Generally, all firearms purchases and transfers, including private party transactions and sales at gun shows, must be made through a California licensed dealer under the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) process. California law imposes a 10-day waiting period before a firearm can be released to a purchaser or transferee.
Concealed carry is only legal with a California Concealed Carry Weapons License (CCW). The minimum age is 18 years old, although a licensing authority has the discretion to require applicants to be older than 18 years of age.
The California background check is a minimum of 10 days, but can be delayed to 30 days. Some remain undetermined at the 30 day mark, and it is up to the FFL to determine if they release or not.
As of January 1, 2001, no handgun may be manufactured within California, imported into California for sale, lent, given, kept for sale, or offered/exposed for sale unless that handgun model has passed firing, safety, and drop tests and is certified for sale in California by the Department of Justice.
Current Processing Times for Employee Applications License TypeApplication TypeTarget Timeframe Firearms Permit (FQ) Initial 75 days Renewal 60 days Baton Permit (BAT) Initial 75 days Renewal 60 days33 more rows