CA DOJ Crack-Down On FFLs

CRPA Supports Efforts To Warn Firearms Retailers About California DOJ Crack-Down On California Dealers

Firearms dealers (FFLs) and California dangerous weapons permit holders beware! According to the dealer service FFLGuard and attorneys representing firearm retailers, the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms (DOJ) has increased the number of audits it performs on firearm retailers.

During the audit process, DOJ closely inspects an FFLs business, records, and internal operations. DOJ is increasingly issuing citations for even the slightest technical violations of the law. DOJ has been especially focused on inspecting FFLs that have dangerous weapons permits, or that employ dangerous weapons permittees. DOJ is cracking down on these permittees, in particular, focusing especially on how the details of how these permittees process, store, and sell “assault weapons.”

Given the recent increase in the number of audits being performed, firearms dealers must be especially vigilant about their compliance procedures. At a minimum, FFLs should self-audit their entire operation, including their record keeping, inventory, and internal procedures to make sure they are fully complying with the law! Firearms dealers who have received notice of an upcoming audit should make sure that they have all of their paperwork, licenses, records, and business license and operations squared away and ready to be thoroughly examined, and should consider seeking professional assistance.

FFLGuard recently put out an alert on this topic, which can be viewed here. Dealers can get more information about surviving these inspections, learn what the most common violations are, and be advised on how to avoid being cited for these violations from the FFLGuard website. FFLGuard is a service offered by a collection of lawyers, subject matter experts, and industry professionals who provide education training and rapid response services to their clients. Visit www.fflguard.com or call 1-888-335-4731 for more information.

Although CRPA supports the efforts of FFLGuard to advise retailers of their obligations and warn them of DOJ’s actions so that they can stay in business and avoid being cited for violations of California’s hyper-technical laws and regulations, CRPA does not profit from FFLGuard’s operations.