(a) The following persons, properly identified, are exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615:
(1) Any active or honorably retired peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2.
(2) Any active or honorably retired federal officer or law enforcement agent.
(3) Any reserve peace officer, as defined in Section 832.6.
(4) Any person who has successfully completed the course of training specified in Section 832.
(5) A firearms dealer licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, who is acting in the course and scope of that person’s activities as a person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive.
(6) A federally licensed collector who is acquiring or being loaned a firearm that is a curio or relic, as defined in Section 478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, who has a current certificate of eligibility issued by the department pursuant to Section 26710.
(7) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a person to whom a firearm is being returned, where the person receiving the firearm is the owner of the firearm.
(8) A family member of a peace officer or deputy sheriff from a local agency who receives a firearm pursuant to Section 50081 of the Government Code.
(9) Any individual who has a valid concealed weapons permit issued pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 26150) of Division 5.
(10) An active or honorably retired member of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or the active reserve components of the United States, where individuals in those organizations are properly identified. For purposes of this section, proper identification includes the Armed Forces Identification Card or other written documentation certifying that the individual is an active or honorably retired member.
(11) Any person who is authorized to carry loaded firearms pursuant to Section 26025 or 26030.
(12) Persons who are the holders of a special weapons permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 32650 or 33300, pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 18900) of Chapter 1 of Division 5 of Title 2, or pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 32700) of Chapter 6 of this division.
(b) The following persons who take title or possession of a firearm by operation of law in a representative capacity, until or unless they transfer title ownership of the firearm to themselves in a personal capacity, are exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615:
(1) The executor, personal representative, or administrator of an estate.
(2) A secured creditor or an agent or employee thereof when the firearms are possessed as collateral for, or as a result of, a default under a security agreement under the Commercial Code.
(3) A levying officer, as defined in Section 481.140, 511.060, or 680.260 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(4) A receiver performing the functions of a receiver.
(5) A trustee in bankruptcy performing the duties of a trustee.
(6) An assignee for the benefit of creditors performing the functions of an assignee.
(7) The trustee of a trust that includes a firearm and that was part of a will that created the trust.
(8) A person acting pursuant to the person’s power of attorney in accordance with Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4000) of the Probate Code.
(9) A limited or general conservator appointed by a court pursuant to the Probate Code or Welfare and Institutions Code.
(10) A guardian ad litem appointed by a court pursuant to Section 372 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(11) The trustee of a trust that includes a firearm that is under court supervision.
(12) A special administrator appointed by a court pursuant to Section 8540 of the Probate Code.
(13) A guardian appointed by a court pursuant to Section 1500 of the Probate Code.
(c) A person, validly identified, who has been issued a valid hunting license that is unexpired or that was issued for the hunting season immediately preceding the calendar year in which the person takes title or possession of a firearm is exempt from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615, except as to handguns.
(d) A person who takes possession of a firearm and complies with Section 27922 by delivering the firearm to a law enforcement agency is exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615. The exemption set forth in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) shall not apply to the return of that firearm to that person, if the person has requested the firearm and is eligible to receive it.
(e) The firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615 shall not apply to a person taking possession of a firearm pursuant to Section 27882 or 27883.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 840, Sec. 14.5. (SB 172) Effective January 1, 2020.)