Gun Stores charging extra fee for PPT.

[DB>)>]

State fee is $37.19, FFL is allowed to charge $10 on top of that (+ $10 additional for additional guns DROS'd at the same time, not all stores know how to do this and will try to do separate $37.19 DROS fees for each firearm).

Before your set up the meetup for PPT, it's better to call the FFL and double check what they ask for fee wise, as well as confirming they are comfortable with the firearm being transferred, especially if it's an "unusual" firearm in some way. You don't want to drive a long distance only to have a screwy FFL refuse the transfer or overcharge you!

It takes extra time to make sure all will go smoothly, but I've learned from experience that there are a lot of FFLs trying to collect bogus upcharges, or refusing to transfer perfectly legal firearms... And of course not all FFLs know all the nuances of all the laws, which are "enough to make an angel swear", so don't get TOO angry as long as they don't try the gouging "storage fee" BS.

This of course doesn't begin to address the out of state transfer fees that you might run into, where pretty much anything goes!

 

[hypax]

Here are some additional datapoints from two PPT transactions I completed this month:

1. Portside Armory in Torrance charges extra fees (~$72 total)
2. FF Firearms in Montebello does not charge extra fees (~$47 total)

No lock charges

 

[cali_jazz]

I had a shop charge a $50 storage fee for the PPT at the time of the transaction. I pointed out to the employee that this was illegal and they didn’t care. I ended up doing a chargeback through the bank and got it back. I think it’s a stupid, greedy, and shortsighted mindset in the side of the business owner. I have to follow the law and do a PPT and they should follow the prescribed law as well. None of us like it but any decent business person would realize that the PPT has potential to drive new business to the shop. There are several stores that I would never have visited if I didn’t go there for a PPT but have since spent a few thousand at each. The place that charged the $50 storage fee? I’ll never go there again and I would not be bothered if they go out of business for such shady practices.

SO TRUE!!! First time in your shop and you want to bend me over because of what the State imposes on you?! F- that. You just lost thousands in future sales. Like someone else said, if you want to voluntarily contribute be my guest, but Mr. LGS don't stick your hand in my pocket and help yourself.

 

[westsidearms]

If I were the consumer, I would not go to an FFL that charges a dime more than allowed by law. After all, you should not even have to do a PPT and you should be able to make occasional sales like the rest of Free America. An FFL should allow you to conduct a PPT at anytime they are open (unless it is 10 minutes to close and they have somewhere to be) and not charge you a cent extra. If the FFL treats you fairly and professionally, you might actually want to buy items at their store that makes them money. The government mandating that people must come to your store should not be looked at as an inconvenience, but an opportunity. Any dealer that does not do this, does not deserve your business. That is right. Dealers should earn your business, not the other way around. However, it is you that allows them to get away with this. Do not allow it. Go somewhere else.

 

[-D.M.-]

I keep an extra lock in my truck because I NEVER get a lock with my purchase. This way I keep getting my same lock back. My LGS charges extra for using a credit card so I always pay cash. The last time they rounded up to an even $50 even with cash. I can see them inching their way up to $60 or $70 if no one calls them out on it.

Damn, I wish I'd had the wits to think this far ahead, but guess who's now got two thumbs and a spare cable lock in each vehicle?

This guy!

Thanks for the fantastic idea.

 

[sass2924]

I guess it will work depending on the shop you go to. Are you providing the lock or is the dealer providing the lock?

What does the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 (CSLA) require of a licensee?​

When selling, delivering, or transferring a handgun to any person other than another licensee, any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer must provide a secure gun storage or safety device to that person for the handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 922(z)]

 

[arm3drv]

I’ve been lucky with the FFL’s that I’ve done PPT’s at…..I have never been charged more than $10 for a PPT and 80% of the time if I bring a cable lock they don’t require a receipt showing it has been purchased within 30 days or require that I purchase one……100% of time I either tip or buy ammo/accessories to show some support for the FFL

 

[kemasa]

While is sucks that the law limits the CA PPT fee to an absurdly small amount and hasn't increased, even though the DROS fee has, it is still the law. If you expect others to follow the law and not steal from you, then it follows that dealers should follow the law and not steal from customers. It is in fact stealing as it isn't legal for a dealer to take that money. ALL dealers should understand that, but either they don't care or don't think it will adversely affect them. They need to understand that by stealing from customers they might get shut down, either by the CA DOJ or by a lack of customers. If they don't like, then they don't have to be a FFL. I don't think that they should play games with the locks either as that amounts to theft as well.

 

[AR15barrels]

Almost a quarter of a century ago, the California Attorney General disagreed with your position.
I’ll keep posting this just in case anybody missed it. (It hasn’t changed or been rescinded): https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/infobuls/0101.pdf

His position is that the FFL can charge a storage fee.
Your linked attorney general document says the ffl can charge a storage fee.
Can you please explain how the attorney general is disagreeing with his position when both positions are the same?

 

[Dvrjon]

His position is that the FFL can charge a storage fee.

His position is:

With that said, it is perfectly legit if the shop charge a storage fee for the 10 days wait. Buyer is using the gun shop's facility, and safe to store his firearm, it is reasonable to pay a fee for that service. But the shop should clearly state that before the transaction begins.

/////////

Your linked attorney general document says the ffl can charge a storage fee.

The AG said the storage fee could be assessed AFTER the requisite waiting period had expired or the DOJ had approved the sale after a DOJ hold had been released. NOT during the waiting and/or hold period.

Subsequent to the end of the 10-day waiting period or one business day following
the notification of the purchaser that his/her DROS has been released from a DOJ
required “hold”, the dealer may charge a storage fee. However, such fees must be
clearly posted and may not be misrepresented as any governmental fee.

//////////

Can you please explain how the attorney general is disagreeing with his position when both positions are the same?

They aren’t the same. Please see above.

 

[FoundFather]

I had a shop charge a $50 storage fee for the PPT at the time of the transaction. I pointed out to the employee that this was illegal and they didn’t care. I ended up doing a chargeback through the bank and got it back......

I have never had a shop try to charge me more than the $10 fee. But if they do, now I know what I am going to do. Thanks!

 

[AR15barrels]

His position is:

/////////

The AG said the storage fee could be assessed AFTER the requisite waiting period had expired or the DOJ had approved the sale after a DOJ hold had been released. NOT during the waiting and/or hold period.

//////////

They aren’t the same. Please see above.

The $10 charge they are allowed by law covers the 10 days of storage during the DROS waiting period.

 

[Bongos]

I was going to Ade's gunshop in Orange for 30 yrs, then a couple of years ago, they charged $47 for the PPT and $15 for the service fee... after that instead of questioning it, I never went back.. Aeon Tactical is the way to go!

 

[Colt Collector]

Today I went to Firearms Unknown in Carlsbad for a PPT. The total came to $58 because it is their store policy to sell you a lock with a PPT even if a lock comes with the firearm you are purchasing.

 

[21SF 2.0]

The one law everyone wants to follow lol

 

[Gryff]

With that said, it is perfectly legit if the shop charge a storage fee for the 10 days wait. Buyer is using the gun shop's facility, and safe to store his firearm, it is reasonable to pay a fee for that service. But the shop should clearly state that before the transaction begins.

That's spectacularly wrong. They cannot charge any additional fee other than DROS and a $10 service fee for the legally mandated PPT process. They CAN charge a storage fee after the 10th day, but not before that.

I keep an extra lock in my truck because I NEVER get a lock with my purchase. This way I keep getting my same lock back. My LGS charges extra for using a credit card so I always pay cash. The last time they rounded up to an even $50 even with cash. I can see them inching their way up to $60 or $70 if no one calls them out on it.

Unfortunately, some FFLs require a receipt for the purchase of the lock within the last 30 days.

but beyond that shouldn't be more than a $10 charge. that's by law. sucks for the shop for sure, but that's by law.

Yes, it is unfortunate for them. It is also one of the costs of doing business as an FFL. If they don't like it, they should open a Subway or a 7-Eleven instead.

 

[AR15barrels]

Unfortunately, some FFLs require a receipt for the purchase of the lock within the last 30 days.

It's not the FFL, but CA state that requires the receipt to be dated within 30 days.

California Code, PEN 23635

 

[AR15barrels]

Today I went to Firearms Unknown in Carlsbad for a PPT. The total came to $58 because it is their store policy to sell you a lock with a PPT even if a lock comes with the firearm you are purchasing.

I return the lock immediately after I pickup the gun and store the gun in my vehicle.
The requirement of having a lock expires after you take possession of the gun.
The lock receipt was only required in order to actually TAKE possession.
Once my need for the lock is over, I return the lock.

 

[mi4mi4]

Thats what I thought, and I read the DOJ law stating that as well. Now I am in a weird position; Do I call them out on the BS fee after picking up my firearms or just let it go. I'm a bit conflicted as gun stores already have a hard enough time doing business in CA. But also taking advantage of customers who already have to pay through the nose in taxes etc. is kind of BS.

I would let it go if their service is great, like no waiting, no attitude... yeah, I know, my standard towards LGS and ranges is low, lol.

 

[S2K ON 2]

Ultimate Gun Shop in Montebello just charged my friend $37.19 for DROS and $75 for a dealer transfer fee. It was a face-to-face PPT...