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To buy a gun in San Diego, California, you must visit a licensed firearms dealership and present your Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC), which proves you can safely handle and operate a handgun. By California law, you must wait 10 days as part of the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) process before you can take the handgun home. You can then revisit the licensed firearms dealership within 30 days, and demonstrate to the dealer that you know how to use the handgun you have purchased. If you do not have an HSC, you can obtain one by visiting any licensed firearms dealership and passing the Handgun Safety Certificate Test with a score of 75 percent of higher. You can then present your HSC to any licensed firearms dealer to purchase a handgun.
Steps
Handgun Safety Certificate
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1Verify that you qualify to receive an HSC. You must be at least 21 years of age, be a resident of California, and have a valid California drivers license or identification card.[1]
- If you are 18 years of age, you can still receive an HSC, but you will only have the ability to buy a rifle or shotgun.
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2Obtain a copy of the HSC Study Guide. The study guide will help prepare you for the test to receive your HSC, and can either be downloaded from the Internet or be found at any firearms dealership.[2]
- Buy a copy of the study guide from any licensed firearms dealership in San Diego for 50 cents (0.36 euros). To locate the nearest San Diego licensed firearm dealership, refer to your local phone directory or visit the "Shooting for San Diego" website featured in the Sources section of this article.
- Download a copy of the study guide for free from the Internet. Go to the California Attorney General website featured in the Sources section of this article, then click on "Handgun Safety Certificate Program" on the left sidebar. You can then click on the "Study Guide" link on the following page to access the study guide.
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3Read and review the HSC Study Guide. In order to receive the HSC, you must pass the test with a score of at least 75 percent.
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4Collect the testing fees required for the HSC. The testing fee is 25 dollars (18 euros) and allows you to take the test up to 2 times, if needed.[3]
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5Visit a licensed firearms dealership to take the test. After you have passed the test, you will receive your HSC, which is valid for 5 years.
- Verify with the firearms dealership before you visit that a Department of Justice (DOJ) Certified Instructor is available at the firearms dealership to administer and oversee the test.
- Bring your California drivers license or identification card and the HSC fees to the dealership when you take the test.
Buying a Gun
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1Gather the materials required by the firearms dealership. The firearms dealer will need verification that you qualify to buy a gun.[4]
- Bring your HSC, your California drivers license or identification card, and an additional document that proves your California residency; such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or property deed.
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2Visit the firearms dealership to buy a gun. Upon selecting your gun, the firearms dealer will verify your documents and begin the DROS process.
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3Revisit the firearms dealership to receive your handgun. The DROS process requires you to wait at least 10 days before you can take your handgun home. You will then be required to demonstrate to the dealer that you can safely operate the handgun you purchased.[5]
- In some cases, dealers will allow you to perform the handgun safe-handling demonstration at the time of your initial visit to buy the handgun.
- If you do not revisit the firearms dealership within 30 days of the initiation of the DROS process, you will have to restart the gun purchase and DROS procedure, which will require you to wait another 10 days for the handgun.
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I register a gun?
Community AnswerYou have to contact your local police department, and find out the requirements for owning a gun. You may need to have special certifications, and there will likely be a class you have to take before you can register for a permit. -
QuestionDo Marine Corps vets have to take the test?
Joshua ChariteCommunity AnswerYes, a paper test and a physical one.
