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California firearms dealers must obtain and maintain the following:
For more information on dealer licensing or to obtain an Application for Centralized List of Firearms Dealers, contact the Firearms Licensing and Permits Unit at (916) 227-3694.
(PC section 12071(a))
A DOJ-issued permit is required to import or export ammunition feeding devices that have the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds. Permits are issued, upon request, to licensed firearms dealers whose businesses have a bona fide marketplace for the sale, import, or export of large capacity ammunition feeding devices. To obtain an Application for Large Capacity Magazine Permit (Form FD 050), call the Firearms Licensing and Permits Unit at (916) 227-3694.
(PC section 12079)
The Centralized List annual renewal application and fee must be submitted to the DOJ by January 31st of each year regardless of the date of initial placement on the Centralized List. The Centralized List portion of the annual fee is $20.00 per licensee at each dealership. There is also an annual inspection fee of $95.00 per dealership location. Dealerships located in jurisdictions that have a local firearms dealer inspection program are exempt from the $95.00 inspection fee. Upon request, a list of such jurisdictions is available from the DOJ.
(PC section 12071(f))
The CFD number is a unique number assigned by the DOJ to each firearms dealer location in California that the DOJ recognizes as fully licensed pursuant to PC Section 12071. The CFD number serves as the dealer's identifier for submitting DROS information and for other business dealings with the DOJ.
No. Your CFD number is assigned to your dealership location when you are recorded on the Centralized List. The COE is your eligibility clearance for firearms possession. You must have both as part your firearms dealer licensing.
Yes. It is the dealer's ongoing responsibility to provide the DOJ with current copies of all required licenses and to provide copies of renewals within thirty days of a license's expiration date. A dealer who fails to provide copies of renewals will be subject to removal from the Centralized List and a $20.00 reinstatement fee.
The dealer collects the DROS information and documentation from the purchaser and submits it to the DOJ through MCI utilizing a Point of Sale Device (PSD). When the DROS is accepted, a unique DROS number is assigned to the transaction and the required 10-day waiting period begins.
Firearms dealers may use their own computers to submit DROS information if their computer meets the minimum configuration requirements and they have a magnetic card swipe reader. The DROS information is sent via a secure dial-in connection directly to the current DROS contractor, MCI. To determine the minimum PC configuration requirements to submit DROS information, contact the MCI DROS Service Center at 1-800-974-DROS (3767). Please note, however, that Macintosh computers cannot be used. To obtain a magnetic card swipe reader, contact the manufacturer, NewBold, at 1-888-855-7978 and ask for John Miller. You must inform the manufacturer that you intend to use the device with the California DOJ DROS Entry System. The cost for the device is $95.00 plus tax, shipping, and handling.
No. However if your DOJ/MCI-issued computer malfunctions, immediately contact the MCI Service Center at 1-800-974-3767 to report the problem. You may then use the operator-assisted telephone system temporarily until your computer is repaired.
DROS forms are generated by the computer/printer used to submit firearm transaction information to the DOJ. Blank copies of the DROS worksheet may be useful in limited circumstances, such as a computer malfunction. Copies of the most current DROS worksheet may be downloaded and printed from this website's Dealer Notices, Forms, and Information page
A computer-generated hardcopy of the DROS information must be printed out when the DROS information is transmitted and signed by the purchaser and dealer. Signed DROS worksheets or computer printouts must be retained by the dealer in consecutive order for three years.
(PC section 12076(c))
Upon request, the dealer must give the purchaser a copy of the signed DROS record. In private party transactions, the seller is also entitled to a copy of the DROS record upon request.
(PC section 12076(c))
The purchaser must sign the DROS printout. For private party transactions, the seller must also sign the printout. The salesperson is required to sign as a witness to the purchaser's signature and identification.
(PC section 12071(c)(1))
Clear evidence of identity and age is defined as a valid California driver's license or a valid California Identification Card issued by the DMV. Military identification is also acceptable if accompanied by permanent duty station orders indicating a posting in California, but the dealer must retain copies of both documents.
Temporary driver licenses and temporary identification cards (issued without photo) are not accepted forms of proof of identity and age.
(PC section 12071(c)(1))
If DROS information conflicts with the DMV driver license files or if the license is suspended or invalid, the DOJ will cancel the transaction and notify the firearms dealer. The purchaser should contact DMV to correct or update information in DMV's files. Once the DMV problem has been cleared, a new DROS may be initiated.
(PC section 12071(b)(3)(B))
While no limitation exist for the number of handguns that a person may own, a person is generally limited to making no more than one application to purchase a handgun within any 30 day period. Handgun transactions related to law enforcement, private party transfers, returns to owners, and other specified circumstances are exempt from the one-handgun-per-30-day restriction.
(PC section 12072(a)(9))
In addition to the State's $19.00 DROS fee, you must also charge a $1.00 Firearms Safety Testing fee and a $5.00 Safety and Enforcement fee. If the transaction being processed is a dealer sale, consignment return, or return from pawn, you may impose other charges as long as this amount is clearly shown as a "dealer fee" and not misrepresented as a State fee.
(PC sections 12071(b)(11), (12))
If the transaction is a PPT, you are restricted to charging no more than $25.00 in State fees described and $10.00 per firearm for conducting the PPT. For example:
(PC section 12082)
Prior to the submission of DROS information for a handgun purchase, each person purchasing a handgun must present an HSC or show proof of exemption. The dealer must retain a copy of the HSC exemption document attached to the DROS record.
(PC sections 12071, 12081)
The waiting period for the purchase or transfer of handguns and long guns is ten (10) 24-hour periods from the date and time of the acceptance of the DROS information by the DOJ and the assignment of the unique DROS number.
(PC sections 12071, 12072)
The most common exemptions to the 10-day wait include:
(PC section 12078)
If the DOJ determines that a purchaser is ineligible to possess a firearm, the DOJ will deny the sale. The dealer will be notified via telephone not to deliver the firearm. A confirming letter will be sent via the U.S. Mail, and a message via the PSD (for dealers who have a PSD).
When the DOJ is not able to immediately determine a purchaser's eligibility to possess firearms, the dealer is notified as above to delay delivery of the firearm. Once a determination is made, the dealer will be notified as above to cancel the sale or to deliver the firearm.
(PC section 12076(d))
Yes. If a firearm purchaser does not take physical possession of the firearm within 30 days of submission of the DROS information, the dealer must cancel the sale and, if the firearm was a handgun, send the DOJ a cancellation form for that transaction. If the purchaser still wants to take possession of the firearm, the entire DROS process must be completed including payment of DROS fees.
(PC section 12071(b))
The 30-day delivery restriction begins upon notification from the DOJ that the delay has been lifted and that the dealer is authorized to deliver the handgun. The firearms dealer must retain all notifications and correspondence.
If a firearm is brought to you for service or repair, you may return it to the person who submitted it for repair without undergoing the DROS process. If the firearm must be replaced, a new DROS is required. There is an exemption from the one-handgun-per-month restriction for exchanged handguns.
(PC section 12072 (a)(9)(xi))
If you need to report a handgun DROS correction or cancellation within the 10-day waiting period, you may do so with the computer with which you submitted the DROS.
If you need to report a handgun DROS correction or cancellation after the 10-day waiting period, you must fill out the DROS cancellation or correction form and mail it to the DOJ.
In the event of a correction, only one handgun data field may be modified. If additional fields require modification, the DROS must be canceled and a new DROS submitted. A handgun DROS must also be canceled if the transaction is not completed within 30 days. All correspondence and documentation must be retained for three years for inspection purposes.
(PC section 12076(d)(5))
The dealer must write a letter indicating the CFD and the effective date of the closure to: DOJ Firearms Licensing and Permits Unit (FLPU), P.O. Box 920200, Sacramento, CA 94203-0200. The dealer is required to retain completed DROS forms for three years from the date of sale, after which they may be destroyed. The dealer should contact the BATF for federal requirements for closing a firearms business.
The DOJ certifies laboratories to test handguns. No handgun may be sold, manufactured, etc., in California unless it has been safety tested by a DOJ-certified laboratory, found to have passed safety/reliability standards, and approved for sale by the DOJ. Firearm manufacturers and importers, who wish to certify a handgun model for sale or manufacture within California must submit three copies of the handgun model directly to a DOJ-certified laboratory for testing.
Upon approval of the test report and payment of listing fees, the handgun is listed on the DOJ Roster of Certified Handguns (RCH). The roster lists qualifying handguns according to: make / model / caliber / barrel length. A change in any one of the RCH categories is considered a new modeland requires a new certification.
Effective January 1, 2001, only handgun models listed on the RCH may be manufactured, imported for sale, or sold in California. Exemptions exist for private party and law enforcement transactions.
A listing of certified handgun models is currently available on this website. Listings are also available upon request by fax, and will periodically be sent as administrative messages to operators of Point of Sale Devices.
(PC section 12125, et seq.)
Each firearm sold by firearms dealers must be accompanied by a child safety warning label.
DOJ standards for firearms safety devices have been in effect since January 1, 2001. The DOJ has certified independent laboratories to test safety devices for compliance with the adopted standards. Any manufacturer of safety devices who wishes to have a particular device certified for sale in California must submit the device to a DOJ-certified testing laboratory. The DOJ-certified laboratory will test the device and forward the test results to the DOJ. Subject to DOJ application and fee requirements, qualifying devices may be approved by the DOJ for inclusion on the Roster of Approved Safety Devices (RSD), pdf.
Effective January 1, 2002, no firearm may be sold in California unless:
(PC section 12087, et seq.)
Yes. If the DOJ instructs a firearms dealer to cancel a firearms transaction, the firearms dealer is required to provide the prohibited individual with a Prohibited Persons Notice Form and Power of Attorney for Firearms Transfer and Disposal, pdf.
(PC section 12071)
Not any more. However, the California Firearms Law pamphlet may be downloaded for free, pdf from this website.
(PC section 12071)
Yes. The firearms dealer must require the firearm recipient to place his or her right thumbprint, in black ink, on the back of the DROS form. If the recipient is unable to comply, then the dealer should contact the DOJ at (916) 263-4887 for instructions.
(PC section 12077)
or
"Utility bill" means a statement of charges for providing service to the individual's residence by either a physical connection (i.e., hard wired telephone connection or cable connection, or a water or gas pipeline connection) or a telemetric connection (i.e., satellite television or radio broadcast service) to a non-mobile, fixed antenna reception device.
or
"Residential lease" means either of the following:
or
or
"Property deed" means either or the following:
or
or
Examples of acceptable proof of residency:
Examples of documents that are NOT acceptable proof of residency:
Peace officers, including reserve and retired peace officers, may present valid credentials issued by a California law enforcement agency in lieu of the other required residency documentation. This consideration is given to peace officers who do not want to provide documentation of their residence address for security reasons and who otherwise do not object to having their credentials copied by the firearms dealer for inclusion with the DROS record.
(PC section 12071)
Penal Code section 12077.5(g) prohibits persons or agencies from requesting or requiring another person to obtain a PFEC. However, effective January 1, 2004, California Licensed Firearms dealers are authorized to require their employees to possess a Certificate of Eligibility as evidence that the employee is not prohibited from possessing firearms.
(PC section 12077.5)
The Employee COE is issued to persons who apply for a COE as employees of a licensed California firearms dealer, and are found to be lawfully eligible to possess firearms. A person who has an existing or non-employee COE may be associated with a licensed firearms dealer by the submission of a COE Report of Employment form, pdf. This form may also be used to notify the DOJ if an employee COE holder goes to work for a different firearms dealer.
(PC section 12071)
No. The firearms dealer may choose whether or not to require each of his employees who has access to firearms to obtain a DOJ Employee COE. If the firearms dealer chooses not to require an Employee COE, then the employee does not need to obtain one unless he or she is required to under local licensing requirements.
(PC section 12071)
Download a COE Application Package, pdf. New applicants must take the two completed Request for Live Scan Service forms to a Live Scan station. Please refer to www.ag.ca.gov/fingerprints for Live Scan station locations. Have the Live Scan station submit your fingerprint impressions to both DOJ and FBI. You must pay the Live Scan operator a $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee, a $24 FBI fingerprint processing fee, as well as the Live Scan operator’s fee (Note: the Live Scan operator fee varies by Live Scan site, and the Bureau of Firearms does not regulate or set this price). The Live Scan operator will enter an Applicant Tracking Identifier (ATI) number on your copy of the Request for Live Scan service form. That ATI number documents your fingerprint submissions. After submitting your fingerprints, complete the COE Application form being sure to include your Live Scan ATI number. Because you are applying for a COE as an employee or agent of a licensed firearms dealer you must check the “employee” box and record the licensee’s California Firearms Dealer (CFD) number and dealership name on the application. Submit your completed COE application with the $22 COE application processing fee to Department of Justice to the address shown on the application. Renewal applicants do not have to submit fingerprint images.
(PC section 12071)
California law does not address the issue of who is responsible for COE fees. However, the DOJ will not process the COE application unless the fee is included with the application.
No. On January 1, 1999, the state Board of Equalization ruled that the DROS fees are not subject to retail sales tax. Firearms dealers licensed pursuant to Penal Code section 12071 shall not charge sales tax on the DROS fees. Questions regarding firearms transfer fees can be directed to the DOJ through this website or by calling (916) 263-4887. Questions regarding sales tax can be made to the California Board of Equalization at its website www.boe.ca.gov.
Yes. You may initiate a DROS at a gun show using a paper DROS worksheet. Upon return to your business location, you may manually input the information into your DOJ-issued or privately owned PC using the keyboard. Please remember, the 10-day waiting period does not begin until you submit the DROS to DOJ using your DOJ-issued or privately owned PC and receive a DROS number. Additionally, prior to the delivery of the firearm, you must swipe the purchaser's DMV issued driver's license/identification card through your DOJ-issued magnetic card swipe reader. Then, print out and attach the information to the copy of the DROS that is retained in your dealership records. Following this process complies with the requirement as long as the information on the purchaser's DMV printout matches the same information recorded on the DROS. Detailed instructions for this process are as follows:
Click on the Windows "Start" menu located in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. From the "start" menu choose "Programs" then select "Accessories" then select "WordPad". Next, swipe the purchaser's DMV card through the reader and the information will automatically transfer to the WordPad screen on your PC. Finally, to print the information, choose "File" from within the WordPad program application and select "Print" and then click "ok".
If your DOJ-issued magnetic card swipe reader malfunctions or if the purchaser's DMV card's magnetic stripe is defective, you may manually enter the information using your keyboard. Additionally, you must retain a photocopy of the purchaser's DMV card along with the original DROS.
Penal Code section 12077(f)(2) specifically authorizes dealer's to obtain a photocopy of the purchaser's DMV card in the event the card cannot be swiped through the reader due to technical limitations. However, there exist no statutory/legal exemption from this requirement for transactions that occur at gun shows.
To request a user ID and password, you must contact the DROS Service Center at 1-800-974-DROS (3767) and select option number three for technical support. You will receive a user ID and password immediately, however, it will not be activated and ready to use for at least twenty-four hours.
You may obtain additional MagTek brand Magnetic Card Swipe readers [part number 21080201 (wedge) or 20140107 (USB)] by calling the manufacturer directly at 310-667-6410 or toll free at 800-421-5208 ext. 6609 and ask to speak with Mark Baker. You must inform the manufacturer that you intend to use the device with the California DOJ DROS Entry System. MagTek Magnetic Card Swipe readers are also available from retail outlets. To contact a retail dealer call Gemini Computers at 888-943-6464 and ask to speak with Uri Rozic. You must inform the dealer that you intend to use the device with the California DOJ DROS Entry System and need to purchase one of the MagTek Magnetic Card Swipe readers as noted above. Please note that Verizon Business is not liable for any issues related to the purchase of and/or operation of Magnetic Card Swipe readers.
No. To review and print DOJ DROS denial/rejection notices, you must follow the instructions listed on page sixty-five or the section titled "Reviewing DOJ Notices" of the DROS System User Manual, pdf.
You can download a copy of the DROS System User Manual from the following website address: https://dros.appsolgrp.com/wpsd/manual.pdf
Yes; however loading hardware or software to your DOJ-issued PC may invalidate/void the warranty.
Most off-the-shelf Anti-Virus and/or Firewall software is compatible for use on your DOJ-issued HP Vectra PC.
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