gun registration in az

Question
We purchased our handguns & rifle several years ago.  We have since moved & in fact the store that we purchased them at no longer exists.  We still live in the same state.  What I am trying to find out is.....I no longer have my registration or bills of sale on my handguns.  Do I need something to prove that my guns are registered to me?  Do I need a proof of purchase?  Do I have to re-register every so often?  I keep my handgun & rifle at home for self-defense.  My wife carries hers in her car at all times for the same reason.  She travels quite a bit.  She also crosses the AZ state line into CA & sometimes into NV.  Is there anything special she has to do there to report that she is carrying a gun?  She does not have a CCW permit, as she carries it unloaded in her vehicle.  It is also in a holster.  Her vehicle is locked at all times.

Answer
Rick,

Arizona does not have any 'gun registration' requirement.  Some people think the form they fill out when they purchase a gun is a 'registration' when in fact it is simply a record of the transfer from the dealer to the purchaser.  BATF requires these 'transfer' documents and requires a firearms dealer to keep them on file.  When a gun store goes out of business, they are supposed to transmit the records to BATF, but in reality, it may or may not occur.

You do not need a proof of purchase or any documentation that they are 'registered' to you.  I would recommend that you record the serial numbers and model numbers and keep them somewhere safe.  This way, if you ever lost a gun or had it stolen, you could give the appropriate info to the police.

Your wife should probably get her CCW if she consistently carries a gun in her car.  In Arizona, the law states that the gun must be in plain view or if concealed, it must be at least two steps removed from immediate access by anyone in the vehicle.  An example of 'two steps removed' would be in the glove box (step 1) and in a holster (step 2).  If the gun is not in a holster or case and is in the glove box, it is only 1 step removed.  When you have a valid CCW permit, this 'two step' rule no longer applies.

When your wife drives into CA, if she has a gun in the car, she needs to meet California requirements for transporting the gun.  CA requires that the gun be unloaded and in a locked container in the trunk of the vehicle.  CA also requires that any ammo be in a separate container.  

In Nevada, the firearm can be legally carried in the vehicle unloaded, but not on your person unless you have a Nevada CCW permit.

I'd have her be a little careful traveling into CA.  They are not a gun friendly state.  She needs to take particular care to follow the rules while she is there.

By the way, just to clarify she does not have to 'report' that she is carrying a gun, but I would advise her to inform any police officer that she has a firearm if stopped for a traffic violation.  Have her tell the officer where it is and what condition it is in.  DON'T have her try and give the gun to the officer.  Let the officer decide how they want to handle it.

I think I've answered all your questions.  Best of luck to you...

Regards,

Doug