Actually intent is important. When you purchase one they ask you exactly that question. If you give it to a wife or child ( not step). You are ok. Anything else gets sketchy unless a reasonable amount of time has passed.
In California there is no need to wonder whether or not a reasonable amount of time has passed. I could own a gun for a decade, and it would still be illegal for me to sell it without involving a dealer. CA has the ‘universal background check’ the left pushes...and it did absolutely nothing to stop this.