It is illegal for a private individual to transfer a gun directly to a person living in another state. Interstate transfers must be made through federally licensed dealers. There are no federal restrictions regarding the transfer of firearms from one private individual to another in the same state, unless the transferee is not legally allowed to own a firearm (e. g. , due to being underage or having a criminal record).

For example, the District of Columbia and Hawaii require the registration of all firearms, while New York requires the registration of handguns. Many states require records to be maintained of all firearm sales or transfers, even if they do not require firearm registration. [5] X Research source Do a search for information about gun registration laws in your area using terms like “gun registration laws Hawaii” or “firearm registration Chicago. ”

For example, if you live in New York State and you wish to transfer a gun that is now classified as an assault weapon, you can only transfer it to someone who resides outside of New York State or to a Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer. [6] X Research source You must submit a “Transfer, Disposal, or Loss of a Registered Assault Weapon” form to the New York State Police Pistol Permit Bureau. [7] X Research source

For example, if you live in Hawaii, you might start by visiting the Hawaii Police Department’s Firearm Registration website, here: http://www. hawaiipolice. com/services/firearm-registration There is detailed information about gun laws in every state in the US on the Giffords Law Center website: http://lawcenter. giffords. org/ If you live in Canada, information about firearm laws is available through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian Firearms Program website: http://www. rcmp-grc. gc. ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng. htm

Whether the person is of age to legally own a firearm. Whether they need a license or permit to own a gun in your area. If the person has a criminal history that may prevent them from legally owning a gun.

Once the transfer has been made, the transferee is responsible for registering the weapon, if they live in an area that requires registration.

Bullet button assault weapons can still be registered in California (until June 30, 2018), but cannot be transferred within the state. In order to register your weapon, you must file a report electronically through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS). A bullet button is a device that allows the magazine on a rifle to be removed quickly and easily with the use of a tool (such as a key or the tip of a bullet). Under California law, any gun that does not have a fixed magazine is considered an assault weapon, even if a tool is required to remove the magazine.

Alternatively, you may sell your gun to a licensed dealer, sell it to another individual via a licensed dealer, or sell or transfer your gun to a California police department within 60 days.

If you’re not sure whether the person in question is eligible to own a firearm, ask them to request a personal firearms eligibility check from the DOJ. The eligibility check costs $20, and the application can be found here: http://oag. ca. gov/firearms/forms. Most people must have a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) or Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) before they can purchase or own a gun in California. Otherwise, they must demonstrate that they qualify for an FSC exception. [14] X Research source

The transferee will need to provide proof of age, identity, California residency, and eligibility to own a handgun (e. g. , a Handgun Safety Certificate). [16] X Research source You and/or the transferee will need to pay $25 in state fees (to cover the cost of the DROS, background checks, and transfer registry) in order to complete the transaction. Licensed dealers may also charge up to $10 per firearm for facilitating the PPT.

You can download the form for an intra-familial transfer here: http://oag. ca. gov/firearms/forms. You can also submit a report electronically through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) website. The transferee is also required to have a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC).