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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
FAQs
**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.
(This will include barrels/ complete uppers starting July 1st 2026)
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/ Barrels/ Complete Uppers: $25 per shipment box
(The Barrels/ Complete Uppers $25 fee starts on July 1st 2026 when SB 704 goes into effect)
Any parts: $20 per shipment box
( at this time there are no DOJ fees for parts. This will include barrels/ complete uppers until July 1st when SB 704 goes into effect)
Long gun/ handgun: $85
Stripped receivers: $50
Law enforcement Firearm: $50
All firearms and ammunition shipped in requires an invoice showing taxes paid, 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.
We know that AB 1263 makes it harder to purchase parts and even some accessories online, we are taking steps to make this easier.
We will be stocking more parts, however we cant have everything. in the next few weeks you should start to see more parts. For obvious reasons the AR platform is the most popular for parts and will be the majority of our selection, however you should also see some stocks and trigger kits for Rem 700 platform rifles and Ruger 10/22 platform. If we don't have what your looking for we may be able to order it.
Some of the larger online retailers are working out shipping parts directly to you with some extra steps, however some will require they be shipped to a dealer for us to process, we will be accepting transfers of parts and accessories. there will be a receiving fee of $20 per shipment box associated with this. This will include barrels/ complete uppers until July 1st when SB 704 goes into effect, after that we will be required to do background checks for barrels/ complete uppers and the receiving fee for them will be the same as ammo( currently $25 per shipment box)
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). ((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). ((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,(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.(https://cflc.doj.ca.gov/)
We mostly carry parts for the AR platform, and some Remington 700 and Ruger 10/22 stocks and other parts. For parts for older firearms we recommend Numrich gun parts corp.
We carry a variety or Vortex and Leupold Scopes, and Vortex and Holosun red dots (pistol and rifle). come check out what we have in, if there is a particular model you are looking for, message us on our website or stop in the store and we can likely order it for you.
We don't generally carry reloading supplies. As a small shop it is difficult to order them, mostly because everyone has a specific powder or projectile that they load and we just are not able to carry a big enough selection.
we do try to have some primers on hand, not a big selection, but if your in a pinch we may have something.
Generally you will need to possess a firearm before starting an application for a concealed carry permit.
Concealed carry permits are issued through your local law enforcement. Generally that is your county sheriff or some cities will issue them. If your city issues them you usually need to go through that city, If they don't you would go through your county sheriff.
If you live anywhere in the county of Napa, including the city of Napa, you would go through the Napa Sheriff's Department.
You will need to go through a class. Approved classes will be determined by your local law enforcement.
Unfortunately we don't have a shooting range (that would be cool). Most of the ranges close to Napa are all about 40 minutes away. we recommend Yolo Sportsmans near Winters, Circle S Ranch near Petaluma, and United Sportsman near Concord.
below are some links to their websites.
https://www.yolosportsmens.com/(https://www.yolosportsmens.com/)
https://www.sonomashooting.org/circles.html (https://www.sonomashooting.org/circles.html)This is for Circle S Ranch
https://unitedsportsmen.com/ (https://unitedsportsmen.com/)
We carry nearly all mainstream brands available on the California roster of handguns certified for sale, as well as some you have never heard of. Sig Sauer, Smith and Wesson, Shadow Systems, Rost Martin, Beretta, Girsan, Springfield, Kimber, Ruger, Rock island, Canik, Walther, and more.
We do some general firearms services like cleanings, sight install, and AR assembling. We also do some specialized bolt action rifle work including muzzle threading and custom bolt action builds.
Click HERE for our full list of services(/services)
Any smithing/ service not listed on the Services page is taken on a case by case basis depending on scope of work and current ongoing projects.
The Firearm Safety Certificate/ Card (FSC) is only for purchasing firearms. You do not need to renew it to keep your firearms ( its not a license).
If yours has expired or you would like to get a FSC, you can take the test everyday we are open. we stop starting people on tests at 5:40pm so that you have time to finish before we close at 6:00pm
The FSC is $25 when you pass.
We don't offer any hunter education or hunting classes. Hunter education information can be found at the link below. After you have your hunter education you can get a hunting license. Sweeney Sports is the closest hunting license issuer to our store.
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunter-Education#333301205-option-1-traditional-hunter-education-courses(https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunter-Education#333301205-option-1-traditional-hunter-education-courses)
We carry hunting rifles, lever actions, semi- auto rifles, and collectables. some of the notable brands we carry are Weatherby, Bergara, Tikka, Savage, Ruger, Juggernaut Tactical, Sig Sauer, Kriss, Auto- Ordnance, Henry, Marlin, CZ, CVA, VKTR, and many more.
If we don't have what your looking for in the store, please let us know and we will see if we can order it.
for quotes, email team@hvgun.com (mailto:team@hvgun.com)or fill out the form on our web site.
We try keep our inventory interesting and the selection is always changing.
if you have seen something in the shop before and would like one, or want something particular come in and talk with us or request a quote thru email.
We do have a variety of used firearms for sale. We only purchase firearms, we don't do consignment.
If you would like to sell us your firearm, please make sure it is not an assault weapon. you can bring them into the store any time. We may make you an offer in the moment, or we may ask that you leave the firearm with us so that we can evaluate it after hours if we are busy or if we feel we need to do more research on your firearm.
California has a roster of handguns that they have approved for sale. This also applies to any firearms that are shipped to a gunshop for a background check. The roster descriptions are not perfect, there are many firearms that look the same and one is ok and one is not. there are specific manufacturers codes for the California models. This is because the California models generally need to have extra parts like loaded chamber indicators, safeties, and magazine disconnects.
Many online retailers either don't know about the roster or do not know exactly what models are on the roster ( example: a specific revolver with a 4 inch barrel may be on the roster, but the same model in a 6 inch may not be, or the same 4 inch gun but in another color may not be, but an online retailer may not understand that). When ordering firearms online to be shipped into California, always cross reference the roster and the manufacturers website. Even when doing that, there are some manufacturers that don't label well on their site for California.
https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search(https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search)
Be aware, when a new firearm is added to the roster, it generally takes several months to start to see it in stores and online.
If you have any doubts that the firearm you are purchasing may not be on the roster, please email us with a link to the page and we will do our best to help.
If a firearm that is not on the roster is sent to us, we charge a reduced receiving fee of $50 plus actual UPS shipping. Handguns must ship 2 day air, and because we are not a big online seller we don't have discounted rates with UPS. Generally we see handgun shipping rates with ups around $100.
some firearms are exempt from the roster, you will find them below.
Law enforcement officers, link below for specific LEO type groups.
https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/exemptpo(https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/exemptpo)
Curio and relic pistols ( need to be able to prove it is over 50 years old) in the original configuration.
Roster of Exempted Olymipc Pistols, link below.
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/op.pdf(https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/op.pdf)
Below you will find a link to the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms web page regarding transportation of firearms.
https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/travel(https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/travel)
At this time we don't offer training, however there are some great local instructors we recommend.
Big Ranch Defensive Firearms Training
https://brdft.net/(https://brdft.net/)
Red Dragon Tactical
https://reddragontactical.us/(https://reddragontactical.us/)
Genesis Firearms Training
https://www.genfiretraining.com/(https://www.genfiretraining.com/)
UNTETERMINED means that California has not made a decision and it is up to the discretion of the gunshop to release the firearm. Generally our policy is to release UNDETERMINED checks.
Rarely, being a small shop means some late nights but we also have families. Reach out to us at team@hvgun.com,(mailto:team@hvgun.com) and we will see what we can do.
The state of California can delay any background checks for 30 days (generally they get resolved in the system a few days after that) for almost any reason. When we receive a delay notice, they do not tell us why, it could be that they have requested a document from an agency or court somewhere and haven't gotten a response, or that they are having a hard time keeping up with the number of background checks. we say this during covid and around the peaceful protests where so many people were buying guns they could not keep up and everyone was getting delays.
If you have been delayed we will call you with any updates.
We recommend shipping long guns yourself through USPS. Don't ship ammo through USPS. Make sure you only Ship to a FFL and include in the box a copy of your ID and contact information for who it is going to.
only ship long guns through USPS.
If the destination is a FFL in California, it is required that a FFL ship it because only an FFL can request the required California Shipping Approval Letter
Handguns need to be shipped 2 day air through UPS or FedEx and unfortunately both of their policies require a FFL to ship.
when we ship a firearm there is a $50 handling fee plus actual shipping from UPS.
Below you will find the current assault weapon regulations as of 4/7/2026 from the California Department of Justice Bureau or Firearms web site. the link to the website is below.
We have this information for your convenience, we are not lawyers and this is not legal advise.
always also do your own research.
Effective January 1, 2000, Senate Bill 23, Statutes of 1999, established new criteria for defining assault weapons based on generic characteristics. This bill allowed and required persons who owned/possessed firearms that fall under the new "assault weapon" definition to register those firearms with the Department of Justice during the one-year period between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2000. Effective January 1, 2000, this bill added Penal Code Section 12276.1 to the Penal Code as follows. Effective January 1, 2011, Senate Bill 1080, Statutes of 2010 reorganized without substantive change the provisions of the Penal Code relating to deadly weapons, to be operative January 1, 2012. SB 1080 also incorporated additional changes proposed by AB 1810, AB 1934, AB 2263, AB 2358, AB 2668, SB 282, SB 1062, and SB 1190, contingent on the prior enactment of those bills. Effective August 6, 2020, Senate Bill 118, Statutes of 2020, expanded the definition of “assault weapon” to include a semiautomatic firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that either does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the attributes currently associated with assault weapons, as specified, that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, or that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
• As used in this chapter and in Sections 16780, 17000, and 27555, “assault weapon” means the following designated semiautomatic firearms:
1. All of the following specified rifles:
2. All AK series including, but not limited to, the models identified as follows:
3. Made in China AK, AKM, AKS, AK47, AK47S, 56, 56S, 84S, and 86S.
4. Norinco 56, 56S, 84S, and 86S.
5. Poly Technologies AKS and AK47.
6. MAADI AK47 and ARM.
7. UZI and Galil.
8. Beretta AR-70.
9. CETME Sporter.
10. Colt AR-15 series.
11. Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100, and AR 110C.
12. Fabrique Nationale FAL, LAR, FNC, 308 Match, and Sporter.
13. MAS 223.
14. HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, and HK-PSG-1.
15. The following MAC types:
16. RPB Industries Inc. sM10 and sM11.
17. SWD Incorporated M11.
18. SKS with detachable magazine.
19. SIG AMT, PE-57, SG 550, and SG 551.
20. Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48.
21. Sterling MK-6.
22. Steyer AUG.
23. Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78S.
24. Armalite AR-180.
25. Bushmaster Assault Rifle.
26. Calico M-900.
27. J&R ENG M-68.
28. Weaver Arms Nighthawk.
29. All of the following specified pistols:
30. UZI.
31. Encom MP-9 and MP-45.
32. The following MAC types:
33. RPB Industries Inc. sM10 and sM11.
34. SWD Incorporated M-11.
35. Advance Armament Inc. M-11.
36. Military Armament Corp. Ingram M-11.
37. Intratec TEC-9.
38. Sites Spectre.
39. Sterling MK-7.
40. Calico M-950.
41. Bushmaster Pistol.
42. All of the following specified shotguns:
43. Franchi SPAS 12 and LAW 12.
44. Striker 12.
45. The Streetsweeper type S/S Inc. SS/12.
46. Any firearm declared to be an assault weapon by the court pursuant to former Section 12276.5, as it read in Section 3 of Chapter 19 of the Statutes of 1989, Section 1 of Chapter 874 of the Statutes of 1990, or Section 3 of Chapter 954 of the Statutes of 1991, which is specified as an assault weapon in a list promulgated pursuant to former Section 12276.5, as it read in Section 3 of Chapter 954 of the Statutes of 1991.
47. This section is declaratory of existing law and a clarification of the law and the Legislature's intent which bans the weapons enumerated in this section, the weapons included in the list promulgated by the Attorney General pursuant to former Section 12276.5, as it read in Section 3 of Chapter 954 of the Statutes of 1991, and any other models that are only variations of those weapons with minor differences, regardless of the manufacturer. The Legislature has defined assault weapons as the types, series, and models listed in this section because it was the most effective way to identify and restrict a specific class of semiautomatic weapons.
48. As used in this section, “series” includes all other models that are only variations, with minor differences, of those models listed in subdivision (a), regardless of the manufacturer.”
•
• Notwithstanding Section 30510, “assault weapon” also means any of the following:
1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:
2. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
3. A thumbhole stock.
4. A folding or telescoping stock.
5. A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
6. A flash suppressor.
7. A forward pistol grip.
8. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
9. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
10. A semiautomatic pistol that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:
11. A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
12. A second handgrip.
13. A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer's hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
14. The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
15. A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
16. A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:
17. A folding or telescoping stock.
18. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip.
19. A semiautomatic shotgun that does not have a fixed magazine.
20. Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
21. A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that does not have a fixed magazine, but that has any one of the following:
22. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
23. A thumbhole stock.
24. A folding or telescoping stock.
25. A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
26. A flash suppressor.
27. A forward pistol grip.
28. A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
29. A second handgrip.
30. A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer's hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
31. The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
32. A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
33. A semiautomatic centerfire firearm that is not a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
• For purposes of this section, “fixed magazine” means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.
• The Legislature finds a significant public purpose in exempting from the definition of “assault weapon” pistols that are designed expressly for use in Olympic target shooting events. Therefore, those pistols that are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee and by USA Shooting, the national governing body for international shooting competition in the United States, and that were used for Olympic target shooting purposes as of January 1, 2001, and that would otherwise fall within the definition of “assault weapon” pursuant to this section are exempt, as provided in subdivision (d).
• “Assault weapon” does not include either of the following:
1. Any antique firearm.
2. Any of the following pistols, because they are consistent with the significant public purpose expressed in subdivision (c):
• The Department of Justice shall create a program that is consistent with the purposes stated in subdivision (c) to exempt new models of competitive pistols that would otherwise fall within the definition of “assault weapon” pursuant to this section from being classified as an assault weapon. The exempt competitive pistols may be based on recommendations by USA Shooting consistent with the regulations contained in the USA Shooting Official Rules or may be based on the recommendation or rules of any other organization that the department deems relevant.
• The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
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