successful, safe handling demonstration can be found beginning on page 12 of the Firearm Safety Certificate Study Guide, pdf.

2. What are the exemptions to the safe handling demonstration requirement?

   • The exemptions to the safe handling demonstration are the same as the exemptions from the FSC requirement. If a firearm purchaser/recipient has a valid exemption from the FSC requirement, he or she is also exempt from the safe handling demonstration requirement. A copy of the proof of exemption documentation must be retained with the original DROS, but a Safe Handling Demonstration Affidavit would not be required.