California CCW what modifications permitted?

[DavidWin]

I have a Shield 40, I want to install an Apex Trigger and AEK. Will that be a problem for getting approval in the concealed carry application process? What about a laser sight?

 

[triemferent]

In California, concealed carry permits are issued by the county you live in and each county has their own policies. It would help if you tell us which county you are in. I can tell you in Orange county, they do not allow any modification to the inside of the pistol. You can only make changes to external parts such as grips and sights. You might want to visit the Calguns forums where they have lots of info on local laws/rules/policies.

 

[Saudade]

Yep, what he said. Check with your local Issuing Authority.

 

[InsideWaist]

I have a Shield 40, I want to install an Apex Trigger and AEK. Will that be a problem for getting approval in the concealed carry application process? What about a laser sight?

In Orange Co, there are regulations in place for modifying your carry weapon(s). Not abiding by these rules "...shall result in the immediate suspension of the CCW license."

In the above link, look at Paragraph 8, Sections M and N:

8). Restrictions by Act: Any of the following or similar acts while in possession of a firearm shall be considered a violation of the licensee’s general responsibilities as specified below:
. . .
m. possessing a weapon altered from its originally approved design, or weapon not listed on the
license,
n. possessing any equipment or attachments to a firearm not specifically approved as a part of the license, and ...​

That being said, I did contact the OCSD CCW folks and asked about laser sights. They said it was okay. They did emphasize that the gun owner must realize all the nuances of laser sighting (laser and barrel point at different places at certain distances, etc.).

Finally, they did say (am I'm quoting here)...
"Short answer. If you can legally purchase it in CA, you can legally use it for our CCW purposes. Lasers (red or green) and weapon mounted lights are ok as long as they do not alter the weapon from the original manufactures specifications and they are installed according to the laser or light manufactures specifications. Our policy refers to the CPC sections addressing "safe (or unsafe) firearms." This is addressed in our policy dealing with weapon inspections"

 

[Colonel]

In California, concealed carry permits are issued by the county you live in and each county has their own policies. It would help if you tell us which county you are in. I can tell you in Orange county, they do not allow any modification to the inside of the pistol. You can only make changes to external parts such as grips and sights. You might want to visit the Calguns forums where they have lots of info on local laws/rules/policies.

I'm sorry, but that is just ridiculous. The California Political Loons are really over the top!

 

[wrangler5]

If you remember that the underlying purpose of the "safe gun" rigamarole has always been to make gun ownership as burdensome and restrictive as possible for citizens of CA without running completely afoul of the Second Amendment, every little variation and nuance in the rules makes perfect sense.

 

[Raytonium]

In California, concealed carry permits are issued by the county you live in and each county has their own policies. It would help if you tell us which county you are in. I can tell you in Orange county, they do not allow any modification to the inside of the pistol. You can only make changes to external parts such as grips and sights. You might want to visit the Calguns forums where they have lots of info on local laws/rules/policies.

Same in Placer County - no internal modifications.

 

[Rastoff]

Finally, they did say (am I'm quoting here)... "Short answer. If you can legally purchase it in CA, you can legally use it for our CCW purposes. Lasers (red or green) and weapon mounted lights are ok as long as they do not alter the weapon from the original manufactures specifications and they are installed according to the laser or light manufactures specifications. Our policy refers to the CPC sections addressing "safe (or unsafe) firearms." This is addressed in our policy dealing with weapon inspections"

This statement is self contradicting. First they say "If you can legally purchase it in CA, you can use it for CCW." Then they say, "...as long as they do not alter the weapon from original MFR specs." Weird, but I expect that from CA.


Also, I noticed that the penalty here is, "......shall result in the immediate suspension of the CCW license." This tells me it's an agreement with the IA rather than law. Therefore, a person could modify their gun and the worst that could happen is loss of license.

Now, as far as CA law is concerned, the IA has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the license. Those restrictions must be written on the license itself.

So, does this appear on the license?

Kern county has no such restrictions. CA law has no such restrictions. I'll not add any more confusion to this until we learn what jurisdiction the OP lives in.

 

[SmithNWesson]

In California, concealed carry permits are issued by the county you live in and each county has their own policies. It would help if you tell us which county you are in. I can tell you in Orange county, they do not allow any modification to the inside of the pistol. You can only make changes to external parts such as grips and sights. You might want to visit the Calguns forums where they have lots of info on local laws/rules/policies.

And in thought Massachusetts was bad....well i guess it is but we can atleast change out internals

 

[InsideWaist]

Now, as far as CA law is concerned, the IA has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the license. Those restrictions must be written on the license itself.

So, does this appear on the license?

Yes, for those that have restrictions. My license does not have any restrictions, but other folks may have some such as, "Only valid for work", etc.

Have said that, all licensees can only carry firearms that are listed on your license (up to a max of 5 firearms).

 

[Rastoff]

Yes, for those that have restrictions. My license does not have any restrictions,...

In OC? Why is yours different?

Have said that, all licensees can only carry firearms that are listed on your license (up to a max of 5 firearms).

This is not relevant to the discussion, but is dependent on the IA. Most IAs limit number of guns to 3 because that's what's on the front of the license. In Kern you can have up to 10. In some counties they let you have as many as you can fit on the back.

 

[InsideWaist]

Yes, for those that have restrictions. My license does not have any restrictions, but other folks may have some such as, "Only valid for work", etc.

In OC? Why is yours different?

I don't know the answer to that because I don't know what the other counties' licenses look like.

From what I understand any individual restrictions are printed on the license. For general restrictions such as for the OC IA (OCSD)), they have their "Terms of License".

Have said that, all licensees can only carry firearms that are listed on your license (up to a max of 5 firearms).

This is not relevant to the discussion...

Agreed. I was just continuing on as to what is actually printed on the license; and I should have clarified that the 5 firearms is for the OC (and maybe others).

 

[Rastoff]

From what I understand any individual restrictions are printed on the license. For general restrictions such as for the OC IA (OCSD)), they have their "Terms of License".

There are no "individual" restrictions. Either the IA has restrictions for everyone or no one. In your case, there are no restrictions for people in OC.

The "Terms of License Acknowledgement" is an agreement and not law. I know of several IAs in CA that have such agreements. They carry very little weight. They simply give the IA a little more clout when they decide an individual is someone they want to take the license away from. If you violate one of the terms in the agreement, the worst that can happen to you is you lose your license. Again, it's not law.

 

[InsideWaist]

There are no "individual" restrictions. Either the IA has restrictions for everyone or no one. In your case, there are no restrictions for people in OC.

I thought some CCW's here had a restriction on their license that said something to the effect of "For work only"?

 

[Cal44]

If you take the mandatory training class for your carry license, take it in the county you live in.

The instructor will be able to answer your questions about modifications.

One problem about ignoring these rules is if you ever have to use your firearm for defense, you don't want to have the prosecutor get a person from your sheriff's department testify that you had violated the terms of your license and were carrying illegally.

I decided to follow the rules and regulations religiously.

If I want to play around with mods to a firearm, I'll do so on a range gun that is not on my license.

 

[Rastoff]

I thought some CCW's here had a restriction on their license that said something to the effect of "For work only"?

It's possible, but that is a license that is different than a CCW. For example, prison guards in a private prison can only carry their gun while on duty.

If you take the mandatory training class for your carry license, take it in the county you live in.

The instructor will be able to answer your questions about modifications.

Most IAs will require you to take the mandatory class in the area of their jurisdiction, but not all. The law simply requires a course of instruction that is acceptable to the IA and covers at least firearm safety and the law regarding the permissible use of a firearm.

Unfortunately not all instructors are created equal. Many are just in it for the money and give very little instruction. Sometimes this is a good thing because they don't really know the law. I've heard of many instructors giving out information as law when it's not. This is one reason I became a CCW instructor.

Take your time and read about whomever you intend to get instruction from. Even if you find a good instructor, do your own research after the class. Validate everything you learned by reading the law yourself.

 

[PastureOfMuppets]

I thought some CCW's here had a restriction on their license that said something to the effect of "For work only"?

That depends on the department issuing. Cali is a may issue state and it's down to the Sheriff departments idea of "good cause".

If you're good cause is having to carry large amounts of money for work in business hours, the department can make it a work only permit.