FAQs
We have detailed here some of the most common questions we get both in the store and over the phone but it doesnt cover everything. If you cant find the answer your looking for here, give us a call or email us and we will do our best to help you
**All documents must be current, and names must match
ID required for all Firearm or Ammo Purchases (for specific information about ammunition eligibility checks , see the FAQ for ammo checks), for sellers in private party transfers, and if we are purchasing your used firearm.
· California Real ID
OR
· California ID with “Federal Limits apply” and either Birth Certificate or Passport or Registered Alien Card or I94 with EXACTLY Matching names. John J Doe on the ID will not work with John Joseph Doe on the BirthCertificate, Passport, Alien Card or I94. Different names may be connected by a Marriage Certificate or court ordered Name Change but must match exactly
IF YOU ARE USING AN I94, YOU MUST HAVE A CURRENT AND VALID HUNTING LICENSE FOR ANY FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION TRANSACTION.
***IF ID does not have the correct residence address, also requires a current government document with the correct address.
For Long Guns (Rifles and Shotguns)
· Firearm Safety Card
OR
· Hunting License
OR
· Concealed Carry Permit, Active or Retired Police, or Active or Retired Military
For Handguns
· Current government doc or connected utility bill
AND
· Firearm Safety Card, Concealed Carry Permit, Active or Retired Military, or Active or Retired Military
Current Government Document with an expiration date or due date and current residence address within last 90 days: Car Registration, Hunting or Fishing License, City Water Bill
Connected Utility bill (Due date within 90 days): PG&E, DirectTV, Comcast, AT&T, Satellite service, or other utility that is not mobile and is fixed to the residence.
NOTE: Trash Service, Newspaper, Insurance, AARP membership, VA ID , registration renewal bills, temporary hunting or fishing license, Hunting/fishing privileges or Tags, Car Title are NOT qualifying “Connected” utility or government document .
Taxes- local sales tax of 8.75% and California Firearms Excise Tax of 11%( this applies to firearms and ammunition).
California DOJ firearm fees- The state charges $37.19 to process the background check and if you need a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) they are $25.
California DOJ ammunition fees- The state charges $1 to process the eligibility check. on 7/1/2025 the state ammunition check fee goes up to $5.
Private Party Transfers- a PPT is subject to the California DOJ fees and a $10 per firearm service fee. for more information about PPTs and when we do them, check out the FAQ about private party transfers.
Receiving Fees:
Ammunition: $20 per shipment box
Long gun/ handgun: $85
Stripped receivers: $50
Law enforcement Firearm: $50
All firearms and ammunition shipped in requires an invoice showing taxes payed, if the seller did not charge sales and/or Firearms Excise Tax, we are required to collect it. if the collected taxes are more than $500 we will charge a 2% credit/ debit card fee.
Every time we sell ammunition we must run an Ammunition Eligibility Check to ensure the purchaser is eligible for purchasing ammunition. This system is not a background check, it is looking at your last firearm purchase they have saved electronically and making sure all the your personal information has not changed. if you have moved or changed your name, this will affect your eligibility check and your information will need to be updated on the CA DOJ site cfars (www.cfars.doj.ca.gov).
The state started keeping track of long gun sales electroniclly in 2014 and handguns in the early 2000s. If you haven't bought a firearm since then, the eligibility check system will deny you.
to fix this you will need to register one of your firearms with the state of California on the DOJ site cfars (www.cfars.doj.ca.gov).
when entering any information on cfars, ensure that CAPS LOCK IS ON and that everything matches your CA ID and that the address on your ID is current. When you enter must match exactly what we enter when we run the check, we are required to use your current residential address and all caps.
We do not get notified when your information is updated on cfars.
Yes, we will facilitate single firearm PPTs throughout the day until 5:40pm. If your transferring more than one firearm an appointment is required. Appointments are generally outside of regular business hours. Please email, Team@hvgun.com to schedule an appointment.
Yes absolutely, when having a firearm or ammunition shipped to the store there are several things you should take into consideration.
Supply the store you purchased from with our email Team@hvgun.com, they will get in contact with us for the transfer. With every shipment we receive, we must unbox and record everything, double check the paperwork included in the box and get any missing documents from the seller.
DO NOT ORDER NON AMMO/FIREARM PRODUCTS WITH OTHER ITEMS, WE CHARGE A RECIEVING FEE ON EACH SHIPPMENT BOX, EVEN IF TEY DONT HAVE AMMO.
Wait until we call you until coming in to start paperwork you may not be able to if the seller did not provide the correct documentation.
If the seller does not charge you for sales tax and/or the new California firearms and ammo excise tax, the state of California requires use to collect it. If we collect taxes more than $500, we charge a 2% debit/credit card fee.
Receiving Fees:
Ammunition/NON FIREARM: $20 per shipment box
Long gun/ handgun: $85
Stripped receivers: $50
Law enforcement: $50
All firearms we buy or sell must be California compliant. all handguns must be listed on the California roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. without factory boxes it may be time consuming to determine if it is on the roster, we may need to look into it and get back to you.
anytime we purchase firearms from the public we require a current California REAL ID. If you have a "FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY" ID we will also need a Passport, Passport card, certified copy of your birth certificate, registered alien card, or I94.
Although we can usually make an appraisal and purchase offer on one or two guns while you wait, for some guns we will need to check them in and get back to you in a few days.
If you have more than a couple guns, please make an appointment by emailing Team@hvgun.com
For large collections an onsite visit can be arranged by emailing us at Team@hvgun.com
Yes we will do pick ups/ transfers from local law enforcement( Napa County). firearms get our standard receiving fee of $85 per firearm and a flat $50 pick up fee. transfers are subject to any state fees. For requests, please email LEpickup@hvgun.com, please include name and contact information for your contact with the LE agency, you, and if it is going to a different person we will need their info as well.
Only a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) can ship firearms into California. Included with the firearm, we will need a copy of your FFL, an invoice for the order, and a California Shipping Approval Letter. Only an FFL can apply for a California Shipping Approval Letter, you can apply for one HERE.