Giving this immense power to individuals is not an easy process for the unfamiliar. Obtaining a CCW can be lengthy, tedious, frustrating, and requires complicated paperwork. Moreover, if a CCW application is rejected, many jurisdictions prohibit re-applications for one year.
CCW Licenses – How We Help and What We Do
When serious about obtaining a CCW, contact us, and we will provide you with an overview of the services we provide in obtaining a CCW. We encourage you to schedule your free and confidential consultation. There we will discuss what to expect in the process of obtaining a CCW and any potential issues with your history or background. We represent individuals from the beginning to the end of the process. Hakimfar Law completes all the complicated paperwork, answers all questions, and ensures that you are completely prepared for the interview with a law enforcement officer. Our firm has represented hundreds of people throughout the state successfully obtain their CCW.
We take out all stress, all the paperwork, and all the confusion for individuals applying for a CCW in California. When you are seriously interested in obtaining your right to conceal and carry in the State of California with your own CCW, you are welcome and encouraged to schedule a free and confidential consultation. This is when we will discuss how your qualifications, how we can best represent you, and what to expect in the process. Let us do the hard work for you and be aware of what’s happening every step of the way. Let us know, and we’ll be happy to help.
How Can I Apply For a CCW in California?
The CCW application in the state of California is a challenging process. One must meet their local town, county, and state ordinance to receive approval for a CCW.
The general process to apply for a CCW in California is as follows:
- Locate and attend eight (8) hours of approved firearm training that includes a live-fire portion.
- Fill out the Bureau of Firearms application for the issuance of a license to carry a concealed firearm.
- Submit the application and proof of training to the local police station or the county sheriff’s department.
- If the initial application is accepted, a deep and extensive interview session is held with the issuing law enforcement agency.
- Submit fingerprinting, an information meeting on CCWs, and a criminal background check with the local agency.
- *(If local legislature requires a psychological evaluation-)* Undergo a psychological evaluation for which the fee is $150. One can find more information under Penal Code 26190 (f).
- If the department approves the application in full, retrieve the license and carry it on your person while the firearm is with you.
Due to the recent NYSRPA v. Bruen ruling, needing to submit “good cause” is no longer required to be approved for a concealed carry permit. However, California state legislators are drafting and signing new bills into law, making concealed carry permits more difficult to acquire. In many counties throughout California, Sheriff’s Office Deputies will now request all social media account information when being vetted for “good moral character.” Hakimfar law is versed in acquiring CCW permits for hundreds of Californians.
What Are The Requirements For a Concealed Carry Permit in California?
California Penal Code 26510 states that all CCW firearm applicants must show good moral character, and live, work, or own a business or property within the county of application to obtain a CCW permit. Applicants must also attend a minimum of eight hours of firearm training through a licensed and approved firearm trainer. Local regulations may not require an applicant to attend training longer than 16 hours. For the law, as written, refer to Assembly Bill 2103, which contains the Firearm Training regulations in California. If the county one is applying for has a population under 200,000 by the most recent federal census, the sheriff will only consider a license to carry a loaded and exposed weapon capable of concealment.
What Disqualifies One From Obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit?
Those with felony criminal convictions may not own, possess, or concealed carry any firearm in California and the United States. If the person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the sheriff’s department will deny their application for a CCW. Additionally, any person a US court has convicted of domestic violence or served with an Order of Protection against them is ineligible for firearms possession and ownership within the US. California is a state with “Red Flag” laws. Those who have been “flagged” by an immediate family member or someone in direct contact with the person will have their firearms and ammunition taken away. The issuing authority will then reevaluate whether a CCW is allowable. They will not be able to receive their concealed carry firearms permit in the state unless the local court finds the report invalid.
Can I Have a Red Flag Report Removed?
Red flag reports are not easy for one to remove. Once a local authority flags a person, they must admit themselves to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation. Even after the doctor releases the patient in good standing, the firearm’s owner could have to wait 1-5 years to receive their firearms back. Without proper legal knowledge and help, the police could indefinitely refuse to release the weapons.
What Is The Concealed Carry Permit Renewal Application Process?
Once granted a CCW, the permit is typically valid for two years unless the sheriff’s department specifies a shorter period. If the applicant resides in the same county that issues the concealed carry permit, the applicant will likely not need to go through the fingerprinting process again. They will need to submit a renewal application with the same authority that issues the permit initially. The cost can be $111 or more if the authority requires a psychological evaluation or fingerprinting. If 120 days pass from the expiration of one’s CCW permit, the applicant must reapply for their concealed carry weapons permit. The applicant must also take another 4-hour training course to be eligible for a CCW renewal.
Suppose the applicant moves to a different county within the state. In that case, they must present the local police department or sheriff’s office with their CCW permit and submit a renewal fee and new fingerprinting for the local authorities.
Standard Concealed Carry Permit Renewal Fees are as Follows:
- A $52 Department of Justice Renewal Fee
- A $30 Renewal Application fee
- A $29 License Renewal fee
Exceptions to The Two-Year Concealed Carry Weapon Permit Period
The typical CCW permit in California is valid for two years. However, certain officials may be allowed an extension of this period. Other applicants that apply for a CCW in counties where they work or own a business but do not reside can only receive approval for a license valid for up to 90 days. Positions that allow for a three-year license are as follows:
- California judges on record
- Magistrates of a federal court
- Judges of a federal court,
- California court commissioners on record (only full-time)
Positions that allow a four-year license are subject to Penal Code Section 831.5 and are as follows:
- Custodial Officers
- Public Officers
Can I Modify My Concealed Carry Permit in California?
Many counties in California do not allow you to modify your CCW application after they accept it. Modification of one’s CCW includes adding other weapons to the concealed carry registry. Thus, a newly obtained weapon is not legal for CCW status until one has registered it specifically in a CCW application or renewal application. If the applicant lives in a county that does not allow CCW permit modifications, the applicant must wait until their renewal date to add new weapons. Some cities, like Auburn, allow concealed carriers to modify their concealed carry permits with the issuing authority. To modify a concealed carry weapons permit, the applicant must prove that they are qualified for a CCW by an instructor and file the firearm serial numbers under the Modification Application.
Where Can I Carry My Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) in California?
The state of California explicitly states that all federal property and school zones are completely off-limits regarding firearms. Even with a CCW, a person cannot enter a courthouse, school zones, airports, police departments, federal post offices, or other federal buildings. California law also prohibits concealed carry weapons owners from entering businesses that solely serve alcohol or alcoholic beverages. However, it is not illegal for a concealed carry weapons holder to enter an establishment that serves alcohol and food.
New laws, such as SB918, are being drafted to strict more areas in which concealed carry weapons can be brought. Areas such as event stadiums, public events, places of worship, establishments that serve alcohol, and expand current laws that allow locked firearms near school zones or government buildings. SB918 has the power to drastically change concealed carry weapons in the state and is currently on track to be passed by the State Assembly. SB918 will remove the exceptions allowed to CCW permit holders to store their unloaded firearms in locked containers when near school property and will expand that law to government buildings, event stadiums, and more.
California Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity
The state of California does not honor any other state’s CCW license. For example, if a person has a CCW issued in Nevada, their license will not be honored in California.
When crossing state lines, the owner or whoever possesses the gun must lock away handguns in a California DOJ-approved locked container. The handgun may also not be located anywhere within reach of the driver (i.e., passenger’s seat or simply putting the firearm in the backseat.) The owner or whoever possesses the gun must lock the firearm away in the car’s trunk, or if the vehicle does not have a trunk, it must be locked in the glove box.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Concealed Carry Permit in California?
The processing time can range anywhere from 60-120 days for a CCW permit. The state’s licensing authority must issue a written notice within 90 days of filing to the applicant, stating whether or not the issuing agency will grant CCW privileges. The process could take up to 120 days if the applicant’s background check is slow to process or further investigation is needed. However, even after notice of approval, one is not allowed to carry concealed until they retrieve their license.
Unfortunately, there is no way to check the status of a CCW application once they submit it. There is no site or number an applicant can call, and the sheriff’s office will not be able to give any updates. If one does not receive a letter within 90 days, then calling the licensing authority is the first step one should take. The state licensing authority will also not be able to give out any information regarding permit applications.
Since the Supreme Court has struck down the “good cause” requirement for CCW applicants, counties such as Los Angeles have had an influx of residents applying for their permits. The wait times will only increase as more strain is put on Sheriff’s deputies to review hundreds of thousands of applications. Any mistakes made in the paperwork will result in the applicant needing to redo the process and start from the beginning, adding more months onto the timeframe. Hakimfar law is versed in expediting conceal carry permits and ensuring the application process is smooth.
Are “No Weapons Allowed” Signs Enforced in California?
There is no California statute regarding “no weapons allowed” on private property. The property owner may ask the CCW owner to leave, but the CCW holder is not breaking any law as long as they vacate the property. If asked to leave private property, the person must oblige, or they could face criminal trespassing charges. If a building is federal property, federal law forbids any weapons, and the carrier, CCW or not, will face criminal charges.
Where Can I Not Use My Concealed Carry Permit?
California law bars concealed carry weapons permit holders from entering all federal property or buildings. Federal properties include:
- US Postal Offices
- Courthouses
- Airports
- Police Stations
- School zones (within 1,000 feet of the property)
- The governor’s mansion or any government building
California law also prohibits the open carrying of a firearm without the proper permits. Those who reside in counties with less than 200,000 may be eligible for an open-carry weapons permit but not a CCW permit. The sheriff’s department has complete discretion on whether or not to grant this permit.
How Do I Store My Firearms When I Leave The Car?
Specific requirements are made for firearms when locked unattended in a vehicle. Concealed carry weapons holders may NOT leave their firearm unlocked and unattended in a vehicle. The owner or whoever possesses the gun must place the firearm in a California DOJ-approved lock device, away from the driver’s reach. Out of reach areas could be in the vehicle’s trunk, or if the owner has a flatbed, they may lock the firearm in a locked container within the vehicle.
Is There a Limit on How Many Firearms one Can Own?
California law does not limit how many firearms a person can own. However, California does limit how many weapons a person can buy during a single period. Starting July 1st, 2021, California residents can only buy one handgun OR one rifle per 30-day period. California residents must wait ten days to retrieve their Dealer Record of Sales (DROS) and 20 more days to purchase another firearm.
Are Large Capacity Magazines Legal in California?
According to California Penal Code 32310, large-capacity magazines are illegal to own, possess, sell, or manufacture within the state. A large-capacity magazine is any ammunition feeding device with over ten-round capacities. The ten-round limit does not apply to the following devices:
- Devices one alters to hold ten (10) or fewer rounds
- Riles that utilize a tube for .22 caliber ammunition
- Tube fed devices that utilize a lever-action method
Exceptions are made to this rule for specific federal and state employees under Penal Code 33210. PC 33210 most often refers to members of the armed forces in active duty or law enforcement when such official duty prescribes such a device.
Can I Sell The Firearm Listed on My CCW Permit?
There are no state laws limiting selling or transferring the weapon listed under the CCW permit. All firearms transfers must occur through a licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). If the transfer is intra-familial, the involved parties must file a Report of Operation of Law or Intra-Familial Handgun Transaction within 30 days after taking possession.
How Do I Bring a Gun From Another State to California?
When moving to the state of California with firearms, the state considers the individual a “Personal Firearm Importer.” The importer must file a New Resident Report of Firearm Ownership within 60 days of moving into the state and pay a $19 fee. It is generally illegal to bring assault weapons, suppressors, or large-capacity magazines into the state. All NFA items are barred from entering the state without a Dangerous Weapons Permit.
Can I Purchase an Out-of-State Handgun or Rifle?
Generally, acquiring off-roster handguns or rifles is extremely difficult or expensive for the average person. In the state of California, you may purchase an off-roster weapon if:
- The owner of the out-of-state firearm has transferred the firearm to a California state resident
- One is active law enforcement
Acquiring an out-of-state weapon is typically done using the transfer method. However, the purchaser can expect to pay a significant markup on the MSRP of the firearm and must pay $37 for the Dealer Record on Saales fee, as well as a Federal-Firearm License transfer fee.
Can I Open Carry a Firearm in California?
California law prohibits anyone without an open-carry license from openly carrying a firearm in public. Certain cities within the state of California allow for open-carry weapons licenses. Sheriffs of counties with less than a population of 200,000 may issue open-carry licenses to those who can show “good cause” for open carrying a firearm.
What is the Waiting Period For Buying Weapons?
The state strictly enforces the ten-day waiting period for picking up firearms. A person cannot pick up their firearm until the entire ten-day waiting period is over. Without a Class 3 FFL, there are no exemptions to the waiting period. If the purchaser is an FFL or has permits for special weapons, there is no waiting period for picking up firearms in California. Peace officers or LEOs are also exempt from the state’s waiting period.
My Concealed Carry Permit was lost or stolen:
Depending on the county where the CCW permit was issued, there could be a processing fee and a renewal fee. A concealed carry weapons holder must contact local law enforcement once their permit is lost or stolen. Some counties will charge $10 for a duplicate license, while others can charge up to $175.
How Can I check the status of my CCW application?
Unfortunately, there is no way to check the status of a concealed carry permit once one submits it. The state licensing agency must give written notice within 90 days of filing to the applicant, notifying them if the department will grant the permit. In some cases, the process can take up to 120 days if the applicant’s background needs further investigation. The sheriff’s office will not have any information regarding an application once one files it. If 90 days have passed with no response, contact the issuing authority.
How Can I Get a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) in California?
In short, there is no straightforward way to acquire a short barrel rifle (SBR) in California. California classifies SBRs as NFA items, and California law has banned them. However, there are a few ways California residents may acquire short-barreled pistols. Law Enforcement Officers can acquire off-roster AR-pistols with lower receivers. They may then maglock the firearm and transfer them to state residents. Maglocking a weapon is the only way a person may transfer it in the state of California. Due to the “Bullet Button” law passed by Governor Jerry Brown, off-roster weapons or “featured” a maglock must contain the weapon to transport it into the state. The only other way a person may build a short-barreled pistol is if they visit a class-7 Federal-Firearm License retailer.
How Can I Get My Firearm Out of Police Custody?
Once the law enforcement agency that has taken possession of the weapon has notified that the firearm is ready for pickup, the owner may file a Law Enforcement Gun Release (LEGR) application and pay a $30 fee per firearm. If your firearms are in law enforcement custody, one may need legal assistance to retrieve them.
When Can I Brandish My Firearm?
One must meet several requirements if intending to brandish a firearm. However, they should never brandish a weapon unless it is necessary. If the person is carrying their concealed weapon in public, they cannot brandish their weapon in a threatening manner. CCW owners can and should only brandish their firearm if their life or someone else’s life around them is in imminent danger. In other words, if a person believes they or someone else is about to be harmed, they may brandish their firearm and possibly even shoot to kill. CCW owners may not brandish their weapons during any fights or quarrels, and they should avoid brandishing a weapon in any scenario.
What Should I Do If I Shoot Someone?
If a CCW permit owner finds themself in a situation where they had to brandish or use their firearm, contact the police immediately, and notify the dispatcher that they are a CCW owner and have just shot (at) someone. Do not say anything else to the dispatcher besides the location and what the CCW owner is wearing. Relaying only the necessary information protects one’s best interests and helps to avoid any possible criminal persecution. If one says anything further, it can be held against them if prosecution occurs. Contact an attorney immediately after and do not speak to law enforcement officers. There is a high likelihood that authorities may place the shooter in custody if they shoot someone, even in self-defense, and invoking the fifth amendment right is the best route a person can take when this occurs.
How Many Guns Can You Carry With a Concealed Carry Permit in California?
California allows CCW permit holders to carry only the handguns listed on their CCW application. Firearms owners cannot carry a firearm their CCW license does not list. Some counties within the state allow for modifications of weapons permits, but many counties do not. Check with your licensing agency if a CCW permit is modifiable.
Contact Hakimfar Law
Hakimfar Law prides itself on helping all in need of acquiring their conceal carry permit. We’re here to help you throughout the entire process and more. Contact Hakimfar Law today for your free consultation!
