12071.
(a) (1) As used in this chapter, the term “licensee,” “person licensed pursuant to Section 12071,” or “dealer” means a person who has all of the following:(A) A valid federal firearms license.
(B) Any regulatory or business license, or licenses, required by local government.
(C) A valid seller’s permit issued by the State Board of Equalization.
(D) A certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to paragraph (4).
(E) A license issued in the format prescribed by paragraph (6).
(F) Is among those recorded in the centralized list specified in subdivision (e).
(2) The duly constituted licensing authority of a city, county, or a city and county shall accept applications for, and may grant licenses permitting, licensees to sell firearms at retail within the city, county, or city and county. The duly constituted licensing authority shall inform applicants who are denied licenses of the reasons for the denial in writing.
(3) No license shall be granted to any applicant who fails to provide a copy of his or her valid federal firearms license, valid seller’s permit issued by the State Board of Equalization, and the certificate of eligibility described in paragraph (4).
(4) A person may request a certificate of eligibility from the Department of Justice and the Department of Justice shall issue a certificate to an applicant if the department’s records indicate that the applicant is not a person who is prohibited from possessing firearms.
(5) The department shall adopt regulations to administer the certificate of eligibility program and shall recover the full costs of administering the program by imposing fees assessed to applicants who apply for those certificates.
(6) A license granted by the duly constituted licensing authority of any city, county, or city and county, shall be valid for not more than one year from the date of issuance and shall be in one of the following forms:
(A) In the form prescribed by the Attorney General.
(B) A regulatory or business license that states on its face “Valid for Retail Sales of Firearms” and is endorsed by the signature of the issuing authority.
(C) A letter from the duly constituted licensing authority having primary jurisdiction for the applicant’s intended business location stating that the jurisdiction does not require any form of regulatory or business license or does not otherwise restrict or regulate the sale of firearms.
(7) Local licensing authorities may assess fees to recover their full costs of processing applications for licenses.
(b) A license is subject to forfeiture for a breach of any of the following prohibitions and requirements:
(1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the business shall be conducted only in the buildings designated in the license.
(B) A person licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) may take possession of firearms and commence preparation of registers for the sale, delivery, or transfer of firearms at gun shows or events, as defined in Section 178.100 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or its successor, if the gun show or event is not conducted from any motorized or towed vehicle. A person conducting business pursuant to this subparagraph shall be entitled to conduct business as authorized herein at any gun show or event in the state without regard to the jurisdiction within this state that issued the license pursuant to subdivision (a), provided the person complies with (i) all applicable laws, including, but not limited to, the waiting period specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3), and (ii) all applicable local laws, regulations, and fees, if any.
A person conducting business pursuant to this subparagraph shall publicly display his or her license issued pursuant to subdivision (a), or a facsimile thereof, at any gun show or event, as specified in this subparagraph.
(C) A person licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) may engage in the sale and transfer of firearms other than pistols, revolvers, or other firearms capable of being concealed upon the person, at events specified in subdivision (g) of Section 12078, subject to the prohibitions and restrictions contained in that subdivision.
A person licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) also may accept delivery of firearms other than pistols, revolvers, or other firearms capable of being concealed upon the person, outside the building designated in the license, provided the firearm is being donated for the purpose of sale or transfer at an auction or similar event specified in subdivision (g) of Section 12078.
(D) The firearm may be delivered to the purchaser, transferee, or person being loaned the firearm at one of the following places:
(i) The building designated in the license.
(ii) The places specified in subparagraph (B) or (C).
(iii) The place of residence of, the fixed place of business of, or on private property owned or lawfully possessed by, the purchaser, transferee, or person being loaned the firearm.
(2) The license or a copy thereof, certified by the issuing authority, shall be displayed on the premises where it can easily be seen.
(3) No firearm shall be delivered:
(A) Within 10 days of the application to purchase, or, after notice by the department pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 12076, within 10 days of the submission to the department of any correction to the application, or within 10 days of the submission to the department of any fee required pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 12076, whichever is later.
(B) Unless unloaded and securely wrapped or unloaded and in a locked container.
(C) Unless the purchaser, transferee, or person being loaned the firearm presents clear evidence of his or her identity and age to the dealer.
(D) Whenever the dealer is notified by the Department of Justice that the person is in a prohibited class described in Section 12021 or 12021.1 of this code or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(4) No pistol, revolver, or other firearm or imitation thereof capable of being concealed upon the person, or placard advertising the sale or other transfer thereof, shall be displayed in any part of the premises where it can readily be seen from the outside.
(5) The licensee shall agree to and shall act properly and promptly in processing firearms transactions pursuant to Section 12082.
(6) The licensee shall comply with Sections 12073, 12076, and 12077, subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 12072, and subdivision (a) of Section 12316.
(7) The licensee shall post conspicuously within the licensed premises the following warnings in block letters not less than one inch in height:
(A) “IF YOU KEEP A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN ANY PREMISES UNDER YOUR CUSTODY OR CONTROL, AND A PERSON UNDER 16 OBTAINS IT AND USES IT, RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH, OR CARRIES IT TO A PUBLIC PLACE, YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR OR A FELONY UNLESS YOU STORED THE FIREARM IN A LOCKED CONTAINER OR LOCKED THE FIREARM WITH A LOCKING DEVICE, TO KEEP IT FROM TEMPORARILY FUNCTIONING.”
(B) “IF YOU KEEP A PISTOL, REVOLVER, OR OTHER FIREARM CAPABLE OF BEING CONCEALED UPON THE PERSON, WITHIN ANY PREMISES UNDER YOUR CUSTODY OR CONTROL, AND A PERSON UNDER 16 GAINS ACCESS TO THE FIREARM, AND CARRIES IT OFF-PREMISES, OR YOU ARE A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN, WHO KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW THAT YOUR CHILD UNDER 16 HAS GAINED ACCESS TO A FIREARM, AND THE CHILD CARRIES IT OFF-PREMISES, YOU MAY BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR, UNLESS YOU STORED THE FIREARM IN A LOCKED CONTAINER, OR LOCKED THE FIREARM WITH A LOCKING DEVICE, TO KEEP IT FROM TEMPORARILY FUNCTIONING.”
(C) “DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING FIREARMS, OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD, A SUBSTANCE KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM, AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE.”
(D) “FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF THE FIREARM THAT YOU ARE ACQUIRING OWNERSHIP OF WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER YOU COMPLETE THE INITIAL BACKGROUND CHECK PAPERWORK, THEN YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS A SECOND TIME IN ORDER TO TAKE PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF THAT FIREARM.”
(E) “NO PERSON SHALL MAKE AN APPLICATION TO PURCHASE MORE THAN ONE PISTOL, REVOLVER, OR OTHER FIREARM CAPABLE OF BEING CONCEALED UPON THE PERSON WITHIN ANY 30-DAY PERIOD AND NO DELIVERY SHALL BE MADE TO ANY PERSON WHO HAS MADE AN APPLICATION TO PURCHASE MORE THAN ONE PISTOL, REVOLVER, OR OTHER FIREARM CAPABLE OF BEING CONCEALED UPON THE PERSON WITHIN ANY 30-DAY PERIOD.”
(8) Commencing April 1, 1994, no pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person shall be delivered unless the purchaser, transferee, or person being loaned the firearm presents to the dealer a basic firearms safety certificate.
(9) Commencing July 1, 1992, the licensee shall offer to provide the purchaser or transferee of a firearm, or person being loaned a firearm, with a copy of the pamphlet described in Section 12080 and may add the cost of the pamphlet, if any, to the sales price of the firearm.
(10) The licensee shall not commit an act of collusion as defined in Section 12072.
(11) The licensee shall post conspicuously within the licensed premises a detailed list of each of the following:
(A) All charges required by governmental agencies for processing firearm transfers required by Sections 12076, 12082, and 12806.
(B) All fees that the licensee charges pursuant to Sections 12082 and 12806.
(12) The licensee shall not misstate the amount of fees charged by a governmental agency pursuant to Sections 12076, 12082, and 12806.
(13) The licensee shall report the loss or theft of any firearm that is merchandise of the licensee, any firearm that the licensee takes possession of pursuant to Section 12082, or any firearm kept at the licensee’s place of business within 48 hours of discovery to the appropriate law enforcement agency in the city, county, or city and county where the licensee’s business premises are located.
(14) In a city and county, or in the unincorporated area of a county with a population of 200,000 persons or more according to the most recent federal decennial census or within a city with a population of 50,000 persons or more according to the most recent federal decennial census, any time the licensee is not open for business, the licensee shall store all firearms kept in his or her licensed place of business using one of the following methods as to each particular firearm:
(A) Store the firearm in a secure facility that is a part of, or that constitutes, the licensee’s business premises.
(B) Secure the firearm with a hardened steel rod or cable of at least one-eighth inch in diameter through the trigger guard of the firearm. The steel rod or cable shall be secured with a hardened steel lock that has a shackle. The lock and shackle shall be protected or shielded from the use of a bolt cutter and the rod or cable shall be anchored in a manner that prevents the removal of the firearm from the premises.
(C) Store the firearm in a locked fireproof safe or vault in the licensee’s business premises.
(15) The licensing authority in an unincorporated area of a county with a population less than 200,000 persons according to the most recent federal decennial census or within a city with a population of less than 50,000 persons according to the most recent federal decennial census may impose the requirements specified in paragraph (14).
(16) Commencing January 1, 1994, the licensee shall, upon the issuance or renewal of a license, submit a copy of the same to the Department of Justice.
(17) The licensee shall maintain and make available for inspection during business hours to any peace officer, authorized local law enforcement employee, or Department of Justice employee designated by the Attorney General, upon the presentation of proper identification, a firearms transaction record.
(18) (A) On the date of receipt, the licensee shall report to the Department of Justice in a format prescribed by the department the acquisition by the licensee of the ownership of a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
(B) The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any of the following transactions:
(i) A transaction subject to the provisions of subdivision (n) of Section 12078.
(ii) The dealer acquired the firearm from a wholesaler.
(iii) The dealer is also licensed as a secondhand dealer pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 21625) of Chapter 9 of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code.
(iv) The dealer acquired the firearm from a person who is licensed as a manufacturer or importer to engage in those activities pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and any regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(v) The dealer acquired the firearm from a person who resides outside this state who is licensed pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and any regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(19) The licensee shall forward in a format prescribed by the Department of Justice, information as required by the department on any firearm that is not delivered within the time period set forth in Section 178.102 (c) of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) (1) As used in this article, “clear evidence of his or her identity and age” means either of the following:
(A) A valid California driver’s license.
(B) A valid California identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(2) As used in this article, a “basic firearms safety certificate” means a basic firearms certificate issued to the purchaser, transferee, or person being loaned the firearm by the Department of Justice pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 12800) of Chapter 6.
(3) As used in this section, a “secure facility” means a building that meets all of the following specifications:
(A) All perimeter doorways shall meet one of the following:
(i) A windowless steel security door equipped with both a dead bolt and a doorknob lock.
(ii) A windowed metal door that is equipped with both a dead bolt and a doorknob lock. If the window has an opening of five inches or more measured in any direction, the window shall be covered with steel bars of at least one-half inch diameter or metal grating of at least nine gauge affixed to the exterior or interior of the door.
(iii) A metal grate that is padlocked and affixed to the licensee’s premises independent of the door and doorframe.
(B) All windows are covered with steel bars.
(C) Heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and service openings are secured with steel bars, metal grating, or an alarm system.
(D) Any metal grates have spaces no larger than six inches wide measured in any direction.
(E) Any metal screens have spaces no larger than three inches wide measured in any direction.
(F) All steel bars shall be no further than six inches apart.
(4) As used in this section, “licensed premises,” “licensed place of business,” “licensee’s place of business,” or “licensee’s business premises” means the building designated in the license.
(5) For purposes of paragraph (17) of subdivision (b):
(A) A “firearms transaction record” is a record containing the same information referred to in subdivision (a) of Section 178.124, Section 178.124a, and subdivision (e) of Section 178.125 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(B) A licensee shall be in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (17) of subdivision (b) if he or she maintains and makes available for inspection during business hours to any peace officer, authorized local law enforcement employee, or Department of Justice employee designated by the Attorney General, upon the presentation of proper identification, the bound book containing the same information referred to in Section 178.124a and subdivision (e) of Section 178.125 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations and the records referred to in subdivision (a) of Section 178.124 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(d) Upon written request from a licensee, the licensing authority may grant an exemption from compliance with the requirements of paragraph (14) of subdivision (b) if the licensee is unable to comply with those requirements because of local ordinances, covenants, lease conditions, or similar circumstances not under the control of the licensee.
(e) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the Department of Justice shall keep a centralized list of all persons licensed pursuant to subparagraphs (A) to (E), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).
(2) The department may impose a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for a first violation, or a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) for a second or subsequent violation of this section. Failure to pay the required fine shall result in the removal of the firearms dealer from the centralized list of firearms dealers. The fines authorized by this paragraph may be imposed irrespective of any other remedy or penalty that may be applicable, and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or displace the application of any other remedy or penalty for violation of this section that may be applicable pursuant to law. Fines collected pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in the Dealer’s Record of Sale Special Account, as established pursuant to Section 12076.
(3) The department may remove from this list any person who knowingly or with gross negligence violates this article. Upon removal of a dealer from this list, notification shall be provided to local law enforcement and licensing authorities in the jurisdiction where the dealer’s business is located. The department shall make information about an individual dealer available, upon request, for one of the following purposes only:
(A) For law enforcement purposes.
(B) When the information is requested by a person licensed pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code for determining the validity of the license for firearm shipments.
(C) When information is requested by a person promoting, sponsoring, operating, or otherwise organizing a show or event as defined in Section 178.100 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or its successor, who possesses a valid certificate of eligibility issued pursuant to Section 12071.1, if that information is requested by the person to determine the eligibility of a prospective participant in a gun show or event to conduct transactions as a firearms dealer pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b). Information provided pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to information necessary to corroborate an individual’s current license status.
(f) Paragraph (14) or (15) of subdivision (b) shall not apply to a licensee organized as a nonprofit public benefit or mutual benefit corporation organized pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 5110) or Part 3 (commencing with Section 7110) of Division 2 of the Corporations Code, if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The nonprofit public benefit or mutual benefit corporation obtained the dealer’s license solely and exclusively to assist that corporation or local chapters of that corporation in conducting auctions or similar events at which firearms are auctioned off to fund the activities of that corporation or the local chapters of the corporation.
(2) The firearms are not pistols, revolvers, or other firearms capable of being concealed upon the person.