I am considering giving a colleague a handgun as a gift for his support to my business this past year. I have a gun he really likes and I'd love for him to have it...problem is that he lives in California. Anyone know the laws about gifting a gun to somebody in this situation? Or maybe you know who would be best to contact? Thanks.

First off you would need to make sure it is on the Ca approved gun roster and that the gun itself is in a California legal configuration. Also you would have to go through an FFL and he will have to do the background check. The FFL will hold onto the gun for the ten day waiting period and after everything checks out he will be able to go pick it up.

I lived in Cali until I joined the military and found the free states lol

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a lot of trouble.....dang hippies! lol.

Well it's like breakfast cereal. You get rid of the fruits and nuts and all that's left are the flakes. Thank goodness there's a place called Texas.

I went through this a few years ago because my best friend lives there. I found out that the "approved" list of firearms refers to guns sold through dealers. In CA, all gun sales must go through an FFL - so the word "dealer" covers that.

However, that particular list doesn't apply to gifted guns. BUT, when shipped, they must go through an FFL anyway. The magazine capacity and "assault rifle" rules still apply!

It is important to understand that the ATF allows you ship guns to yourself in other states including California, without an FFL if you are going there to shoot. The shipment MUST BE clearly marked that it cannot be opened by anyone else but you. My Dad and my best friend live there so I travel to see them. If I ship a gun or two ahead of my trips, so that we can shoot together - I always hope that I remember to ship back what that I sent out there........

Depending upon where your colleague lives, there are additional restrictions. For instance, you WILL go to jail for possession of a single .50BMG round in the city of Los Angeles, but not in the rest of LA County. There are many more localized examples because gun registration is the big thrust there right now.

Do your homework!

Marc