Can You Get A Ccw In California

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In California, obtaining a Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) license is difficult. The sheriff has wide discretion whether to grant yous the license. To apply, contact your county sheriff. You'll have to fill up out an application and complete a firearms safe course. Depending on your county, yous may besides accept to undergo psychological testing. If you already take a CCW license from another state, you must apply for a California CCW license.

1
Check if you qualify. You aren't entitled to a CCW license. In order to authorize, you'll need to satisfy the following requirements, and then check alee of time:^[1]
- You have good moral character.
- You have skilful cause for the license.
- Y'all reside in the canton where you are applying, or the business where you lot spend a substantial corporeality of fourth dimension is in the county.
- You lot complete an canonical firearms preparation course.
- Yous haven't been bedevilled of a felony or certain misdemeanors.
- You aren't fond to narcotics and oasis't been diagnosed as mentally ill.
- You haven't lost your gun rights because of a domestic violence conviction.
- You lot are at least 21 years of age. (Some states make exceptions for those under 21.)
2
Contact your canton sheriff's role. There is no central office that awards CCW licenses. Instead, y'all must contact your county sheriff's office. They should provide you with a checklist of documents or another handout that explains the awarding process.
- If you live in an incorporated city, yous can also use with the police department for that city.
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Read the restrictions. You'll need to provide a signed acknowledgement of restrictions as role of your application. Accordingly, read up on what California law requires of those with a CCW license. Yous can notice this information in Section 4 of the application.
- For instance, you tin't consume booze while carrying your weapon or exist in a bar with the weapon.
- Yous besides must bear witness the license to an officer when requested.
4
Gather the required documents. The sheriff'due south part will request certain documents from you. Refer to your awarding instructions. For instance, in Riverside County, you'll need to provide the post-obit:
- nativity certificate or naturalization papers
- color copy of a valid driver's license
- proof that you live in the county (east.g., utility bills)
- war machine discharge DD214 (if applicable)
- two recent passport photos
- employer statement and signed approval (if applying for your chore)
- proof of employer-employee relationship (if applying for your job)
v

Obtain your graphic symbol references. Your county might require reference letters from people who know you. Don't choose family members or employers as your references. The person writing the alphabetic character should include their contact information and explain that they are aware y'all are applying for a CCW permit.
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Complete the California DOJ application. The California Department of Justice has a standard initial application you must consummate. You lot can download the class and blazon in your information. Utilize additional pages if you lot need actress space.
- Consummate sections 1 through v.
- Ask whether yous should complete the other sections in the presence of an official. Each county is a little chip different in what they require.
7
Explain your good cause for the license. Good cause is difficult to prove unless y'all are applying for the license as part of a job. For instance, you might desire to acquit a weapon for personal safe because someone has physically threatened yous. Depending on your county, this might not exist sufficient reason.^[ii] On your application, go into every bit much detail as possible, including the following details:
- dates and times of any incident
- the location of the incident
- names of police or other authorities involved
- copies of police reports or restraining orders
- verified statements from witnesses
8
Submit your awarding. In some counties, yous'll submit the application online.^[3] In other counties, you lot'll submit the application when yous nourish your interview. Read your county's instructions to encounter how you should submit.
- You lot may too demand to browse and upload supporting documents, such every bit your utility bill or nascence document.^[4]
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Set up for your interview. After you submit your awarding, yous'll schedule an interview. To prepare, read the questions in Department 7 of the application and prepare your answers.
- For example, you'll be asked whether you take always been in a mental establishment or if you've e'er been addicted to alcohol or drugs.
- You'll as well be asked nearly any criminal history involving firearms and domestic violence.
- Also set up to talk about why you lot have expert cause for getting a CCW license.
2
Bring checks or money orders. Typically, you demand to pay a portion of your authoritative/background check fee at the time of your interview.^[5] Refer to the instructions for the corporeality.
- Yous may also have to pay for your fingerprinting at the interview.
3
Nourish your interview. At your interview, you'll hash out your criminal history and why y'all demand a license. Y'all'll besides talk nearly the consequences of publicly carrying a firearm.^[six]
- Make it at to the lowest degree xv minutes ahead of time for processing, and retrieve non to bring any weapons or bags with you.^[vii]
- If you tin't make the interview, call the sheriff's function as soon as possible to reschedule.
4

Give fingerprints. Later on your interview, yous will be told where to go to take your fingerprints taken. The fingerprints volition then be sent to the sheriff's part. Ask if you need to pay when you take your prints taken.

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Inquire for preapproval. You lot should obtain pre-approving earlier you take the safe course and complete your weapons qualification. Pre-blessing will salve yous time in example you don't qualify for a license.
2

Take a firearms prophylactic course. All applicants must accept the state'southward Firearms Condom Form. The sheriff should have a list of pre-approved courses you can take. Mostly, you lot will take a sixteen hour course on firearm safety or a 24-60 minutes community higher course.
3
Complete your weapons qualification. You tin can go a CCW license for more than one weapon. The county volition set the maximum. Before approval, yous must show that you lot tin can safely handle your weapons. Arrive at the firing range with all weapons you lot intend to qualify and make certain they are not loaded.
- You must burn down your weapon at the range and pass with a score of seventy% or better.
- For example, y'all volition shoot at two targets from the "low ready" position at the 15-, 10-, and 7-yard lines.
- Your holsters will be checked to make sure they have an acceptable thumb snap.
4
Nourish psychological testing, if necessary. Your canton may require that you lot complete psychological testing before they award you a CCW license. If testing is required, you should be referred to a licensed psychologist.
- You'll accept to pay for the testing, but it shouldn't be more than $150.
5
Await your results. The sheriff's office will analyze your application later you submit it. The processing time differs depending on the county. Even so, you could be in for a long wait.
- In Placer County, for case, applicants generally wait half-dozen months or more for their applications to be processed.^[8]
- Contact your county sheriff's office to check on await times.
6

Pay the remaining authoritative fee. You paid a portion (usually xx%) when yous submitted your application. Typically, you'll pay the remaining fourscore% when you receive your CCW license.^[9]
7
Update your application if you move. If yous move within the same county, notify the sheriff's part of your new address. Don't delay. Land police force requires that yous provide written notice inside 10 days. You lot may likewise accept to consummate a modification form and go into the office to have your license updated.^[10]
- If you move outside the issuing county, then tell them you have moved. You may take to give up your license, depending on the circumstances.^[11]
8
Renew in a timely manner. Don't look for your license to expire before renewing. You lot'll be breaking the law if y'all continue to carry with an expired license. Submit your renewal application 30-45 days before the expiration to give yourself enough time.^[12]
- You'll demand to take a four-hour CCW renewal course.^[13] Cheque with your county sheriff for a full list of requirements.
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Add New Question

Question

I lost my handgun safety grade card. How tin can I become a replacement?

Contact the issuing say-so for a replacement. At that place may be a nominal fee for the replacement card.
Question

Can I apply for a C.C.West. allow if I was arrested in past for C.C.Westward. without a permit?

Yeah, assuming you lot were non charged with a weapons-related felony for carrying without a permit.
Question

Is there a list of handguns that are allowed or not allowed in California for concealed carry with a CCW permit?

Bank check with your nearest gun store. They'll know what'south allowed and what'due south non.
Question

Practise I need to have a passport to get the CCW?

You don't have to accept a passport, but you have to be a citizen and accept a state issued license.
Question

Am I required to possess a firearm before I utilize for a CCW let?

Y'all must list the make, model, caliber, and series number on the application for all weapons you want to acquit.
Question

How practise I change my last proper noun to a married proper name?

Complete a Modification awarding at your county sheriff's office.
Question

Do I submit the application for a CCW permit in the canton I live in, or the county in which my concern is located? Can it be carried in both counties, or only the county in which it is issued?

Whatever urban center the weapon is to be carried or brandished is where the permit should be issued.
Question

Do I have to go through the grade if I have a permit in another state and want to utilize for one in California?

Yes. Your other state'due south CCW license does non transfer to California.
Question

I have lost my order number for my CCW application procedure. How exercise I discover out what it is?

Request the information from the issuing constabulary enforcement bureau or the California DOJ.
Question

Can I add some other firearm after I get my CCW license?

You will demand to consummate a Modification application with your county sheriff.

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Your weapon must be licensed with the country'due south Department of Justice, Firearms Bureau. A local firearms dealer tin can help you, or you can visit the Firearms Agency website for more information.^[xiv]
You can annals your weapons serial number for $x. Make full out the weapon registration form on the CA DOJ website. Post it in with a check or money society. This takes about 3 weeks.

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Article Summary X

To apply for a CCW in California, ask your county sheriff's part for a listing of required documents and an explanation of the application process. Gather all the documents they enquire for, equally well as some character references, and complete the California DOJ awarding. You will also demand to explicate why you demand the license, similar for a job or because someone threatened you. Once you lot have gathered all of that information, submit it and await for an interview. Keep reading for tips on passing the interview and handling the other requirements.

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