Hopefully moving to SoCal....

[MB2009]

Gentlemen, I have a question regarding law enforcement officers owning firearms and California law. I currently live in SC and I am going through the application process to a federal agency that may place me in CA. I know I still have to recieve a final offer and make it through the Academy, but I like to be as prepared as possible. I have a nice collection of firearms including several semi-auto pistols (high capacity)and SA rifles, two of which are the dreaded black rifles an AR15 and a Mini14 both with pistol grips and obviously removable magazines. I am not very familiar with CA law but am aware that these two rifles and a couple of my pistols, due to capacity, may not be legal there. Due to the fact that LEO's may carry both of these weapons for duty and may take their duty rifle home with them, if they have a take home vehicle, are there exceptions to ownership for LEO's for these types of firearms or does it only apply to issued duty weapons? I ask because in other areas of the country there are exceptions for LEOs such as in DC where they are allowed to have handguns in their home. I believe that is the case but I may be slightly wrong, but I know there is an exception. I would like to find out as far ahead as possible because several of these firearms were gifts from my Grandfather who is quite advanced in age and I would like to make arrangements for storage where they are legal if necessary. Thanks for your replies and help, and thanks for all you do.
MB2009

[SgtCHP]

Don't ask, don't tell!

As long as your agency approves the types of weapons you mention there is no problem. No CA cop is going to knock on your door and ask to see your weapons collection.

Problems arise when stupidity prevails. Store the weapons in a safe, don't publicize their presence and enjoy your collection.

Good luck in your job seek!

[Nobody]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/07/wisconsin.capone.hideout.auction/index.html

[MB2009]

Thanks guys, I kinda thought that would be the situation. I was kinda hoping for a legal exemption. As far as keeping weapons in AZ, With CA laws being what they are I would guess there are places where you can store firearms safely and securely such as a gun range or shop with storage safes for rent, kind a like a humidor vault in some cigar shops or clubs? Does anybody have any info on places near the AZ CA border?

[Sleuth]

1. Get offered a job
2. Pass the Academy
3. DO NOT break CA law, or 1 & 2 will not matter.

In other words, you are way to far ahead of yourself.

[LA DEP]

Just know that there is NOT an exception for LEOs to possess 'evil black rifles' as personal weapons unless you have permission and a letterhead from your department chief......and I know for a fact that there is at least one agency in SoCal that wont give them out.

[DAL]

The handguns are not much of a problem; the only issue is the magazines. There is an exemption for law-enforcement officers with respect to magazine capacity, and it is not specific to your duty weapon.

You should be aware that California law requires you to register all the weapons you bring in from out of state if you move here. I think that applies to long guns as well as handguns. The California DOJ has all the laws and regulations on its website.

[MB2009]

Thanks Sleuth I am asking exactly for that reason I want to make sure that I am in compliance. Being a former Customs agent Im sure you know how the Fed system works. I am at the point where the offer could come at anytime, and I have been told that you may have as little as two weeks after the offer to show up for EOD. That and the fact that when I am at the Academy I will have many more important things to concentrate on, and after graduation I will only have a short time accrued to use moving my family to our new home, which means I am not to far ahead of myself. This is one of many things that needs to be squared away by me, not left to be dumped on my wife to deal with. The more information I have the easier things will be for her and myself.

LA DEP this Agency you speak of, is it on the Federal Level? That permission and letterhead is the type of exemption I was refering to. Thank you it gives me a solution to look into, although that one will have to come a little further down the line. Like when I pass the Academy my 7 and 10 and probation. It is exactly what I was looking for

Thanks DAL I was not aware of the registration requirements especially for long guns like hunting rifles and shotguns. How does CA look upon owning weapons that are kept out of state such as in AZ. I wouldnt think they could have anything to say on the matter but it is CA, no offense intended.

[DAL]

Thanks DAL I was not aware of the registration requirements especially for long guns like hunting rifles and shotguns. How does CA look upon owning weapons that are kept out of state such as in AZ. I wouldnt think they could have anything to say on the matter but it is CA, no offense intended.

I am not sure about long guns; check the website.

As for keeping weapons out of state, it was suggested by someone at the AG's office for a friend who was moving here from another state and had rifles that no longer could be registered in California ("assault" rifles) and submachine guns. Being a California resident does not make it illegal for you to own these weapons; you just cannot possess or keep them here.

[Rogue One]

Here is a link to the DOJ web page FAQs

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.php#24

Here is an excerpt:

I am moving into California and I own several handguns. What are the new-resident registration requirements?

You are considered to be a personal handgun importer as defined by California law. You may bring all of your otherwise California-legal firearms with you, but you must report all of your handguns to the DOJ within 60 days as required utilizing the New Resident Handgun Ownership Report. PDF logo [PDF 518 kb / 2 pg] You are not required to report rifles or shotguns.

I would advise leaving firearms prohibited by state law stored outside the state, as burglaries, fires, domestics and other unexpected occurrences could put you in a bad position with your law enforcement employer.

[MB2009]

Thanks for the link and the info.