Historical and Collector Firearms Law

At The Davis Law Firm, led by firearms attorney Jason Davis, we provide specialized legal services tailored to the unique needs of collectors, museums, and enthusiasts dealing with historical, antique, and curio or relic firearms in California, ensuring compliance with complex state and federal regulations, including navigating exemption statuses, while protecting their rights and investments. Our dedicated team offers comprehensive, client-focused representation to navigate the intricate legal landscape surrounding collector firearms, safeguarding their historical, financial, and legal value. Below is an exhaustive list of historical and collector firearm law matters we can assist with, including prefile mitigation, showcasing our deep expertise, creative solutions, and unwavering commitment to achieving optimal outcomes:

• Antique Firearms Exemption Compliance: We ensure compliance with exemptions for antique firearms (pre-1899 manufacture) under Penal Code § 16170 and federal law (18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(16)), verifying status to avoid unlawful possession or transfer penalties.
• Curio and Relic (C&R) Firearms Regulations: We guide Type 03 FFL holders on acquiring, possessing, and transferring C&R firearms, ensuring compliance with ATF regulations (27 CFR § 478.25) and California restrictions, including exemption from certain state roster requirements.
• Exemption Status Assessments: We evaluate firearms to confirm their exemption from federal and state laws, such as California’s Handgun Roster (Penal Code § 32100) or federal NFA requirements, preventing misclassification and regulatory violations.
• Interstate Purchase and Transport: We advise on lawfully acquiring historical firearms from out-of-state, ensuring compliance with ATF interstate transport rules (27 CFR § 478.29) and California import laws (Penal Code § 27560), leveraging exemptions for antiques or C&R firearms.
• California Roster Exemption Navigation: We assist collectors in utilizing exemptions from California’s Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale for antique or C&R firearms, ensuring lawful possession or sales under Penal Code § 32100(b).
• Firearms Restoration and Modification Compliance: We counsel on restoring or modifying historical firearms, ensuring modifications preserve exempt status (e.g., antique or C&R) and comply with state and federal laws to avoid prohibited configurations.
• Museum and Exhibition Compliance: We advise museums and exhibitors on displaying historical firearms, ensuring compliance with Penal Code § 16590, ATF regulations, and local ordinances, including exemptions for non-functional display pieces.
• Probate and Inheritance Disputes: We litigate disputes over ownership or distribution of historical firearms in estates, protecting collectors’ legacies and resolving conflicts while preserving exempt status.
• Firearms Appraisal and Valuation Support: We assist in obtaining accurate appraisals for historical firearms, ensuring proper valuation for insurance, sales, or estate purposes while confirming exempt status for tax or transfer purposes.
• Importation of Historical Firearms: We guide collectors and museums on importing antique or C&R firearms, ensuring compliance with ATF/ITAR regulations and California import laws (Penal Code § 27560), utilizing exemptions for non-NFA items.
• Exportation of Collector Firearms: We advise on exporting historical firearms for international sales or exhibitions, complying with ATF export controls (27 CFR § 447) and foreign laws, leveraging exemptions for antiques.
• Criminal Defense for Collector Violations: We defend collectors against charges related to improper possession, transfer, or modification of historical firearms, such as violations under Penal Code § 29800 or 18 U.S.C. § 922, emphasizing exempt status defenses.
• Civil Litigation for Ownership Disputes: We litigate disputes over ownership, authenticity, or provenance of historical firearms, protecting collectors’ investments while ensuring exempt status is upheld in court.
• Contract Disputes for Firearms Transactions: We handle breaches of contract in the sale, purchase, or consignment of historical firearms, ensuring fair resolutions and confirming exempt status for transfers.
• Authentication and Provenance Disputes: We resolve disputes over the authenticity or historical significance of firearms, coordinating with experts to protect investments and confirm exempt status.
• Firearms Storage and Security Compliance: We advise on safe storage of historical firearms to prevent theft or violations, ensuring compliance with Penal Code § 25100 and leveraging exemptions for non-functional antiques.
• Historical Firearms in Film or Theater: We counsel entertainment productions on using antique or C&R firearms as props, ensuring compliance with Penal Code § 16590, ATF regulations, and exemption-based allowances.
• Out-of-State Collector Issues: We advise California collectors on acquiring or displaying firearms in other states, ensuring compliance with interstate transport and local laws while maximizing exemption benefits.
• Community and Public Relations: We develop strategies to address community concerns about historical firearms collections or exhibitions, maintaining goodwill and avoiding regulatory scrutiny over exempt items.
• Training and Education for Collectors: We provide workshops on legal requirements for collecting historical firearms, including exemption qualifications, empowering clients to navigate regulations confidently.
• Historical Firearms Loan Agreements: We draft agreements for loaning firearms to museums or exhibitions, ensuring legal protections for ownership, condition, and exempt status.

With The Davis Law Firm, you gain a trusted partner dedicated to protecting the legal, historical, and financial interests of collectors, museums, and enthusiasts of antique and curio or relic firearms. Our unparalleled expertise in California and federal firearms laws, including exemption statuses, combined with proactive compliance strategies, creative problem-solving, and aggressive advocacy, ensures you receive top-tier representation for any collector-related challenge. Contact us today at calgunlawyers.com to safeguard your collection and preserve its legacy with confidence.