Handgun Safety Certificate Program
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Effective January 1, 2003, the Basic Firearms Safety Certificate Program was replaced with the Handgun Safety Certificate Program. These new statutes affect the general public in two principal ways. First, unless exempt, individuals must possess a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) prior to purchasing or acquiring a handgun. Second, unless exempt, individuals must perform a safe handling demonstration prior to taking delivery of a handgun from a licensed dealer.
HSCs are acquired by taking and passing a written test on handgun safety, generally at participating firearms dealerships and private firearms training facilities. A Handgun Safety Certificate Study Guide 
[PDF 762 kb / 56 pg] to help individuals prepare for the Handgun Safety Certificate Test is available for purchase at firearms dealerships at $.50 each. There is also a Handgun Safety Certificate Video available for purchase at firearms dealerships or from DOJ Certified Instructors at $5.00 each.
The handgun safety demonstration protocols and DOJ Certified Instructor standards have been established and implemented by DOJ. An explanation of the handgun safety demonstration can be found starting on page 45 of the Handgun Safety
Certificate Study Guide. [PDF 762 kb / 56 pg]
For additional information regarding the Handgun Safety Certificate Program. Please choose from the following:
- Entities Recognized by DOJ as Providing Comparable Handgun Safety Training to Those Entities Specified by Penal Code section 12804(j)
- Handgun Safety Certificate Forms and Publications
- Frequently Asked Questions
Entities Recognized by DOJ as Providing Comparable Handgun Safety Training to Those Entities Specified by Penal Code section 12804(j)
Penal Code section 12804 (j) authorizes the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to recognize entities which provide firearms safety training comparable to the entities specified within that subdivision. Individuals possessing a Certificate of Completion from any of the entities so recognized by DOJ may apply for DOJ Certified Instructor certification.
The entities recognized by DOJ as providing firearms safety training comparable to the entities specified by Penal Code section 12804(j) are:
- The Range, Grass Valley, (530) 273-4440
- Bullet Recovery Systems, Plymouth, (530) 620-4252
- HSC Instructor Training Course, William Tidwell, Alameda or Mariposa Counties, (510) 552-4742 or (209) 878-3056
- Sierra Firearms Training, Sacramento and Marin Counties, (530) 642-1400
- The Shooting Gallery, Inc., Vacaville, (707) 449-4867
- Pro-Right, Valley Springs, (209) 786-2922
- Herb Bauer Sporting Goods, Inc., Fresno, (559) 435-8600
- The Grant Boys, Costa Mesa, (949) 645-3400
- Gunrunner, Merced, (209) 723-3006
- BullsEyeTactical Firearms Training, Castella, (530) 235-0721
- 2nd Amendment Sports, Bakersfield, (661), 323-4512
- El Cajon Gun Exchange, El Cajon, (619) 579-5152
- On Target Firearms Instruction, Modesto, (209) 575-2308
- Safe Gun Handling Course - Mike Green, Elk Grove, (916) 714-4867
- Martin B. Retting Inc., Alex Reyes, Culver City, (310) 837-2412
- Firearms Training Associates, Yorba Linda, (714) 701-9918
- Gun World, Burbank, (818) 238-9071
- Southern Shooting Supply, Tehachapi, (661) 823-1223
- Westcoast Firearms Training, Eureka, (707) 601-1030
- Powers Security Training, Bakersfield, (661) 871-7273
- Premier Tactical Training, Fresno, (559) 779-7742
- Valley Gun, Inc., Bakersfield, (661) 352-9468
- Riverside Magnum Range, Riverside, (909) 731-7031
- Baptist Security Training, Suisun City, (707) 368-2689
- Responsible Firearms Education, Mojave, (661) 824-3428