California rules on shipping antique firearms

OK, I spotted an antique rifle on gunbroker that I might be interested in for parts. Seller states in two locations on the listing that shipping to an FFL is required. Is this a California rule? I asked him the question to clarify three days ago and have not gotten a reply. Not interested if I have to pay an FFL for pickup as it isn't worth it. I don't want to harass the seller if it is something outside his control but it seems rude to not answer either. It's a Chassepot so no question on Federal rules.

Is seller from NJ? As far as I know NJ and Hawaii are the only states that require an FFL for an Antique. He may think other states have the same backwards rules or that NJ law prevents him from shipping an Antique (it does not).

California to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has no such law.

The seller must have been told that an individual can only ship a firearm to a FFl in interstate commerce. A New Jersey resident can't even do that. All shipments and receipt of a firearm must be by a state licensed dealer. Only the NJ resident is in violation of the law, the out of NJ shipper, unless an FFL, is not.

It's not a firearm which is the issue, it's an antique and on top of that, it's black powder, obsolete, doesn't take a metalic cartridge etc.

In New Jersey the definition of 'firearm' covers, antiques, air guns ( not Air-Soft ), and all sorts of things. Pre-1898 has no bearing in definition. An 'antique' is a non cartridge long gun regardless of date of manufacture. All handguns are firearms, cartridge or not. All antique long guns are considered 'shotguns', therefore a Colt - Root revolving carbine is an assault weapon as all revolving shotguns are banned in NJ. Best bet is not to ever bring any firearm into NJ.. you might be breaking some obscure law here...

I retired and moved from Calif three years ago.

No regs I am aware of against shipping black powder, cap and ball guns to or from CA. Cabela's will ship them to Calif.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoot..._SEQ_567338580

When I live in California I had received a few by both USPS and UPS. I sold a few and shipped them with USPS. I told them the contents were an "antique" which is true as it was a copy of an antique.

Maybe the seller is not aware of that.