Just got back from California and I was...surprised...

[timcar86]

So I had the misfortune to visit the people's republic of California for a few days and while I was there I though I would check out a California style gun store. I was staying in the heart of Orange County and thought that I wouldn't be able to find much. I did a quick Google map search for "firearms" and it pulled up a couple of shops within the hotel's shuttle range. I picked the one with the best reviews and headed off, not expecting much. I ended up at a place called rifle gear which, in addition to a nice online store, have a very nice brick and mortar store. When I walked in the place was packed! It was literally 4 deep at the counter and there were 5 employees working frantically. You literally had to take a number to be seen! Every single item was behind the counter so you had to see an employee to get your hands on something. I was there for about 30 minutes and saw more guns sold then at any time in a store here in TN. I realize that the CA guns laws are designed to discourage guns from being bought and sold but the short time I was there I discovered that they weren't working. AR's and AK's were flying off the walls there. One would be sold, the guy would pack it up for the waiting period and go to the back grab a gun to take it's place on the wall. All the staff were super friendly and fairly well educated on firearms. Every gun salesmen in TN that I've encountered couldn't hold a candle to how well these guys (and one gal) performed. Another thing that surprised me was that the entire staff was Asian. I know OC has a pretty large Asian population but being from East Tennessee it was somewhat of a shock to walk into a gun store and see an all Asian staff. Most of the customers were Asian as well. All-in-all it was a very positive experience and one I hope would be replicated close to home. If the Sh**t ever does hit the fan don't be surprised if the gun owners of CA hold their own.

Edited July 30, 2012 by timcar86

[Guest bkelm18]

Neutered ARs and AKs were flying off the shelves.

[timcar86]

Neutered ARs and AKs were flying off the shelves.

I did hear a lot of "hints" about how to modify the weapons to bring them up to the rest of our standards...

[TrickyNicky]

Neutered ARs and AKs were flying off the shelves.

They do the best they can, it's not the gun owners if Ca making up the laws out there.

Having been born and raised in Southern California it's no shock to me at all, there is a huge shooting population out there and I know several people who's collections of pre-ban ARs Aks and FALs would have alot of guys out here drooling.

As to the post ban neutered ones, if the SHTF you could bring them back to regular functionality in a manner of minutes and using the bullet button on the range is not that big a deal. The regular capacity mag ban sucks, but CADOJ is fine with you bringing in disassembled high caps in from out of state IIRC.

Heck I even agree to a certain extent with the California Handgun Safety Card. If you can't get an acceptable score to pass you probably need to reconsider purchasing any gun IMO. I was able to get 100% in mine and the same day saw a guy fail badly. Honestly that guy being armed was not a bright idea.

There are several things the gun owners need to work on yet to be on par with say Tn, but they are making progress and that progress wouldn't be made if there was no interest.

Best gun store I've ever been to was in Culver City, whatever they had it seemed like they had six of them new plus a few used. So anyway, not shocked at all.

[hornett22]

Sounds like Hoffman's just south of Hartford CT. Always packed and seems understaffed. Prices are fantastic though.

[Jonnin]

Their crazy "you cannot have that" laws are not the problem. I could probably work around those, as aggravating as they are, if I were forced to live in a place like that.

Talk to me about carrying a concealed pistol in CA. That is what would keep me out of the state --- their carry permit and CCW laws. Not their stupid glue an oar to the AR stock and limited mags.

[TrickyNicky]

Actually Jonnin there are alot of places in Ca where you can live and get a CCW. Usually the unincorperated areas are ok to deal with as well as Orange County.

Sheriff Youngblood of Kern county was at one time pretty adamant that if you could legally own a gun you should be able to carry one.

Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francsisco, and Ventura county are pretty much out but there are places that will allow it.

Shame they refuse to honor out of state permits though.

The one thing that really did get my goat was the ten day cool off period. Ok fine, you want to make sure I'm not buying a gun in the heat of the moment to settle some kind of dispute or quarrel fine. But it never stops no matter how many guns you own. I remember at one time having to wait on a single action pistol when I had no less than three other handguns at home. If I wanted to do something aggressive with a gun why spend $500 when a box of ammo cost $12?

I don't know, all I know is I'm much happier here in that regard, but Ca is not without it's charms/perks.

Edited July 30, 2012 by TrickyNicky

[Guest kingarmory]

Lived in CA for several years, couldn't pay me to move back there again. It is a despicable pit of liberal failure. Was just there for a couple days this past week and couldn't wait to get out. I love the beach and I love the weather, but I would still gladly push a button to make that state fall in the ocean if such button existed.