Is selling my firearm to WeBuyGuns.com legal in California?

Yes. We are a federally licensed firearms dealer located in the state of Indiana. You, the seller, are covered under our license just as you would be if you walked into our store. There are no laws preventing you from selling your firearm to us.

Can I sell a firearm I do not have the original box or paperwork?

Yes. In most cases we only need clear photos and accurate details so we can make a documented offer. If anything else is needed, we will tell you during the review.

Does WeBuyGuns.com purchase multiple firearms, collections or estates?

Absolutely! Once firearm information has been submitted, you will have the ability to submit additional firearms for review and offers. These firearms will be viewable from your user panel, which you access from your initial offer email. If you have a large number of firearms or an estate, it is best to contact us directly (to save you time).

We will either send you a check, or we will issue the funds via a secure ACH direct deposit. During the offer approval process, you will tell us which method of payment you prefer.

What if I inherited firearms and don’t know much about them?

Inherited firearms are common. You can start by sending photos or a simple list of items and we’ll help identify what you have, explain what affects value and guide you through the next steps before anything is shipped.

I inherited a firearm in California. Do I have to register it before I can sell it?

Not necessarily. While California law (Penal Code § 27875) generally requires heirs to report a transfer within 60 days, you can bypass this registration process by selling the firearm directly to a licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) like WeBuyGuns.com. By selling to us, we document the intake through the state’s DROS system, effectively "closing the book" on that firearm’s history without you needing to file additional state paperwork or pay registration fees.

Can I sell a handgun that isn't on the California "Handgun Roster"?

Yes, but the process is tricky. "Off-Roster" handguns (like newer Gen 5 Glocks or Sig Sauers) cannot be sold by a dealer to a regular citizen, but they can be sold via Private Party Transfer (PPT) or to a licensed dealer. If you try to sell this privately, you have to find a buyer yourself and meet at a gun store twice. WeBuyGuns.com is licensed to purchase Off-Roster firearms directly from California residents, offering you a legal, documented way to sell premium or "unsafe" (by CA definition) handguns without the hassle of a parking lot meetup.

Can I sell a firearm that has "Assault Weapon" features (like a pistol grip or folding stock)?

California’s definition of "Assault Weapons" is one of the strictest in the nation (Penal Code § 30510). Selling a non-compliant firearm privately is a felony. However, many firearms that are "non-compliant" in California are perfectly legal in other states. Since WeBuyGuns.com operates nationally, we can often facilitate the legal removal of these items from California to a state where they are compliant, ensuring you stay within the law while still receiving fair market value.

Sell Guns California

Published: June 25, 2024 | Updated: February 14, 2026

Sell Your Gun in California - Fast, Legal & Hassle-Free

We purchase firearms statewide from Los Angeles to San Diego — through a fully licensed, online process designed to make selling your firearm quick, simple, and compliant with California’s strict 2026 regulations.

Trusted by 40,000+ sellers · 860+ Google reviews · Over $4.5M paid out to users

Submit your firearm for a free cash offer

Looking to understand California's private transfer laws before selling? Read our California legal guide →

We have purchased 407 firearms from sellers across California through our streamlined, fully licensed online process.

Instead of coordinating in-person dealer meetups, navigating the mandatory 10-day waiting period, or managing DOJ-required PPT paperwork, we provide a documented offer based on current market demand. We handle the California-compliant shipping, legal transfer of liability, and state-level reporting end-to-end, ensuring a clean break from your firearm without the typical retail hassle.

We provide Free offers Fast Payment Fully licensed process Free insured shipping Bill of sale U.S.-based customer support

Recent examples of firearms we purchased from California sellers

Rifle

Kel-Tec

SU-16CA

5.56 x 45mm • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $400

Completed Jan 2026

Rifle

Arsenal

SLR-107FR-31

7.62x39mm • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $1,400

Completed Jan 2026

Handgun

Kimber

Eclipse Custom !!

10mm • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $600

Completed Jan 2026

Handgun

Glock

40 • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $300

Completed Jan 2026

Rifle

Savage

24F

.41/.22LR • Good Condition

Purchased for $300

Completed Jan 2026

Rifle

Winchester

.30-.40 • Good Condition

Purchased for $700

Completed Jan 2026

Shotgun

MILITARY ARMAMENT CORP

F12

12GA • Excellent Condition

Purchased for $300

Completed Jan 2026

Rifle

HK91

.308 • Very Good Condition

Purchased for $2,600

Completed Jan 2026

Reviews from California Sellers

Ryan Hart

★★★★★ Nov 30, 2025

We Buy Guns was efficient and very communicative during the transaction process. 👌🏼

Bronson Kennedy

★★★★★ Sep 25, 2025

Extremely efficient and transparent!

Vance Hudson's

★★★★★ Sep 24, 2025

Very straight forward service. Fair prices on traded in pieces from my fathers collection after he passed. Very prompt responses and very quick payment after payment amounts and method of payment decided.

Get a free, no-obligation offer on your firearm

Major California metros we serve

If you can ship a package from California, you can sell directly to us.

We specialize in assessing and buying high-value collections and estates from California residents, including WWII Collectibles, Machine Guns and Pre-Ban Firearms.

Compare your options

Ways to sell a gun in California

Most sellers in California compare local shops, pawn shops, auctions and private sales. The tradeoffs usually come down to price, time and legal responsibility. Below is a quick breakdown, plus a side-by-side comparison.

Local gun shops

Convenient if you want to drop it off in person, but offers can vary widely and many shops price for resale margin.

• Fast in-person option
• Offers depend on current inventory
• You may need to visit many shops

Pawn shops

Usually the quickest route, but commonly the lowest payout since the goal is short-term resale or loans, not market matching.

• Very fast
• Lowest typical offers
• Limited firearm expertise

Auctions / consignment

Can work for collectible firearms, but sales timelines are unpredictable and final payouts depend on demand, fees and whether the item sells.

• Weeks to months to complete sale
• Commissions reduce final payout
• No guaranteed sale price

Private sale

Private sales can avoid dealer fees, but require listings, meetups and handling compliance yourself.

• Must meet buyers in person
• Highest legal compliance risk
• Time spent listing and negotiating

WeBuyGuns.com

Licensed online buyer

Sell from home with a federally licensed buyer. All transactions are handled through a licensed firearms dealer, with shipping and transfer completed in compliance with applicable laws.

• No listings or stranger meetups
• Free shipping & clear instructions
• Licensed, compliant process
• Fast payment

How We Buy Guns compares to other ways to sell

Option	Typical offer	Time to payment	Convenience	Legal risk
Local gun shop In-person sale	Often lower (local resale only)	Same day (varies)	In-person & expect negotiation	Low
Pawn shop Fast cash	Low	Same day	In-person visit required	Low
Auctions / consignment Higher upside, more wait	Variable (fees apply)	Weeks to months	Drop-off, paperwork, waiting	Moderate
Private sale / classifieds You handle everything	Variable	Unpredictable	Meetups, negotiation, messaging	High
WeBuyGuns.com Licensed online buyer	Often much higher We make offers based on the national market	Issued same day when we receive the firearm	No travelNo hassle, no haggling	Very low We handle compliance

Our process for firearm sellers in California

Our process is designed to help California sellers complete a legally compliant, documented sale with clear steps fast offer turnaround and fast payment.

Tell us what you have: Use our offer submission form. Share the make, model and condition, along with photos of the firearm, optics, accessories and any markings that affect value.
Get a fast and free offer: We review the details and provide a written offer based on the firearm, configuration and current demand, usually within 24 hours.
Ship with clear instructions: If you accept our offer, we provide a prepaid shipping label and clear, step-by-step instructions so your firearm is packaged and shipped correctly.
Get paid quickly: Once received and inspected, we issue payment using the method selected during checkout and finalize the documented transfer.

Compliance note: All firearms are transferred and processed through our Federal Firearms License (FFL). If your item has special considerations (NFA items, inherited firearms, unusual configurations), we’ll walk you through what applies and what to expect before you ship anything.

Have questions about the process, how to get started, or your specific firearms?

Call us at (317) 804-8713

Our track record

We are trusted by firearm sellers nationwide

Sell with confidence — no hassle and no hidden fees. Our streamlined process has facilitated thousands of firearms transactions nationwide, paying out over $4.5 million to users on our platform.

Sellers on the platform: 40,000+
Paid out to sellers: $4.5 Million

We purchase firearms and ensure compliance in every state, including California: Fast nationwide service
All transactions are handled by firearms professionals to ensure legal compliance: Licensed FFL with a class 3 SOT

What our most recent customers have to say

Sammie Holt

★★★★★ Feb 14, 2026

The process was simple and easy the help that I received from Chris was amazing so if I ever want to sell another weapon it will definitely be to you guys

Lhaleymusic

★★★★★ Feb 14, 2026

Super fast communication

Super fast payment

Always fair with no shenanigans

James Earley

★★★★★ Feb 14, 2026

Process moved very well. Will participate again

Done three, likely will again.. Did again, made it four. Still good.

As usual well done, although I believe the offer cou;d have been a little bit higher....

Fourth sale, would do again. Smooth operation, excellent follow-up from Chris...

Excellent program, well run....

Start your free offer Read more customer reviews

Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, reach out to customer support or View all FAQs

Is selling my firearm to WeBuyGuns.com legal in California?: Yes. We are a federally licensed firearms dealer located in the state of Indiana. You, the seller, are covered under our license just as you would be if you walked into our store. There are no laws preventing you from selling your firearm to us.
Can I sell a firearm I do not have the original box or paperwork?: Yes. In most cases we only need clear photos and accurate details so we can make a documented offer. If anything else is needed, we will tell you during the review.
How long are offers good for?: Offers are valid for 14 days.
Does WeBuyGuns.com purchase multiple firearms, collections or estates?: Absolutely! Once firearm information has been submitted, you will have the ability to submit additional firearms for review and offers. These firearms will be viewable from your user panel, which you access from your initial offer email. If you have a large number of firearms or an estate, it is best to contact us directly (to save you time).
How do I get paid?: We will either send you a check, or we will issue the funds via a secure ACH direct deposit. During the offer approval process, you will tell us which method of payment you prefer.
What if I inherited firearms and don’t know much about them?: Inherited firearms are common. You can start by sending photos or a simple list of items and we’ll help identify what you have, explain what affects value and guide you through the next steps before anything is shipped.
I inherited a firearm in California. Do I have to register it before I can sell it?: Not necessarily. While California law (Penal Code § 27875) generally requires heirs to report a transfer within 60 days, you can bypass this registration process by selling the firearm directly to a licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) like WeBuyGuns.com. By selling to us, we document the intake through the state’s DROS system, effectively "closing the book" on that firearm’s history without you needing to file additional state paperwork or pay registration fees.
Can I sell a handgun that isn't on the California "Handgun Roster"?: Yes, but the process is tricky. "Off-Roster" handguns (like newer Gen 5 Glocks or Sig Sauers) cannot be sold by a dealer to a regular citizen, but they can be sold via Private Party Transfer (PPT) or to a licensed dealer. If you try to sell this privately, you have to find a buyer yourself and meet at a gun store twice. WeBuyGuns.com is licensed to purchase Off-Roster firearms directly from California residents, offering you a legal, documented way to sell premium or "unsafe" (by CA definition) handguns without the hassle of a parking lot meetup.
Can I sell a firearm that has "Assault Weapon" features (like a pistol grip or folding stock)?: California’s definition of "Assault Weapons" is one of the strictest in the nation (Penal Code § 30510). Selling a non-compliant firearm privately is a felony. However, many firearms that are "non-compliant" in California are perfectly legal in other states. Since WeBuyGuns.com operates nationally, we can often facilitate the legal removal of these items from California to a state where they are compliant, ensuring you stay within the law while still receiving fair market value.

Start your free offer

Licensed process • Shipping guidance • Fast payment