Overview
The Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) is California's reporting, background check, and firearm registration platform used by all California firearms dealers.
All firearms purchases and transfers must go through the DROS process unless exempt. As a part of the DROS process, unless exempt, California law imposes a 10-day waiting period after purchasing any firearm before a firearm can be released to a purchaser.
DROS vs. NICS
While firearms dealers in most US states have direct access to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), California firearms dealers are required to use CA DROS.
California is a “point of contact” state, meaning all firearm background checks get processed through the state point of contact, in this case, CA DOJ. The DROS process is what is used for submitting all firearm background checks to CA DOJ. As part of the DROS, the CA DOJ references applicable federal databases in addition to its own state databases when conducting a background check on a potential purchaser.
The complexity and dependency of multiple government entities lead to the required 10-day wait period enforced with all, unless exempt, firearms purchases and transfers.
How much is CA DROS?
Currently DROS costs $31.19, but there is also a $1 Firearm Safety Fee and a $5 Firearm Safety Enforcement Fee tacked on. Bringing the total fees for CADOJ up to $37.19.
How long does CA DROS take?
CA DROS requires a minimum 10-day wait and up to 30 days. CA DOJ must give the firearms dealer who submitted the DROS a status update within 30 days of submission. In the rare case where no update is given, it is up to the dealer to decide whether to release or not release the firearm to the purchaser.
Dumpling Defense will process the transaction on a case-by-case basis in this rare case.
Who is exempt from the waiting period?
As with any exemption, Dumpling Defense must maintain the documentation with the DROS paperwork.
The most common exemptions to the 10-day waiting period include:
California law enforcement officers who have a letter signed by the head of the agency stating they are full-time paid peace officers authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of their duties and authorizing the purchase. The dealer must retain the original letter and attach it to the DROS record.
Persons who have special weapons permits issued by DOJ. The dealer must retain a copy of the permit and attach it to the DROS record.
Persons who have a Curio & Relic Collector's license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) and who have a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) only when purchasing curio and relic firearms. The dealer must retain a copy of the Federal Firearms License, Collector's license and the COE.
Dealers transferring firearms (hand gun and/or long gun) to their personal inventory are required to complete the DROS process. The BATFE's acquisition/disposition log requirements still apply.