WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FIREARM PURCHASES

Oct 3, 2026

Guidance on firearm purchases outlines California-related requirements: minimum ages for long guns and handguns, limits on new handgun purchases within 30 days, and the need for a current Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) unless qualifying exemptions apply. It details acceptable DOJ proof-of-residency documents, additional ATF residency checks when IDs don’t match, DROS processing and expiration, delay-release rules, restocking fees for cancellations or denials, and nonrefundable, final-sale firearm fees.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Purchase eligibility and permits

Age limits and purchase limits

Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) and exemptions

Proof of residency for DOJ and ATF

DROS, approvals, and fees

Minimum wait and DROS expiration

DOJ delayed approvals and releases

Restocking fees for cancellations or denials

Nonrefundable and final-sale fees

Locking device and required forms

Proof of approved locking device

Locking when leaving premises

Gun Safe Affidavit and approved lock evidence

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FIREARM PURCHASES You must be 18 or older to purchase a long gun and 21 or older to purchase a handgun, stripped receiver, or pistol-grip shotgun Only one new handgun purchase is allowed in a 30-day period You must have a current Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) when you purchase any firearm, unless you have an active Concealed Carry Weapon Permit (CCW), active or retired Military card, or if you are active or retired Law Enforcement Handgun purchases require current proof of residency for the DOJ, which must have your current physical address and your name printed on it. Accepted forms are: 1. Current Vehicle Registration 2. Property Deed or Title 3. Rental or Lease Agreement* 4. Phone Landline** 5. Cable or Satellite** 6. Gas or Electric Bill** 7. Water** 8. Garbage** 9. Propane Delivery** Purchaser’s are exempt from proof of residence for the DOJ if they are the following: 1. Active CCW permit 2. Active Law Enforcement 3. Military Permanent Duty Station Orders for CA The ATF requires proof of residency if your Driver’s License or ID card does not match your current address. Accepted forms are: 1. Current Hunting License 2. Current Vehicle Registration 3. Government Utilities 4. Any Valid, Government Issued Document There is a minimum 10-day (240 hours) wait for firearm pick-up. Your Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) expires after 30 days from the date it was run. After 30 days a new DROS will have to be run, the fees collected again, and another 10-day wait will be required. Firearm sales that are “delayed” by the DOJ will not be released unless an “approval after delay” is issued. Once you have run a DROS on a firearm, you may be subject to a 20% restocking fee on the retail amount of the firearm if you cancel. If you receive a DROS denial by either DOJ or DMV due to ineligibility, you will be subject to a 20% restocking fee on the retail amount of the firearm. All firearm fees, such as the DROS and Dealer Fees, are nonrefundable. All firearm purchases are final. The purchaser is required to have proof of a California approved locking device for each firearm owned. All firearms must be locked when they leave the premises. The following must be provided if the firearm does not come with an OEM lock and the purchaser will not be purchasing one from us: 1. A Completed and Signed Gun Safe Affidavit (for long guns only) 2. An Approved Lock (new in package) with Proof of Purchase * Must have the signature of the landlord and renter and include the current time period ** Must be issued within the past 3 months

FAQs

What are the age requirements to purchase a firearm?

You must be 18 or older to purchase a long gun, and 21 or older to purchase a handgun, stripped receiver, or pistol-grip shotgun.

What document is required at the time of purchase, and when can it be waived?

A current Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) is required unless you have an active Concealed Carry Weapon Permit (CCW), an active or retired Military card, or you are active or retired Law Enforcement.

What residency documents can be used for DOJ proof, and what if your ID doesn’t match?

For DOJ proof of residency, accepted forms include vehicle registration, property deed/title, certain rental/utility documents, and other listed items. The ATF requires proof of residency if your Driver’s License or ID card does not match your current address, using the listed accepted documents.

How do DROS timing, delays, and cancellation fees work?

There is a minimum 10-day (240 hours) wait for pickup, and the DROS expires after 30 days, requiring a new run and another wait. DOJ delayed firearm sales won’t be released without an approval after delay, and cancellations or DROS denials due to ineligibility can trigger a 20% restocking fee; DROS and dealer fees are nonrefundable and purchases are final.

Oct 3, 2026

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