WARNING

SOME PRODUCTS IN OUR ONLINE STORE
MAY NOT BE PURCHASED IN CALIFORNIA!

California has a restrictive list of "Guns Certified for Sale" (see list: http://certguns.doj.ca.gov).

YOU are responsible for knowing if a firearm you wish to purchase
is either on the list, or meets one of the exceptions.

If you order a restricted firearm, or any other legally-restricted product,
you may be responsible for return shipping costs and restocking fees.

If in doubt please call us, or come into our store before ordering.







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Frequently Asked Questions
The best idea is to come into the shop and talk to us.

Do I need a License or Permit to purchase a firearm?

How do I get a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC)?

Who is Exempt from the Handgun Safety Certificate?

What languages can I take the HSC Test in?

Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to buy a firearm?

What documents do I need to purchase a firearm?

What type of ID is NOT acceptable for a firearms purchase?

If I am in the military stationed in California, what documents are required?

I want to buy this new gun I saw in a magazine. Can you get it?

I want to sell my firearms to a friend. What do I need to do?

What documentation is acceptable to demonstrate "Proof of Residency" for handgun purchasers?

Do I need a License or Permit to purchase a firearm?

No. California has no requirement for a permit or license to own a firearm. What California has is the Handgun Safety Certificate (called an HSC Card). Having the Card shows the gun shop that you have basic knowledge of handgun safety and California Law related to handguns. An HSC is only necessary when you are purchasing a handgun; not for the purchase of rifles or shotguns.

How do I get a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC)?

Any store that sells handguns must offer the HSC test and card to customers that want to buy a handgun. Some stores will only give the test to customers buying a handgun.

We offer the HSC test to anyone of legal age to purchase a handgun.

The test is $10 and the Card is $15. If you do not pass the test the first time, you may retake it (at the same shop or location) the next day with no additional charges.

Please download the HSC Study Guide (PDF) (Spanish) or purchase a printed version of it at our store or at another local gun shop for $0.50 plus tax. You may also download the Manual in English.

Who is Exempt from the Handgun Safety Certificate?

Here is a list of HSC exemptions. If you do not have credentials showing you meet any of the listed exemptions, then you must have an HSC Card.

What languages can I take the HSC Test in?

It is only available in English and Spanish. If you do not read and write either of those two languages, you must find a gun shop that has an employee who speaks your language to translate. You cannot bring your own translator.

Unfortunately at American Gun Works, we speak only English.

Download the HSC Study Guide (PDF) (Spanish) or purchase a printed version of it at our store or at another local gun shop for $0.50 plus tax. You may also download the Manual in English

Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to buy a firearm?

No. But you must be a legal resident with a Green Card if you are not a U.S. Citizen. If you have one, please bring your Green Card with you when you want make a purchase, as we will need to make a copy of it.

What documents do I need to purchase a firearm?

  1. Rifles or Shotguns (long guns)
    If you are a U.S. Citizen you must have a valid, California-issued Drivers License or Identification Card. If you are a Green Card holder you must have your Green Card as well.

  2. Handguns
    If you are a U.S. Citizen you need 3 Documents:
    1. California Drivers License or I.D. Card, as above for long guns.
    2. A Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) Card
    3. Proof of Residency (Proof of Residency Requirements)
      This is different than your Drivers License or I.D. Card.


What type of ID is NOT acceptable for a firearms purchase?

"Clear evidence of identity and age" is defined as: A valid California Drivers License or a valid California Identification Card issued by the DMV.

Temporary Drivers Licenses and temporary Identification Cards (issued without photo) are NOT accepted forms of proof of identity and age. (PC section 12071(c)(1))

If I am in the military stationed in California, what documents are required?

Military Identification is also acceptable IF it is accompanied by permanent duty station orders indicating a posting in California. The dealer must retain copies of both documents.

I want to buy this new gun I saw in a magazine. Can you get it?

  1. If it is a handgun, California has a list of new and used handguns that dealers may sell. With a few exceptions, if the handgun is not on that list (make & model) a dealer can NOT sell it to you.
    1. It can NOT be an “Assault Weapon” as defined by California Law.
    2. It CAN be a "Curio Relic" as defined and listed by the ATF, or over 50 years old by Date of Manufacture.
    3. It CAN be a Single-Shot Pistol, under the Exemption as defined by California Law.
      It must be listed in California's Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale.
    4. It CAN be an Olympic Target Pistol, as defined by California law.

  2. If it is a long gun, make sure it is NOT an “Assault Weapon” as defined by California Law.
    1. Assault Weapon Guide
    2. Roster of AK & AR Series Weapons


I want to sell my firearms to a friend. What do I need to do?

This is called a "Private Party Transfer". Both parties (seller and buyer) must present themselves at a gun shop to complete the transaction. In California, both the seller and buyer must have a California I.D. Card or Drivers License. If the seller or buyer is a resident alien they must bring their Green Card. The purchaser must have all the documents listed above as required for either handgun or long gun purchase.

What documentation is acceptable to demonstrate "Proof of Residency" for handgun purchasers?

From the California Proof of Residency Requirements web page:

  • Utility bill from within the past three months that bears on its face the individual's name and either of the following:
    • The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form
      or
    • The individual's residential address as it appears on his or her California Drivers License or California Identification Card, or change of address attachment thereto.
    "Utility bill" means a statement of charges for providing service to the individual's residence by either a physical connection (i.e., hard wired telephone connection or cable connection, or a water or gas pipeline connection) or a telemetric connection (i.e., satellite television or radio broadcast service) to a non-mobile, fixed antenna reception device.

  • Residential lease that bears the individual's name and either of the following:
    • The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form
      or
    • The individual's address as it appears on his or her California Driver License or California Identification card, or change of address attachment thereto.
    "Residential lease" means either of the following:
    • A signed and dated contract by which the individual (tenant) agrees to pay a specified monetary sum or provide other consideration for the right to occupy an abode for a specified period of time
      or
    • A signed and dated rental agreement by which the individual (tenant) agrees to pay a specified monetary sum or provide other consideration at fixed intervals for the right to occupy an abode.

    • Property deed that bears the individual's name and either of the following:
      • The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form
        or
      • The individual's address as it appears on his or her California Drivers License or California Identification Card, or change of address attachment thereto.
      "Property deed" means either or the following:
      • A valid deed of trust for the individual's property of current residence that identifies the individual as a grantee of the trust
        or
      • A valid Certificate of Title issued by a licensed title insurance company that identifies the individual as a title holder to his or her property of current residence.

    • Current, government-issued license, permit, or registration, other than a CA Driver License or CA Identification Card, that has a specified expiration date or period of validity. The license, permit, or registration must bear the individual's name and either of the following:
      • The individual's current residential address as declared on the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) form
        or
      • The individual's address as it appears on his or her California Driver License or California Identification Card, or change of address attachment thereto.
    Examples of acceptable proof of residency:
        - Current DMV registrations.
        - Electricity, gas, cable bill with purchaser's name printed on it from within the last 3 months.
        - Signed, dated and notarized rental agreement or contract.

    Examples of documents that are NOT acceptable proof of residency:
        - Hunting or fishing license (these documents are not issued by the government).
        - Cellular phone bill.