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Posted: 2/22/2002 1:18:23 PM EDT
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does the state government know how many guns you own and what types, do they have like a data base where they can type in your name, social security and figure out what makes and models you own? If so why did they implement assualt weapon registration if they already knew that you owned one? By the way I live in california if that helps answer the question. |
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1911greg, you don't list what state you are in. Here in AZ, the state doesn't know who has what. The only form of "registration" is the 4473, which remains with the dealer until the dealer someday goes out of business, then it goes to D.C. The state doesn't get this information. The instant-check info supposedly is not maintained. Other states like CA, NJ, MD etc. are probably different and more nazilike. |
| In CA "regular" rifles (long guns) and shot guns are not registered. When the background check is done it only says the purchase is for a long gun or shot gun. No serial numbers. So they would only know you went through a check to purchase one but not make, model or serial number. Handguns are registered at time of purchase and the info includes make, model and serial number. An AW can (for all practical purposes) no longer be purchased. You can buy a black powder gun in CA with no waiting period, no background check. Cash and Carry from your favroite gun shop. |
| I'm old(er) and admittedly frequently a little cranky...but, damn it, you do NOT register your guns! I admit that I have gone thru the process to get my Concealed Carry Weapon permit, and the govt probably has a file (paranoia is Good!). But I'll be damned if I will ever register a gun I own (if I ever decide to actually own one (grin)). There - I feel better. |
| Pathfndr got it right. CA DOJ has a list of which handguns you own - make, model, caliber, and serial number, but for long guns that information is kept on file with the FFL holder. DOJ may get that info from the FFL if they want to, but that's usually only in a criminal investigation. That's not the case for so-called assualt weapons which are registered separately. |
Not true. When you fill out the 4473 & it's called in to NICS, the make, model, caliber & serial number is also checked. This is to check (alledgedly) for stolen firearms. |
Sorry Bob, but not in CA. Not for rifles and shot guns anyway. I've watched numerous times while my dealer entered the info and serial number, etc is not part of it. Maybe in TN for some reason but not here. |
In CA the law is that you must go through a CA FFL and a 10 waiting period when you purchase a firearm. Whether it is a private sale or purchased from a dealer. Even if the person/dealer you are buying from is outside CA. Even if you bought the firearm while out of state. To be legal the firearm has to come to a CA FFL before you can take possesion. Of course there are exceptions to every law, but basically that is it. So if you took possesion of a firearm legally as a resident of this state the state would know if you purchased a handgun. The state would know if you had a legally owned AW. The state would know if you went through the background check for a rifle or shotgun, but would not know if you actually took possesion of it unless the searched the records of the FFL who handled the transaction. Does that help make things any clearer? |
| I understand that the state has no knowledge as to a particular make, model, or caliber if it's a long gun (that includes AW's), but if the FFL holder should go out of business, some have said the CA DOJ jumps in and tries to get hold of the records, even though the records should go only to the BATF. Is this the case? |
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BobCole, FYI, in California a FFL dealer completes form 4473 for the feds, and a DROS (dealer record of sale) worksheet for the state. We're not on NICS here, but the system is computerized. Storefront dealers enter the DROS info on a laptop in the store and kitchen table dealers call in the DROS info on a 1-800 number. The DROS worksheet has no make, model, serial number, caliber info on long guns. Only a box is checked to indicate it's a "long gun" being transferred, could be either a rifle or a shotgun. All the state cares about is the DROS info. Federal form 4473 stays in the FFL dealer's records. This apparent confusion over what CA knows about what kind of guns people own comes up every now and then. Back in 1999 when CA passed the AW ban I remember telling the folks on this board that California DOJ does NOT maintain long gun info, only handgun info. The only way DOJ would know if someone bought an assault weapon or a pump shotgun is if HE told them when HE registered it - or if a FFL gave up his license and turned over his records to BATF, and IF BATF shared that info with CA DOJ. |
Maybe CA doesn't use the Federal NICS site in WV? Be interesting to find out. |
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Actually, the PRK DROS system is tied into NICS, but the "interface" that PRK FFLs use is the DROS interface (either via computer or phone). Part of the DROS process is to run the NICS check as well as a PRK check, but this happens automatically by the computer. -Troy |
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