What is the procedure to buy a gun for a first time gun owner?

Question

I am interested in buying a handgun as a hobby. Do I just walk into a gunshop or do I have to get some sort of a license ahead of time.

Let me add that I live near the Sacramento area in Northern California.

Answer 1

Hey Shergill,

That depends on the state. In South Carolina, I can go to the store and buy a Shotgun today. A pistol will require a wait period of about 3 days.

See the chart for California - also the web site:

QUICK REFERENCE CHART
: Rifles and Shotguns / Handguns
Permit to Purchase : No / No*
Registration of Firearms : No / Yes*
Registration of "Assault Weapons" : Yes / Yes
Licensing of Owners : No / No
Permit to Carry (if concealed) : No / Yes

Transfer or sale of all firearms must be processed with a California gun dealer`s license. An application for transfer must be made with the gun dealer before any firearm may be sold or transferred. This application contains a description of the buyer or transferee and of the firearm. A copy is sent by the dealer to the California Department of Justice and the local police chief or sheriff. The dealer may be charged a fee up to $14 by the Department of Justice. If the Department of Justice determines that the buyer or transferee is not eligible to possess a firearm, they shall notify the dealer immediately. There is a 10-day waiting period before delivery of any firearm. Dealers must keep a register of all firearm transfers. A person under restraining order may not acquire any firearm.

Starting October 1, 1993, no firearm capable of being concealed upon the person shall be delivered or sold unless the person receiving the firearm presents to the gun dealer a basic firearms safety certificate approved by the California Department of Justice.

No person shall make an application to purchase more than one pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person within a 30-day period and no delivery shall be made to any person who has made an application to purchase more than one pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person within any 30-day period.

Answer 2

Your perfectly free to walk into the gun shp and look. You are even more perfectly free to ask them what the ownership laws are in your area. If CA requires a lisence firt, apply for it, then buy the gun. They may also know of the local ranges you can join.

Answer 3

Being an east coaster I am not familiar with CA gun laws, but I can tell you that the gun shop wants to sell you a gun so they will do whatever they can to help you buy one.

Answer 4

when you purchase a gun there is a waiting period of 14 days........they check your background and if you are cleared then you can get your permit at the same time when you purchase a gun