# FTF gun sale in CA?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 13, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895 "2005-11-13T22:01:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895/1 "2005-11-13T22:01:26Z")

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For a private party handgun sale. Isn’t a FFL holder required? Do both have to show up for the first visit?  
Peace,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895/2 "2005-11-13T22:04:09Z")

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> [@mangeorge](#):
>
> For a private party handgun sale. Isn’t a FFL holder required? Do both have to show up for the first visit?  
> Peace,  
> mangeorge

In a nutshell yes and yes. FFL holder executes the waiting period at least in my experience.

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**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895/3 "2005-11-14T00:06:39Z")

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Yes. The FFL will hold the gun while the background check and waiting period go through.

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895/4 "2005-11-14T01:08:52Z")

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Okay, guys. Thanks.  
Usually better just buying from a dealer, huh?  
Thanks again,  
mangeorge

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**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895/5 "2005-11-14T01:11:10Z")

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> [@mangeorge](#):
>
> Okay, guys. Thanks.  
> Usually better just buying from a dealer, huh?  
> Thanks again,  
> mangeorge

Unless you get a good deal from a pricate party. Just make sure you look around and shop for the best transfer charge. That alone can negate any deal you get.

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895/6 "2005-11-14T01:47:36Z")

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> [@CynicalGabe](#):
>
> Unless you get a good deal from a pricate party. Just make sure you look around and shop for the best transfer charge. That alone can negate any deal you get.

Tell me about it. Fifty bucks within an hours drive.  
I’ve learned that if you tell the dealer the private deal, they’ll often beat it.

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**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ftf-gun-sale-in-ca/330895/7 "2005-11-14T04:59:21Z")

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> [@mangeorge](#):
>
> Tell me about it. Fifty bucks within an hours drive.  
> I’ve learned that if you tell the dealer the private deal, they’ll often beat it.

I doubt he would have done so for my last transfer. I got a 1911 for about $250 less than he (in the store) wanted for the same model. 🙂