California CCW permit

[vector16]

IMO, if an individual is able to legally purchase a handgun they should legally have a right to carry that handgun. Now that's out of the way.

I would like to know from those Non-LEO's, if anyone has been able to get a CCW permit in CA over the past few years. I have been thinking about taking the class to get the ccw permit but if I live in a state that does not issue them to non-LEO's or is extreemly hard to get, especailly in So. CAL than I should save my money.
I have not looked up the next question but since I am here, Does CA honor any other states ccw permits? Take for example UT's is good in 23 other states but not CA or NV. If getting a ccw in another state would be easier and CA would honor it, I might go that route.

 

[r.d.mcdaniel]

I've read (on the internet ) that some counties (Sacramento and El Dorado for starters) have pro ccw sheriffs. A person that doesn't have any criminal arrests can get a permit by stating that they need to carry for self defense. I live in Contra Costa County and that is not the case here.

 

[vector16]

I am really upset that our govener Jerry Brown banned our "open carry" law. I was surprised there were no petitions to sign at any of our local GS or anywhere else for that matter. I would always carry, taking the dog for a walk at night, walking wilderness areas (not nat'l forests) I have a hunting license so I can carry a loaded gun on any federal land or BLM land. That would be great if our next gov. over turned that law or even made CA a "shall issue" state.

 

[Rastoff]

Obtaining a CCW in CA will depend on the whim of the issuing agency. I am a current CCW holder and live in Kern county. Kern issues more CCWs than any other county in CA.

There is a standardized package. You can get it at any Sheriff's substation or City Police Headquarters. If you get it from the city, it will be the police chief that issues it. If you get it from the county, it will be the Sheriff that issues it. So, do some research and find out what the local feelings are where you live. You must live/reside in the municipality that issues the license.

Most will tell you straight up that they will or will not issue it.

On the form you must put a reason. Just saying, "For personal protection" is not enough. They will probably ask for a situation that you have been in where a gun would have made it better.

You may also look here for good info: Calguns.net

Fill out the form before taking the class. If you are accepted, they will inform you. You then have 90 days to get the class and complete the process.

 

[BearBio]

Wife and I left California 10 years ago. At that time, our county (Sutter County) was issuing permits. I started the process and then I transferred to Washington. My reason was that I worked for the Federal Government with regulatory duties and I occasionally did CSI-type work for our LE. Although I could not carry on duty, I had run-ins with some belligerent individuals I had met in performance of my duties and had been threatened. The Deputy I initially spoke to felt that should be sufficient.

A good friend of ours (his wife and he go back to elementary school with my wife) works for the L.A. County D.A. He has been threatened in open court by convicts (I guess I can say that, although they weren't convicts until he convicted them). That was insufficient to get a CCW in L.A. County. Fortunately, he lived in Orange County and was able to.

My brother lives in Orange County and is an NRA instructor. He had been issued a permit (I understand it is just in case he forgets a gun in his briefcase-I suspect also because he carries several guns to his classes). A new Sheriff is elected and no renewal of his permit.

So, in other words, just the luck of the draw and the whim of the powers that be. I'm sure someone at CALGUNS can tell you how your jurisdiction is currently.

(ps: My first permit took 10 days to get to me, here in Washington. Renewal took 30).