How to Sell a Gun in California

Highlights:

• Private gun sales are only allowed in California if processed by a licensed local gun dealer.
• California gun dealers can charge you a fee for processing private gun transfers.
• California gun dealers need to fill in a DROS or Dealer Record of Sale for every transaction.
• Cash for Arms offers one of the simplest ways of selling a gun for a good price in California.

Step 1: Learn the Rules for California

It’s no exaggeration to say there are dozens of laws for gun sales in California. The rules most relevant to sellers like you are the ones below.

Are Private Gun Sales Allowed in California?

Private gun sales are allowed in California if processed through a dealer with both of these:

• An FFL or Federal Firearms License
• A state seller’s permit

This rule applies whether you’re transferring guns for sales or as gifts. Both cases have to be processed as private party transfers.

Exceptions include transfers to family members.

How Much Do FFL Dealers Charge to Process Private Party Transfers in California?

FFL dealers charge up to $47.19 to process private gun transfers in California.

$37.19 of that goes to the state to pay for DROS, among other things. That’s the state’s mandatory Dealer Record of Sale process.

The remaining $10 goes to the dealer as the processing fee. Dealers can also charge an additional $10 for each added gun.

How Can You Get an FFL Dealer to Process Your Private Gun Transfer in California?

To get an FFL dealer to process your private gun transfer in California, just ask one. FFL dealers are required to help and get paid for it anyway.

How Do Private Party Transfers of Guns Work in California?

Private party transfers of guns in California essentially work like this:

• You and your buyer meet at a California FFL dealer’s store.
• You ask the dealer to process the transfer (the buyer usually pays for this).
• You and your buyer fill out the forms provided by the dealer.
• The dealer ensures your buyer’s eligibility through various checks.
• You hand over the gun to the dealer, who keeps it until the waiting period is over.
• If all clears, you collect your payment and the buyer collects the gun from the dealer.

Are Background Checks Required for Gun Sales in California?

Background checks are required for gun sales in California. FFL dealers initiate them by contacting authorities about gun sales.

Because California is a Point of Contact or POC state, California authorities do the background checks on buyers themselves. In non-POC states, the FBI does them.

Both POC and non-POC states use the same database for this, though. It’s the National Instant Background Check System or NICS.

What’s the Waiting Period for Gun Sales in California?

The waiting period for gun sales in California is 240 hours or 10 days.

Are Safety Devices Required for Gun Sales in California?

Safety devices like locks are required for gun sales in California. So, every gun sold here should come with one of the approved devices on the state’s list.

You can find exceptions to this rule in Cal. Penal Code § 23635. For example, a safety device doesn’t need to come with a sold gun if the buyer can prove he already owns a suitable one.

Are There Guns You Can’t Sell in California?

There are guns you can’t sell in California, including these:

• Handguns not on the pre-approved list (Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 11, § 4070)
• Cane guns (Cal. Penal Code § 24410)
• Wallet guns (Cal. Penal Code § 24710)
• Guns not immediately recognizable as firearms (Cal. Penal Code § 24510)
• Undetectable firearms (Cal. Penal Code § 24610)
• Unconventional pistols (Cal. Penal Code § 31500)
• Short-barreled rifles and shotguns (Cal. Penal Code § 33215)
• Zip guns (Cal. Penal Code § 33600)

Step 2: Learn the Rules for Gun Buyers in California

If you want to sell a gun to a private party, you need to know these too. You’ll be able to tell who should be off your buyer list instantly with them. That can spare you a lot of time and trouble!

What Do People Need to Buy a Gun Legally in California?

If they’re private parties, here are the things people need to buy a gun legally in California:

• The ability to pass a safe handling demonstration of the gun
• Firearm Safety Certificate or FSC
• Evidence of identity and age
• Proof of residency in California

When selling guns to private parties in California, check for at least the last three items. If your buyer doesn’t have them, don’t waste your time going to a dealer for the transfer.

What IDs Can Be Used as Evidence of Identity and Age in California?

Gun buyers can use these IDs as evidence of identity and age in California:

• A valid California driver’s license
• A valid California ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles
• A military ID accompanied by permanent duty station orders for a posting in California

For the third option, the FFL dealer processing the transfer has to keep copies of both documents.

What IDs Can Be Used as Proof of Residency in California?

The IDs gun buyers can use as proof of residency in California depend on whether they’re buying handguns or long guns.

For handguns, they need both of these:

• Any government-issued ID showing their current address
• Any other official and current document listing their current address, e.g. current lease agreements, utility bills, vehicle registration, etc.

For long guns, they need at least one of these:

• Any government-issued ID showing their current address
• If the first ID doesn’t have a current address, additional governmental documentation listing their current address, e.g. vehicle registration, voter registration cards, etc.

Are There Limits to How Many Guns People Can Purchase in California?

California limits buyers to purchasing no more than 1 gun every 30 days from an FFL dealer. This limit also applies to gun transfers between private parties from January 1, 2025 onwards.

This law is currently being challenged. On March 11, 2024, a district court judge ruled that this limit was unconstitutional.

However, California’s Attorney General has appealed the decision. Legal proceedings are ongoing, so the current limit still stands.

If you're looking to sell a large amount of guns, Cash for Arms offers liquidation services in California.

Is There a Minimum Age for California Buyers?

The minimum age to buy guns in California is 21.

It goes down to 18 for a few exceptions, as in these examples:

• If the gun isn’t a handgun and is being transferred with the permission of the recipient’s parent or legal guardian
• If the gun is an antique firearm or a firearm manufactured before January 1, 1899

Who Can’t Buy Firearms in California?

The people who can’t buy guns in California are those who:

• Have been convicted of a felony
• Have been convicted of certain hate crimes
• Have been convicted of unlawful misuse of firearms
• Have been convicted of certain domestic violence crimes
• Have been convicted of certain child or elder abuse crimes
• Have been convicted of violating California laws on firearm safe storage
• Have been convicted at least twice of brandishing or displaying a firearm for any purpose other than self-defense
• Know they have outstanding warrants that would lead to them being prohibited guns if they ended up with convictions
• Are under 30 and have been juvenile court wards who’ve committed offenses that involved drugs, guns, or violence
• Know they’re subject to a court-issued protective/restraining order or injunction
• Have been discharged dishonorably from the Armed Forces
• Aren’t allowed to own guns as a condition of their probation
• Have been adjudged as mentally disordered sex offenders
• Have a history of severe mental illness
• Have a history of habitual alcoholism
• Are addicted to any narcotic drug
• Are under 21 (with some exceptions)
• Have renounced US citizenship
• Are fugitives from justice
• Are illegal aliens

Step 3: Choose How to Sell the Gun in California

Once you know the rules for selling guns in California, it’s time to sell! Here are the legal options available to you in the state.

Option 1: Cash for Arms

Cash for Arms offers one of the simplest ways to sell guns in California. Our process takes only 3 steps and can be done from your home. You even get multiple payment options and great market prices for your gun.

• Submit the gun on our website and expect an offer in an hour.
• Accept the offer and ship the gun to us (don’t worry, we pay for it!).
• Get paid the way you prefer within 24 hours of us getting the package.

Good to know: We can also take your gun on consignment if you want to potentially earn more. Just remember that this is best for people who can afford to wait.

Option 2: Local Gun Stores

California’s local gun stores are obvious choices if you need a fast, face-to-face sale. The downside? They won’t pay you a lot for the gun. Still, you do get safety and a simple-enough transaction.

• Call your local gun stores to find ones interested in buying your gun.
• Bring the gun to those stores so they can do appraisals.
• Collect different stores’ offers until you have enough to compare.
• Sell the gun to the store making the highest offer.

Good to know: California gun laws require you to transport guns unloaded. If it’s a handgun, it also needs to be in a locked container that’s not easily accessible. That means your car’s trunk is fine but your glove compartment isn’t. Careful when taking your gun to a store!

Option 3: Local Pawn Shops

A few California pawn shops have licenses to buy guns. Expect the same virtues as gun stores but with a new downside: even lower prices than gun shops.

We can’t recommend pawn shops unless you’re really out of options. If you do have to sell to one, just follow the same steps we gave for gun stores. And remember to get as many offers as possible!

Option 4: Private Buyers

It can be a lot of trouble to sell guns to other private parties in California. Yet it still has something going for it: a chance to get high sale prices.

• Find a buyer with an offer you like.
• Choose a California gun dealer with an FFL that’s convenient for both of you and meet there.
• Ask the dealer to process the private party transfer and follow his instructions.
• Give the gun to the dealer for safekeeping and finish the 10-day waiting period.
• Get paid by your buyer (who collects the gun from the dealer).

Good to know: Research your gun’s value before posting it for sale. Try looking up similar listings on GunBroker and CalGuns. The latter’s marketplace is also a good place to post your gun.

Remember, too, that listings that sell on CalGuns have their price details removed. So, most of the listings you’ll see during research will be on the high end of the range. They’ll be the ones that haven’t sold yet or aren’t selling quickly – so perhaps price below them!

Conclusion

As you can see, you have several options for selling guns in California. For those highly concerned about convenience, Cash for Arms is always available as a buyer.

We give Californians one of the easier ways to sell guns without much effort. Paired with our high offers, this makes us one of your main options for both profit and simplicity.