California DOJ has pretty much come to grips with the administration and
enforcement of the new "trigger lock law" that requires gun buyers to have
or purchase an approved safety device at time of delivery. Unfortunately, two major hindrances to
effective administration can't be effectively overcome. First, they've been saddled with a poorly
written law authored by our liberal legislators, whose goal is the eventual banning of private
gun ownership, and secondly, a lock industry that for the most part knows very little about guns.
To most it appears to be a classic case of the blind leading the blind. I believe, however, that
we can not afford to ignore the possibility that this incredibly screwed up piece of legislation
was intentionally written to harrass gun owners; other than gun safes sold because of this law,
it certainly does nothing to enhance gun and home safety and in fact any gains made through
gun safe sales is offset many times by the proliferation of unsafe, (my opinion), easily
defeated lock boxes and gun locks.
A better law would have been to offer a tax rebate for gun safe purchases.
Here's what you need to know about the Firearms Safety Device law.
First, it applies to ALL firearms.
Second, except for lock boxes and gun safes approved for multiple firearm storage, a DOJ
approved device must be purchased by the
gun buyer, if not at time of delivery, then within the 30 days preceding delivery of the firearm.
Third the device not only must be approved by DOJ, it must also be approved for
the specific firearm being delivered.
Device availability. As of October, 2003, devices or boxes are generally available and
you have the following choices:
FSD (Firearm Safety Device) Purchase an approved device such as a trigger lock, cable lock, or padlock. Generally available
in our store for $10-$15.
LOCK BOX Purchase a CA-DOJ or UL approved gun safe - OR - a
CA-DOJ approved
gun lock box. Approved gun lock boxes such as the Stack-On or Homak series lockers,
which are generally good for multiple firearm purchases, and run from about $75 - $400.)
GUN SAFE Sign an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, stating that you have a
safe or lock box that meets the criteria. For some rifles and shotguns it's still a gun safe or
no gun. safe prices here start at $499 (AMSEC 5924 Teton) and go up. We carry four lines of gun safes and
have produced an educational video to help you with your selection - watch it in store! There are some serious
surprises in store for you!
Original receipt and locks (FSD's) must be presented together for delivery. The receipt must identify
the lock by make and model, may not be dated more than 30 days before the delivery date,
and must be CA-DOJ approved for the firearm being delivered.
For single firearm lock boxes, original receipt must be presented for delivery.
The receipt must identify
the lock box by make and model, may not be dated more than 30 days before the delivery date,
and must be CA-DOJ approved for the firearm being delivered. A lock box affidavit must be signed.
The lock box need not be present.
For multiple firearm lock boxes, original receipt must be presented for delivery.
The receipt must identify
the lock box by make and model, may be dated more than 30 days before the delivery date,
and must be CA-DOJ approved for the firearm being delivered. A lock box affidavit must be signed
stating in part that there is room in the lock box for the firearm being delivered.
The lock box need not be present.
First offense for dealers selling
an unapproved device is a $500 fine, second offense results in loss of ability to sell guns for 30
days, third offense results in loss of license to sell guns in California for life. Because of this
you will find that most gun dealers are going to be sticklers for the letter of the law. We certainly are.
It's the only way to protect our livelihood.
On advice of counsel there are no returns of FSD's, Lock Boxes, and Gun Safes. We can't afford
a conspiracy charge (allowing someone to buy a lock to facilitate delivery and then allowing
them to return it later). We have to defeat the law in court or in the legislature, in the meantime
we will adhere to it as best we can.
