Greetings from the Golden State of Kalifornia!
I recently spotted an old S&W Model 27-2 on Randy Bessler's website. When I checked into purchasing it, I discovered that because an out of state gun like this is not on the "approved list" for handguns being sold in Kalifornia, and because it is not a C&R gun, that there was no way I could legally purchase it. My understanding is that for a handgun to be legally sold in California, the manufacturer must submit 5 samples to the State for "testing." These guns are not returned to the manufacturer after the testing process. Assuming they pass the state's battery of tests, the particular model submitted is then approved for retail sale in the State. So that means samples for each different variation of a particular handgun type (caliber, barrel length, finish, sights, grips--anything that would technically differentiate one gun from another) must be submitted to the State in multiple samples or that variation can not be sold in the State. I understand that many of the smaller manufacturers have opted to pass on Kalifornia, and that the larger gun makers only submit samples of guns they are sure will sell well. Consign sales of used guns seem to (so far) continue to be legal. Of course that means that used "in State" examples of popular guns such as the Colt Python are few and far between, and when you find one that you can legally purchase it will most certainly be priced way over market. I am a native Californian, and this used to be a great State. Thank God they haven't figured out a way to restrict and outlaw the good weather we enjoy. My wife and I are less than 5 years away from retirement, and I regularly think about what it might be like to live in "gun friendly" state. The controlling, restrictive attitude is not limited to just guns, it pervades the culture (at least here in Southern Kalifornia). Everything is illegal, everything is regulated. And yet we enjoy a very high crime rate, and have some of the most outrageous acts of civil disobedience you will ever see. My wife and I may just blast outa' here in a few years.
DougT
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