Questions about buying a handgun in California?

So to answer your specific questions:

1. Yes, the handgun will be registered. Every gun sale, whether by dealer or private party, must be completed by a licensed dealer. The guns info and yours will be recorded and sent to the state for background check / registration.

2. No guns sold in California today have the micro-stamping technology. No manufacturers are doing it. As a result, the only new handguns being sold in California today are those that were approved by the CA DOJ before that requirement was enacted. So you can forget about any gun recently introduced. It's not sold here in CA.

3. Yes, you will have to pass a test demonstrating you understand how to operate the gun safely. The dealer will administer this test.

4. Yes, you still must wait 10 very long days to pick up your handgun. The 9th Circuit court of appeals struck down the 10 day waiting period for anyone who already owns a gun, but stayed their decision pending further court review. So even though a ruling exists declaring it unconstitutional, it still is the law here in CA...for now.

Generally, all firearms purchases and transfers, including private party transactions and sales at gun shows, must be made through a California licensed dealer under the Dealer’s Record of Sale (DROS) process.

California law imposes a 10-day waiting period before a firearm can be released to a purchaser or transferee.

A person must be at least 18 years of age to purchase a rifle or shotgun. To purchase a handgun, a person must be at least 21 years of age. As part of the DROS process, the purchaser must present "clear evidence of identity and age" which is defined as a valid, non-expired California Driver's License or Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A military identification accompanied by permanent duty station orders indicating a posting in California is also acceptable.

Purchasers of handguns must provide proof of California residency, such as a utility bill, residential lease, property deed, or government-issued identification (other than a drivers license or other DMV-issued identification),

and either (1) possess a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) plus successfully complete a safety demonstration with their recently purchased handgun or (2) qualify for an HSC exemption.

To answer some parts of your question not addressed in tonalc2's otherwise correct answer:

There is no gun registration in California.

Although there is a law requiring micro-stamping of new firearms, it is on hold pending judicial review and would not apply to guns presently on dealers' shelves at any rate.

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes a safety test

4. yes

The laws might be different for the city you live in. I'm sure you can google them though. I certainly hope the gun has to be registered!