FAQs

Requirements for purchasing a firearm in California.
  1. You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase a firearm. (See Exemption 1).
  2. You must have a valid California Driver’s License or ID.  If your CDL or CID has Federal Limits Apply, you will also need to show another form of identification.  I.E.  Valid U.S. Passport, Certified copy of U.S. Birth certificate, Alien residency card. (See Military)
  3. Have a valid Firearm Safety Certificate. (FSC) (See Exemptions 2-5)
  4. You need to have proof of California residency, such as a utility bill, residential lease, or a DMV vehicle registration. (utility bill and lease address must match CDL and CID address.)  
  5. You need to be a U.S. Citizen or a legal resident of the United States and have a valid resident card or I-94 documents.
  6. There is a mandatory 10 day background process that is done through the DOJ.  The firearm may only be released if you pass the background process. 
  7. Chula Vista Gun Store has a 20% restocking fee per firearm.

FSC STUDY GUIDE FSC PRACTICE TEST

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EXEMPTIONS

The Exemptions Include but no limited to:

  1. A person 18 years of age or older who possess a valid, unexpired hunting license issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, MAY ONLY PURCHASE A LONG GUN.
  2. An active peace officer, as described in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the course and scope of his or her employment.
  3. An active federal officer or law enforcement agent who is authorized to carry a firearm in the course and scope of his or her employment as a reserve peace officer.
  4. A person who provides proper identification of his or her active membership in the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or active reserve components of the United States.
  5. A Person who provides proper identification that he or she is an honorably discharged member of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or active reserve components of the United States.

MILITARY

  1. A military identification accompanied by permanent duty station orders indicating a posting in California is also acceptable.
  2. Show proof of residency.  I.E. Lease, utility bill, valid California vehicle registration.

https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs

Buying ammo in California

Effective July 1, 2019, persons seeking to purchase or transfer ammunition will have to undergo an eligibility check, and be approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ), prior to the sale or transfer, except as otherwise specified. Departmental approval shall occur electronically through a licensed ammunition vendor. Pursuant to Penal Code sections 30352 and 30370, the Department will determine that a person is eligible to purchase or transfer ammunition if they meet one of the following requirements:

  • The person has a current Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Department.
  • The person’s information matches an entry in the Automated Firearms System (name, date of birth, current address, and driver license or other government identification) and does not fall within a class of persons who are prohibited from owning or possessing ammunition. The Department shall make this determination by cross-referencing the Prohibited Armed Persons file (also known as the Armed and Prohibited Persons System).
  • The person is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing ammunition. The Department determines eligibility based on a comprehensive review of its records (similar to a firearm eligibility check).
  • Please note: this eligibility check requires a manual review of records by a Department analyst. As such, the Department may take longer to respond with a determination as to eligibility. Response times may take several days. Persons will have the ability to check the status of their eligibility check through the Ammunition Eligibility Check Status and Information page (available July 1, 2019.
  • The person was approved by the Department to receive a firearm from the ammunition vendor, pursuant to Penal Code section 28220, if that vendor is a licensed firearm dealer, and the ammunition is delivered to the person in the same transaction as the firearm. In this scenario, the dealer will use the approved firearm eligibility check as the approval to purchase ammunition, and will submit the ammunition purchase to the Department during the delivery of the firearm.