Getting a California CHL? How hard/easy?

[BigBlueDodge]

I was taking my Utah CFP class, and there was another gentleman in there that, via conversation, revealed that he had about 5 other CHL permits from other states. He didn't disclose his job, but what peaked my interest was that he had a license to carry in California. Now, it is my understanding that getting a CHL in California is near impossible if you are not a current/former law enformement. However, this guy said that in fact it was quite easy, all you had to do was live there and submit the proper paperwork. Can anyone verify the accuracy of this? I don't doubt him on his story, but it would certainly go against the grain from what I've heard about California previously.

[tallmike]

He is right, as long as the county he lives in has a good sheriff. The sheriff is the one who decides if you get a license or not in california. You have to be a resident of a good county.

[Skipper5]

Such as Ventura County and Orange County (was most progressive in CA...now new Sheriff) and a hold on new requests I believe. I'm a TX CHl that has a house in San Diego...and don't have a prayers chance..."not a resident" and don't now what my 'good cause' would be as semi-retired businessman. GCs (good causes) are a underlined MUST in the appl process.
google CACCW.com????? Don;t have it bookmarked on this computer....

...Charles Cotton and I both members online....

Good luck and keep us posted// John

[The Annoyed Man]

The Sheriff of Ventura County was under some considerable political pressure because of his willingness to issue CCW permits. Also, I may be mistaken, but I am not convinced that state law forces "reciprocity" between counties. For instance, if Ventura county issues you a permit, it may not be recognized as valid in L.A. county. In fact, L.A. county does not issue permits pretty much at all. Back when the LAPD chief was Willie Williams (Bratton's predecessor), he couldn't qualify to carry as a police officer because he was so bad with a pistol, so the L.A. County Sheriff issued him a carry permit; but that was a really rare thing.

As a practical matter, you can kiss off the idea of a California permit unless you are politically well connected.

[KBCraig]

I believe Riverside County is pretty easy. But again, it's for residents only.

[Skipper5]

Dear Annoyed Man,
Last time I read the statue ....if issued a CCW in SAN...it is valid in SFO, etc.

And considering that SFO county only issued something like 6-8 permits in total last year....the non-LEO/Federal/Detention concealed carry in the city could be double/triple/ or even quad the total SFO permitted carry ...just by the fact of other county ccw's being in SFO for a visit or on business.

Think if issued in one county...all counties recognize. IANAL...but worth a look again.
//John

[WildBill]

The CCW is issued by the county, but is valid throughout the state. Most sheriffs and police chiefs won't issue permits for residents of other counties.

I recall that the San Francisco DA said that he wouldn't recognize CCWs from other counties and would procecute anyone that was carrying a concealed handgun. This is illegal, of course, but that wouldn't stop him from trying.

[Skipper5]

The CCW is issued by the county, but is valid throughout the state. Most sherrif or police chiefs won't issue permits for residents of other counties.

errr...then I guess a nice letter to the San Diego Sheriff asking for a CA CCW would kinda be out of the question.... How 'bout if I ask real nice and ask him to send it to my Dallas address...n promise not to set foot in CA....oh lordy...ha

//John

I mean - afterall, TX does recognize CA's CCW....

[SRizz21]

I've heard a CHL in Cali is very difficult to get. I did some research on it and downloaded the application. There is an essay segment where you have to justify your reasoning for carrying. It doesn't seem like self defense is a valid reason in Cali.

[The Annoyed Man]

The CCW is issued by the county, but is valid throughout the state. Most sheriffs and police chiefs won't issue permits for residents of other counties.

I recall that the San Francisco DA said that he wouldn't recognize CCWs from other counties and would procecute anyone that was carrying a concealed handgun. This is illegal, of course, but that wouldn't stop him from trying.

Maybe that's where I got the notion of non-reciprocity. In any case, the sheriffs of non-issuing counties raise the merry devil whenever a sheriff who issues gets noticed for it. There used to be a sheriff in some county like Inyo or Kern counties, or one of those other counties more in central California a long time ago who would easily issue permits, but he started getting threatened with the withholding of state funds if he kept it up.

The bottom line is, your time would probably be better spent on other endeavors.

[Skipper5]

The CCW is issued by the county, but is valid throughout the state. Most sheriffs and police chiefs won't issue permits for residents of other counties.

I recall that the San Francisco DA said that he wouldn't recognize CCWs from other counties and would procecute anyone that was carrying a concealed handgun. This is illegal, of course, but that wouldn't stop him from trying.

Maybe that's where I got the notion of non-reciprocity. In any case, the sheriffs of non-issuing counties raise the merry devil whenever a sheriff who issues gets noticed for it. There used to be a sheriff in some county like Inyo or Kern counties, or one of those other counties more in central California a long time ago who would easily issue permits, but he started getting threatened with the withholding of state funds if he kept it up.

The bottom line is, your time would probably be better spent on other endeavors.

Yep....agree. In reference to guy who had several CHL/CCWs...he very well could have been a Federal agent...intelligence officer......."" everything is not as it appears""...wasn't that the Andy Garcia /Colin Farrell - "The Farm Movie" whatever the name....
Ho hum ...back to cleaning my EMP!! I really do hope that CA gets its act together. When I go to my range out there...Discount Gun....nice friendly folks, etc...and they commeserate with out of state visitors.
Why does Texas recognize CA CCW...?
Perhaps Charles can answer this question...I think other states should recipocate or nothing.
//John

[jamullinstx]

I sent a letter to Governor Perry on this very issue, demanding to know why he signed a reciprocity agreement for CA residents, yet CA doesn't recognize our permits. Of course, you guessed it, no response.

The CCW is issued by the county, but is valid throughout the state. Most sheriffs and police chiefs won't issue permits for residents of other counties.

I recall that the San Francisco DA said that he wouldn't recognize CCWs from other counties and would procecute anyone that was carrying a concealed handgun. This is illegal, of course, but that wouldn't stop him from trying.

Maybe that's where I got the notion of non-reciprocity. In any case, the sheriffs of non-issuing counties raise the merry devil whenever a sheriff who issues gets noticed for it. There used to be a sheriff in some county like Inyo or Kern counties, or one of those other counties more in central California a long time ago who would easily issue permits, but he started getting threatened with the withholding of state funds if he kept it up.

The bottom line is, your time would probably be better spent on other endeavors.

Yep....agree. In reference to guy who had several CHL/CCWs...he very well could have been a Federal agent...intelligence officer......."" everything is not as it appears""...wasn't that the Andy Garcia /Colin Farrell - "The Farm Movie" whatever the name....
Ho hum ...back to cleaning my EMP!! I really do hope that CA gets its act together. When I go to my range out there...Discount Gun....nice friendly folks, etc...and they commeserate with out of state visitors.
Why does Texas recognize CA CCW...?
Perhaps Charles can answer this question...I think other states should recipocate or nothing.
//John

[Ace_Inthe_O]

There is a colored coded map somewhere that shows how hard it is by county to obtain a CHL. Here it is:
http://www.calccw.com/Forums/county-faq ... ornia.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Charles L. Cotton]

I sent a letter to Governor Perry on this very issue, demanding to know why he signed a reciprocity agreement for CA residents, yet CA doesn't recognize our permits. Of course, you guessed it, no response.

He did it because Texas law required him to do so. This was part of the change when reciprocity was taken away from DPS and was given to the AG and Governor.

Chas.

§ 411.173. NONRESIDENT LICENSE.

• (a) The department by
  rule shall establish a procedure for a person who meets the
  eligibility requirements of this subchapter other than the
  residency requirement established by Section 411.172(a)(1) to
  obtain a license under this subchapter if the person is a legal
  resident of another state or if the person relocates to this state
  with the intent to establish residency in this state. The procedure
  must include payment of a fee in an amount sufficient to recover the
  average cost to the department of obtaining a criminal history
  record check and investigation on a nonresident applicant. A
  license issued in accordance with the procedure established under
  this subsection:
  • (1) remains in effect until the license expires under
    Section 411.183; and
    (2) may be renewed under Section 411.185.
  
  (a-1) Repealed by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 915, § 4,
  eff. September 1, 2005.
  (b) The governor shall negotiate an agreement with any other
  state that provides for the issuance of a license to carry a
  concealed handgun under which a license issued by the other state is
  recognized in this state or shall issue a proclamation that a
  license issued by the other state is recognized in this state if the
  attorney general of the State of Texas determines that a background
  check of each applicant for a license issued by that state is
  initiated by state or local authorities or an agent of the state or
  local authorities before the license is issued. For purposes of
  this subsection, "background check" means a search of the National
  Crime Information Center database and the Interstate
  Identification Index maintained by the Federal Bureau of
  Investigation.
  (c) The attorney general of the State of Texas shall
  annually:
  • (1) submit a report to the governor, lieutenant
    governor, and speaker of the house of representatives listing the
    states the attorney general has determined qualify for recognition
    under Subsection (b); and
    (2) review the statutes of states that the attorney
    general has determined do not qualify for recognition under
    Subsection (b) to determine the changes to their statutes that are
    necessary to qualify for recognition under that subsection.
  (d) The attorney general of the State of Texas shall submit
  the report required by Subsection (c)(1) not later than January 1 of
  each calendar year.

[barres]

I sent a letter to Governor Perry on this very issue, demanding to know why he signed a reciprocity agreement for CA residents, yet CA doesn't recognize our permits. Of course, you guessed it, no response.

Because being the good guys means we do the right thing, even if the other person (or government, in this case) refuses to do so.