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EastBay Firearms handles private party transfers every Thursday at our Livermore, CA location. A private party transfer, or PPT, is the process California law requires for any firearm transfer between two private individuals. With very limited exceptions, every person-to-person firearm transfer between California residents must go through a licensed FFL dealer.

If you're buying or selling a firearm to another California resident, we can process the transfer for you. Both parties need to come in together on a Thursday during our normal business hours. No appointment needed, walk-ins are fine.

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The PPT Process

Both the buyer and the seller need to be present at the store at the same time to start the paperwork. The seller brings the firearm, both parties present valid California ID, and the buyer presents their Firearms Safety Certificate (FSC). If the buyer doesn't have an FSC yet, we offer the test in-store and it takes about 20 minutes to complete, so plan for a little extra time on your visit if that applies.

We process the DROS background check for the buyer, collect the applicable fees, and the firearm is held at the store for California's mandatory 10-day waiting period. Once the waiting period has elapsed and the background check clears, the buyer returns to the store to pick up the firearm. The seller does not need to be present for the pickup, only for the initial paperwork.

Our PPT fee is $67.19. Payment is due at the time paperwork is started. If either party has questions about the process before coming in, give us a call and we'll walk you through it so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

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Both parties should come prepared with the following:

The firearm itself, unloaded and in a case if possible. A valid, unexpired California driver's license or ID card for each party. If either ID has "Federal Limits Apply" printed in the top right corner instead of the gold bear and star, that person will also need to bring a valid U.S. passport or a certified copy of their U.S. birth certificate. The buyer also needs a current Firearms Safety Certificate (FSC), and for any handgun transfer, a second proof of California residency with an address matching the one on the buyer's ID. For the full list of accepted second-proof documents, visit our How to Buy page. If the buyer doesn't have an FSC, we offer the test in-store and it takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Firearms that are banned by name or configuration under California's assault weapon laws cannot be transferred through a PPT, and the 10-day waiting period applies regardless of whether the buyer already owns other firearms. If you're uncertain about whether a specific firearm qualifies for a PPT, give us a call before you come in and we'll help you figure it out.

California also allows certain exemptions to the standard PPT process, including specific intra-family transfers, inherited firearms, and situations involving out-of-state family members. If you think one of these might apply to you, give us a call and we'll help you figure out the right path.

PPTs only happen on Thursdays, so plan accordingly and make sure both parties can be at the store at the same time during our 10AM to 5PM window. Stop by at 4173 1st Street in Livermore, give us a call at (925) 395-2075, or send an email to eastbayguns@gmail.com with any questions. We're happy to walk you through the process before you come in.