Concealed Weapons Permit (CCW)
To legally carry a weapon in California, one must apply for a concealed weapons permit (CCW), which allows ordinary citizens to carry firearms in California. Without a CCW, having a loaded or unloaded gun is a crime under:
What are the Requirements for Attaining A CCW?
For the state of California to allow a person to carry out a concealed carry permit, they have to meet the following conditions:
- The person must have good moral character.
- There must be an exceptional reason for the issuance of the permit. For example, your family is in grave danger, or the person suspects they are being targeted.
- There are residency requirements to be met.
- The person must have completed a course in firearms training (8 hours of training and showing in live-fire exercises that they can safely handle shooting a gun).
- The applicant must not have been convicted of a felony offense or certain misdemeanor cases like domestic violence charges.
- The person must also not be subject to a restraining order.
- They should also not be addicted to any drugs.
- In addition, the person must not have been diagnosed with mental illness.
- Lastly, the person must not have been hospitalized more than once yearly for a mental health condition.
Effective January 1, 2012, Penal Codes 26150 and 26155 replaced the former code 12050, which dealt with the law of carrying concealed weapons. The new rules do not necessarily license firearms. Instead, they issue how permits are given.
What are the Steps for Acquiring a CCW permit?
If someone meets the above requirements and lives in a county with less than 200,000 people, the person is eligible to receive a “modified” concealed weapons permit. In such a case, the person can carry a loaded and exposed firearm in the county where the permit was given.
If a person can prove that their family or themselves are in great danger and meet all the criteria required, they are also eligible to carry a concealed weapon. However, the sheriff and police chief are adamant about informing citizens that carrying a concealed weapon is a right that should not be underestimated.
The application for a CCW permit is basically three steps which include:
- The first is a paper application. All the agencies that issue such a permit, like the local county or sheriff’s department, require an application stating why you need this permit. The renewal fees or application fees might vary.
- The person undergoes an interview process. Under this stage, the agency discusses why the applicant needs the license, their criminal history, and the consequences of issuing said person the permission to carry a firearm in public.
- The last step is undergoing a psychological evaluation. However, not all counties request such evaluation. In others, you have to pay a fee of up to $150.
What are the Restrictions on Carrying a CCW?
The permit does not allow any person with a CCW permit to carry another weapon apart from a pistol, revolver, and other weapons that can be concealed. Under Penal Code 417, a person with a concealed carry permit cannot use the gun to threaten individuals in an angry, threatening manner. Although, in a situation where someone can prove that they brandished the weapon to defend themselves, they can be excused from such conduct. Also, someone under the CCW might only be allowed to carry the gun in specific locations and at certain times. One must abide by the permit’s restrictions to keep their license because it can be revoked if the conditions are violated.
If one travels, some states might recognize the CCW permit, while others might not. In such cases, it is essential to check the local laws before crossing state lines as laws on CCW vary in different states. If traveling by airline, the Transportation Security Administration has strict rules regarding traveling with firearms and ammunition, which should be taken seriously.
It might be highly daunting whether you are new to carrying or owning a concealed carry weapon permit. Although there are many reasons why someone might need this particular license, the first step lies in knowing the laws since applying for CCW differs for various states.
Related Articles:
- What are the ‘Open Carry’ Gun Laws in California?
- California Lawmakers Vote to Tighten State Gun Laws
- How to Transfer a Gun to a Family Member in California
- What is Los Angeles Doing About Ghost Guns?
- Can I Own a Gun if I’m a Marijuana User?
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Seppi Esfandi is an Expert Attorney who has over 21 years of practice defending a variety of cases.
