handgun registration

E

ebyrd10000

Inactive
Here is my problem I have a my buddy died 10 years ago I have one of his handguns in my safe.I would I register it in my name ? will i get in trouble for this?i have been getting so many different answers I a confused
 
What you want to do is called a voluntary registration, its perfectly safe unless you have any felonies or violent misdemeanors (or anything that would prevent you from owning a handgun). Basically the DOJ will do a background check on you and if all is well then the gun is yours. They should send you a letter or something stating so.

Go to this website and print out the form, its good for up to three firearms. Fill out the gun information and send the form with a check of $19.00 (per firearm) to the DOJ, and then don't worry about it!

http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/volreg.pdf

The DOJ is not as interested in where the gun is coming from as much as where it is going, which is to you, a law abiding citizen (i hope).

good luck
 
Call a lawyer local to your place of residence, preferably one supportive and knowledgeable of gun rights (you might get a referral from your favorite gun-shop owner, if you don't know one already). In most places in the country, you would likely have no problems at all, but in California....?

Boarhunter
 
thanks for the question, I think it's something a lot of us had a question about at one point or another. Also thanks to Lucky for the concise answer
 
If you didn't buy it, the gun still belongs to your buddy's estate and should be returned to the executor or his heir. The rightful owner may not know about it but it is not yours to register or claim ownership.

Jim
 
ther is no next of ken.. My buddy was sick and that is why i had his favorite gun to hold. The gun is a reminder of my best bud
 
There is no firearm registration requirement in California except for assault weapon owners and personal handgun importers. However, you may submit a Firearm Ownership Record to the DOJ for any firearm you own. Having a Firearm Ownership Record on file with the DOJ may help in the return of your firearm if it is lost or stolen. With very few and specific exceptions, all firearm transactions must be conducted through a firearms dealer.
 
Personally I wouldn't say anything to anybody. I'd rather risk not registering it and if it's stolen it's gone rather than registering it. There's no reason other than if it's stolen to register it and then being in California you'd probably be at fault if someone were shot with that gun even if it was stolen.

You're not breaking the law and who knows what kind of crap some idiot may try to come up with. I'm sure your friend would want you to have it but if you register they may decide that being no will that they will have to confiscate your gun until they find someone related.
 
Just my opinion, but if it were me... I wouldn't say a word about it. If you're not some kind of lunatic that's gonna go on some shooting spree, I doubt anyone would question it.
 
I asked this question of a very old local FFL holder & gunsmith about my dad's guns. He told me that reregistration was not required of father/son type transactions. He said that I shouldn't register anything that I didn't have to.

In your case, the legality of having it may depend on how old it is. California has not required everyone to come forward and register all handguns in possession. There was a time when you could obtain a handgun at a gun show or through a private party transaction without registration. If it's that old, you are free and clear. If it was produced after that time, California would have required registration when it was purchased/obtained or when it was brought into the state.
 
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