Understanding California’s Firearm Prohibition Power of Attorney Form (BOF 110)

In California, firearm ownership and possession are strictly regulated, especially for individuals who become prohibited from owning guns due to legal reasons. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) provides a specific form to help such individuals comply with the law: the General Notice of Firearm Prohibition and Power of Attorney for Firearms Relinquishment, Sale, or Transfer for Storage, commonly referred to as Form BOF 110 (Revised 12/2019). This two-page document serves as a critical tool for prohibited persons to legally delegate the handling of their firearms to another individual while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

This article breaks down what the form is, its purpose, and a detailed step-by-step guide on how to complete it. Note that this is not legal advice—consult a licensed California attorney for personalized guidance, as federal laws may impose additional restrictions.

What Is Form BOF 110?

Form BOF 110 is an official document issued by the California DOJ’s Bureau of Firearms. It combines two key elements:

• A General Notice of Firearm Prohibition: This outlines the categories of people prohibited from owning or possessing firearms under California law (Penal Code section 29810) and explains the immediate requirement to relinquish firearms upon becoming prohibited.
• A Power of Attorney Designation: This allows the prohibited person (the firearm owner or possessor) to appoint a designee (another individual) with temporary authority to handle the relinquishment, sale, or storage of their firearms.

The form is designed to be notarized and is valid for only 30 days from the date of designation. It does not transfer ownership of the firearms but grants limited rights to the designee for disposal purposes. Page 1 focuses on the designation and signatures, while Page 2 provides legal explanations, prohibitions, and required actions.

Key features include:

• References to relevant laws, such as Penal Code sections 29800-29905 for prohibitions and sections 26500-26590 for firearm transfers.
• A notary acknowledgment section to verify identities.
• Warnings about special rules for assault weapons, .50 BMG rifles, and protective orders.
• Contact information for the DOJ Bureau of Firearms (916-210-2300) for questions.

The form emphasizes that prohibited individuals must act immediately to relinquish firearms, and it helps facilitate this process without the prohibited person handling the guns themselves.

What Is the Form Used For?

The primary purpose of Form BOF 110 is to assist individuals who are legally barred from possessing firearms in complying with California’s relinquishment requirements. Under Penal Code section 29810, prohibitions can arise from:

1. Conviction of a felony, specified misdemeanor, or firearms offense.
2. Addiction to narcotics.
3. Being subject to a protective order (e.g., restraining order).
4. Certain mental health disabilities as determined by a court or facility.

Upon becoming prohibited—such as the date of a conviction or issuance of a protective order—the individual must immediately relinquish all firearms. This form allows them to appoint a trusted designee (who must not be prohibited from possessing firearms) to handle the process on their behalf. The designee can then:

• Sell or transfer the firearms through a licensed dealer.
• Surrender them to law enforcement for safekeeping or destruction.
• In cases with a court-specified prohibition end date, store them with a licensed dealer.

Special considerations:

• Protective Orders: Firearms must be surrendered or sold within 24 hours, with proof provided to the court within 48 hours.
• Duration: Prohibitions vary; some are permanent, others temporary. Federal laws (e.g., under the Gun Control Act) may extend beyond state rules.
• Limitations: The designee cannot keep the firearms beyond 30 days and must follow all transfer laws. The form does not apply to illegal weapons like assault rifles without additional DOJ guidance.

Using this form helps avoid criminal penalties for unlawful possession while ensuring a smooth, documented process. It’s particularly useful in urgent situations where the prohibited person cannot personally handle the firearms.

The Role of the Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) in Firearm Relinquishment

The Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) is a cornerstone of California’s efforts to enforce firearm prohibitions and ensure public safety by disarming individuals who are no longer legally allowed to possess guns. Established in 2006 following legislation passed in 2001 (Senate Bill 950), APPS is the nation’s first and only statewide program of its kind, managed by the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms (BOF). Its primary purpose is to identify individuals who legally acquired firearms but subsequently became prohibited from owning or possessing them—due to events like felony convictions, violent misdemeanors, restraining orders, or severe mental health determinations—and ensure they relinquish those weapons.

APPS operates through a sophisticated database that cross-references firearm ownership records from the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) and Automated Firearms System (AFS) with prohibiting events tracked in systems like the Automated Criminal History System (ACHS), Wanted Persons System (WPS), California Restraining and Protective Order System (CARPOS), and Mental Health Reporting System (MHRS). This daily cross-checking flags “armed and prohibited persons,” after which crime analysts compile investigative packages for BOF special agents. Agents then conduct enforcement actions, such as consent searches, probation/parole searches, or obtaining search warrants, often in collaboration with local law enforcement task forces like the Contra Costa Anti-Violence Support Effort (CASE) or Tulare County Agencies Regional Gun Violence Enforcement Team (TARGET).

The program directly ties into firearm relinquishment processes, including tools like Form BOF 110. When a person is prohibited, they must immediately relinquish firearms, and the form provides a mechanism to delegate this task to a non-prohibited designee for sale, transfer, storage, or surrender; once the transfer through a dealer or storage by a dealer has been completed, the DOJ is notified and no APPS check should be allowed based upon those firearms transferred or stored. APPS enforcement ensures compliance, with agents verifying that prohibited individuals are disassociated from all known firearms before removal from the database.

Recent data from the 2024 APPS Annual Report, released in March 2025, highlights the program’s scale and impact. In 2024:

• 12,019 individuals were added to the APPS database, the highest since 2009, due to expanded prohibitions and improved auditing.
• 9,559 were removed, including 5,178 due to expired prohibitions, 4,058 after enforcement-verified disassociation from firearms (a record high, up 18% from 2023), and 323 due to death.
• This resulted in a net increase of 2,460, leaving 25,911 armed and prohibited persons in the database as of January 1, 2025 (plus 1,260 incarcerated), categorized into 10,044 active cases and 15,867 pending cases.
• Enforcement efforts closed 8,501 investigations, involved 25,500 contacts (a record matching 2023), and recovered 1,520 firearms (including 881 APPS-related, 639 non-APPS, 39 ghost guns, and various assault weapons and machine guns), along with over 1.3 million rounds of ammunition and thousands of magazines.
• Additionally, 191 ammunition purchase denial cases were investigated, leading to further seizures.

Overall, APPS underscores the importance of tools like Form BOF 110 by providing the enforcement backbone for California’s relinquishment laws. It not only identifies prohibited persons but also facilitates their compliance via proactive disarmament. For those flagged by APPS, using the form can be a key step in maintaining control of the firearms transfer process via voluntary relinquishment, potentially avoiding enforcement actions.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Complete Form BOF 110

Completing the form is straightforward but requires accuracy, as false statements are punishable under penalty of perjury. Both the firearm owner/possessor and the designee must sign, and the form must be notarized. Here’s a step-by-step process:

Step 1: Gather Necessary Information and Prepare

• Confirm your prohibition status: Review the “Firearms Prohibiting Categories” document or consult an attorney to ensure you qualify as prohibited.
• Choose a designee: Select someone who is not prohibited from possessing firearms (they must declare this under penalty of perjury). Verify their eligibility using the prohibitions list on Page 2.
• Obtain the form: Download it from below, or the California DOJ website or request it from the Bureau of Firearms.
• Prepare identification: Both parties will need valid ID for notarization.
• Note the timeline: The Power of Attorney is only valid for 30 days from the signature date.

Step 2: Fill Out the Designation Section (Page 1)

• Firearm Owner/Possessor’s Information: Enter your full printed name in the first blank: “I, [Printed Name of Firearm Owner/Possessor], hereby designate…”
• Designee’s Information: Enter the designee’s full printed name in the next blank: “…[Printed Name of Power of Attorney Designee] to have Power of Attorney…”
• Owner/Possessor’s Declaration: Read the declaration carefully. It states that the designee is not prohibited from possessing firearms (to the best of your knowledge) under specified Penal Code and Welfare and Institutions Code sections.
• Sign and Date: The owner/possessor signs and dates the form under penalty of perjury.

Step 3: Complete the Designee’s Acceptance (Page 1)

• Designee’s Information: Re-enter the designee’s full printed name in the blank: “I, [Printed Name of Power of Attorney Designee], hereby agree to accept appointment…”
• Owner/Possessor’s Name: Enter the owner/possessor’s name again in the next blank.
• Designee’s Declaration: The designee must review the prohibitions list and declare they are not prohibited from possessing firearms.
• Sign and Date: The designee signs and dates under penalty of perjury, agreeing to handle the firearms via one of the options on Page 2 (relinquishment, sale, or storage).

Step 4: Notarize the Form (Page 1)

• Visit a notary public (not a party to the transaction).
• Both signers must appear in person with satisfactory evidence of identity (e.g., driver’s license).
• The notary will complete the “California All-Purpose Acknowledgement” section:
  • Fill in the county, date, notary’s name, and signers’ names.
  • The notary signs, seals, and certifies under penalty of perjury.
• This verifies identities but not the document’s content.

Step 5: Review Page 2 and Take Action

• Although Page 2 doesn’t require filling out, read it thoroughly for guidance on next steps.
• If subject to a protective order:
  • Surrender or sell firearms within 24 hours (immediately if requested by law enforcement).
  • Provide proof to the court within 48 hours.
• For other cases:
  • The designee must act within 30 days: Sell/transfer via a licensed dealer, surrender to law enforcement for safekeeping, or destroy via law enforcement.
• Special firearms (e.g., assault weapons): Contact DOJ for additional rules.
• Retain copies: Keep the notarized form for records; provide copies as needed (e.g., to dealers or courts).

Step 6: Follow Through and Comply

• The designee handles the firearms immediately after designation.
• Ensure all transfers comply with Penal Code sections 26500-26590 (e.g., through licensed dealers).
• If storing firearms (for temporary prohibitions), show the court order to the dealer.
• Monitor the 30-day limit: The Power of Attorney expires automatically.

Final Considerations

Form BOF 110 is a vital compliance tool, but misuse can lead to severe penalties, including felony charges for unlawful possession. Always prioritize safety and legality—never attempt to circumvent prohibitions. For questions, contact The Davis Law Firm at 866-545-GUNS. Remember, this form addresses state law; federal prohibitions (e.g., via ATF) may differ, so seek comprehensive legal counsel. By following these steps, prohibited individuals can responsibly manage their firearms and avoid further legal issues.