# Gun People, A question about registration **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 25, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-a-question-about-registration/613905 "2012-02-25T01:33:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-a-question-about-registration/613905/1 "2012-02-25T01:33:21Z")
All these recent gun threads have got me motivated to go back to the range and start shooting again. It’s been 10+ years, so I am signed up for a class on March 3. I’m very excited. I am going to ask this same question at my class, but I thought I would see what answers I got from posting here in the meantime. I have inherited four handguns from my dad who passed away in 2008. I recently brought them to my house from my mother’s. As far as I can tell none of them are in anyway registered and I don’t have any sort of paperwork at all for any of them. I would say that they were all purchased before 1980 as I don’t recall my father ever going shooting after my grandfather died. Here is my question: What do I need to do in order to “legally posses” these guns in CA? I don’t intend to carry concealed, but I would like to be able to take them with me to the range without committing some sort of crime. I have done a couple of Google searches and have really only become more confused. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-a-question-about-registration/613905/2 "2012-02-25T02:40:09Z")
California sucks for gun owners. Here’s the[FAQ](http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs#1)from the California DOJ. #26: \*\*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. Also, this… **Can I give a firearm to my adult child**? Can he/she give it back to me later? Yes, as long as the adult child receiving the firearm is not in a prohibited category, pdf and the firearm is a legal firearm to possess, the transfer of a firearm between a parent and child or a grandparent and grandchild is exempt from the dealer transfer requirement. However, if the firearm is a handgun, you must submit a Report of Operation of Law or Intra-Familial Handgun Transaction, pdf and $19 fee to the DOJ within 30 days. Assault weapons may not be transferred in this fashion Since your dad is not available to do the paperwork, I’d give them a call and ask them what to do at this point. And I’m sorry for your loss. Bad way to get guns & stuff. Hopefully using them will continue your connection with him. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-a-question-about-registration/613905/3 "2012-02-25T04:39:35Z")
[See page 37.](http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pdfs/firearms/forms/Cfl2007.pdf) > [@](#): > > **Sales, Loans, or Transfers of Firearms** > It is unlawful for a person who is not a licensed firearms dealer pursuant to Penal Code section 12071, to sell, loan, or otherwise transfer a firearm to a non-licensed person unless the sale, loan, or transfer is completed through a licensed firearms dealer. (Penal Code §§ 12071, 12072, 12082.) > > **Exceptions** > … > Firearms obtained through intestate succession or by bequest, sales or transfers > between “immediate family” members. Immediate family means parent and child, > and grandparent and grandchild. (NOTE: Individuals who receive a concealable > firearm in this manner must obtain a Handgun Safety Certificate. The acquisition of a handgun in this manner must be reported within 30 days to the Department of Justice on forms provided by the Department of Justice.) > (Penal Code §§ 12078(i)(1)(B), 12078(c)(2)(A).) I think that is the relevant statute, but (and there’s always a but) you may want to check with someone who lives in California. I have no idea how to navigate their laws with regard to guns, they are vastly more complicated than those where I live. Here in Pennsylvania this question would never be asked. There’s also a website you can visit, [Calguns.net](http://Calguns.net). You will get a solid answer there as long as you can stand the general kibitzing there (hardly unique to the SDMB) and the anti-Obama/OH NOES THEY’RE COMING FOR OUR GUNS! nonsense that someone invariably drops into a gun discussion because, well, that’s what they do. ---
**Author:** ![emarkp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@emarkp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emarkp)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-a-question-about-registration/613905/4 "2012-02-25T18:22:28Z")
A second for [calguns.net](http://calguns.net). Also, keep in mind most of the laws are about **transfer** of guns, not about ownership. If you’re the owner and the transfer happened before all the draconian laws, you have no obligation. While going to/from the range, you still have the same obligation as anyone without a CCW, having the gun in a locked container (that can include the trunk of your car, but not a hatchback that you can enter from inside the car). Some people recommend a soft case/bag with a tiny lock. That can sit next to you in the car, or in the trunk, etc. ---
**Author:** ![emarkp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@emarkp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emarkp)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-people-a-question-about-registration/613905/5 "2012-02-25T19:00:43Z")
Also note that for no reason I can discern, [all of the penal code sections related to firearms](http://www.calccw.com/Forums/general-faq/18793-dangerous-weapons-penal-code-changes.html) got renumbered. So many of the documents have obsolete references.