I am currently serving in the military and purchased a P250. My next duty station is in Monterey California. I want to continue to go to the range and plan on attempting to obtain my CCW for California. The network that I am on really limits what websites I can go to and what files I can open so I am not able to do the proper research to ensure that I am following the laws once I arrive in CA. I know that the P250 can not be sold in CA, but since I already own it, can I still carry it (if I acquire the license) and take it to the range there, or is that illegal as well since it has a high capacity magazine?

Post your question at

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/index.php

There are folks there who can answer you question.

I left California 12 years ago and have never entertained the thought of moving back. With regards to your question, I was under that impression anyone moving to California now has to declare what handguns he is "importing" to the state, and of course, hi cap mags are a no no. It would be interesting to find out what you discover regarding your military posting. Even if you are allowed to bring stuff in, I'd be surprised if they let you take any of it off base. Please, let us know what you find out.

You can bring the P250 into California, but I believe you have either 30 or 60 days to register it with the CA DOJ. The standard capacity mags (on the other hand) cannot be brought into this state legally. You can disassemble them and bring them into CA, but it would be a felony to re-assemble while in CA. If I remember correctly, the 10rd limited mags for the P250 will be out later this year.

If you are able to aquire a CCW permit and use limited 10rd mags, then you should be able to CCW the P250.

Go to the California DOJ Firearms Division website. You'll find the infamous, ever changing SB15 list of what can be imported into Ca.. Supposedly all "Ca. Approved" handguns need to be in current production, thus able to be tested, to even have a shot at making the magic list. Their makers also have to apply for inclusion. Some makers, STI for example, have just hung it up & refuse to even try to sell in Ca.. Others make special runs of "Ca. Certified" pieces (Ed Brown, for one).If it's not on the list, chances of Ca.legal import are very, very slim. Though not impossible. A few years ago I got a new 3" S&W model 629, left it with my Mom for a housegun Back East, then she sent it back, having gotten a K-frame.357 she liked better. Trying to be a good boy & play by the ever changing rules, I had her get a dealer local to her send it to a dealer local to me. These morons here(a BIG part of the problem is Ca. dealers with extremely bad attitudes, taking out their frustrations on a rapidly shrinking pool of consumers, dealers who seem to feel it's put up with whatever they want to shovel at you or do without)told me it wasn't on THE LIST, I couldn't have it, they were going to ship it back. I came home, got on the phone to the Ca. DOJ Firearms Div.,talked to a guy by the name of "Jerry"(turned out to be the director, go figure...), explained my dilema and asked if there was anything he could do to help. Long story short, I now have an N-frame snubbie I bought new here that now is exempt from THE LIST. It can be done.When I walked back into the shop to get my 629 the manager did a double take & said "I never expected to see you again." I told him the truth, "I don't take well to being F*ck*d with." Also, though this will not help in your particular case, if one wants to import something at least 50 years old, a Curio & Relic FFL is the way to go.

As I'm am quite certain was their intent, Kalifornia lawmakers have done a fine job of making firearms aquisition all but impossible. Some days it just seems like more trouble than it's worth. I came close to falling into that trap. I figured I had what I had, & I was lucky I got what I got When I got it. Then, the more I thought about it, the madder I got. I will NOT bend over & say please.

Good luck.
As a member of the Military you have rights not afforded civillians, on or off base. For example, wether you were issued a standard cap M9 or not, the 10 round mag limitation does not apply to you or members of the law enforcement comunity.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Olderndirt,

I second the reference to calguns.net. Great resource for all things California-firearms related.

An additional resource to find out the basics of the status of California law is the California Attorney General's website: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/

The answer to your specific question might be found here: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/ab991.php

So-called "high cap" mags may not be imported, so technically, you will have to leave those elsewhere. Try to purchase some 10-round mags before coming here.

I assume that your p250 is not a "duty" sidearm? There are a multitude of exceptions to the firearms laws for active duty personnel.

quote:

Originally posted by Olderndirt:
Go to the California DOJ Firearms Division website. You'll find the infamous, ever changing SB15 list of what can be imported into Ca.. Supposedly all "Ca. Approved" handguns need to be in current production...

If you import your own hangun, it does not need to be approved. Although it cannot fall under any other classifications, ie., AW. You have 60 days to register it. The fee is $30 for each registration, IIRC. Although there is no penalty if you happen to register it after 60 days.

So if there are any handguns you want but aren't on the CA Approved List but then BEFORE moving.

As what was mentioned earlier, if you disassemble the mags, they are 'parts' which are legal to import. You can either convert them to 10rnds or not assemble the magazines while in state. Clarification Letter of Large-Capacity Magazines Although it's as clear as milk as they dance around the question.

Go join up at www.calguns.net and do a lot of searching.

Living in Monterey County will make it problematical getting a concealed weapons permit. In a population of just under 500,000, there are a whopping 116 permits, at last count. It could be worse. San Fran has a population of nearly 800,000 and only 10 permits!

I would say your chances of getting permit were not good.

California? Is it even legal to think about guns there?

Since I believe it is illegal to even think about guns in Kalifornia.....I don't ever think about Kalifornia!...nor do I ever entertain any thoughts of going there........not my kind of place!
YMMV

I was stationed there from 03-05. Another problem that you may encounter if you live on base is that the armory doesn't have enough space for privately owned firearms. If you live at Ft. Ord, you're good to go.

BTW I had a great time while I was there. Really beautiful country out there. Have fun!!

quote:

Originally posted by archfire9:
California? Is it even legal to think about guns there?

Technically no, but it is seriously frowned upon.

A possible way is to have the firearm sent directly to the base Combat Arms (or Armory) folks. Pick it up from them and shoot it only on base (assuming you have a range there).

When I was transferred to CA I called the DOJ to talk over black rifles and other issues and they told me, "Whatever you keep and do on base we don't care about. Just don't take anything off the base that "regular" CA folks can't have".

Not sure if that helps but I can give you the name of the best firearms law firm in CA if you want also.