The California DROS-Dealer’s Record of Sale Entry System is the background check system that FFLs use to register purchases or transfers to residents of California.
California acts as the Point of Contact (POC) for All Firearms Transactions. California is a “POC state” along with Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. The Dealer’s Record of Sale system allows for the ATF to keep more efficient background check records. Regulations surrounding this system state:
- “NICS states” are states in which the FBI Conducts NICS Checks for All Firearms Transactions
- “POC states” act as the Point of Contact (POC) for All Firearms Transactions
- “Partial POC” states Act as a Partial Point of Contact (POC) for NICS Checks
Accurate data entry is a crucial part of making sure firearms don’t end up in the hands of criminals. Additionally, paying employees to hand-type information into the Dealer’s Record of Sale system is time-consuming and costly.
ATF field divisions, ATF inspectors, and ATF agents have a lot of discretion at their disposal. A Federal Firearms Licensee who takes the care to implement controls to mitigate risks before even a single inspection has taken place is heavily considered. Absent extraordinary circumstances, this precaution can sometimes make all the difference when ATF inspectors, and ATF agents exercise that discretion to recommend a corrective actions or cite for a willful violation, or criminal activity with serious punishment.
