California Concealed Carry Permit Information

Click here to view California’s Concealed Carry Permit Map at the bottom of the page.

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Concealed Permit:
May Issue to Residents only.

Example Permit:

Issuing Authority:
County Sheriff or Police Chief of the area you reside.

NICS/Background Check:
Yes

Permit Valid For:

Processing Time:

Cost:
There are several fees involved. They will vary from agency to agency, but as a guideline:
• $70 – $125 – Department of Justice (fingerprints & background check)
• $100 – Local processing fee
• Training – varies, typically no more than $250, at most.

Featured California Firearm Instructors:


Requirements:
California law allows Police Chiefs and County Sheriffs to issue a license to carry a concealed firearm if the following requirements are met:
1. Upon proof that the person applying is of good moral character
2. That good cause exists for the issuance
3. The applicant is a resident of the county or city to which they are applying (or the applicant’s place of employment is within the city or county)
4. The applicant has completed a course of training (16-24 hours)

Required Documents:

Renewal Information:

Change of Name or Address:

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Permits:

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:
Some counties (Orange County in particular) require that during any contact with law enforcement, you must “immediately announce” you are carrying a concealed weapon and have a license to do so. Other counties do not have the same mandatory disclosure requirement. If you’re in one of those counties, you have to make the decision whether or not to notify the officer. Law enforcement officers that frequent this forum overwhelmingly would want to be notified. Wouldn’t you if you were them?

Automobile carry:
California Penal Code section 12025 does not prevent a citizen of the United States over 18 years of age who is not lawfully prohibited from firearm possession, and who resides or is temporarily in California, from transporting by motor vehicle any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person provided the firearm is unloaded and stored in a locked container.

The term “locked container” means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. For more information, refer to California Penal Code Section 12026.1.

Places off-limits when carrying:
Federal courthouse – no. State courthouse (including “county” courthouses) – legally, yes – however, most courthouses have security and will not allow weapons in unless you are on-duty LEO.

California law does not prohibit CCW holders from carrying in a private business establishment, even if they post a sign and/or search people entering. However, they are within their rights to ask you to leave (temporarily or permanently) if they find out – and you are trespassing if you don’t leave after being asked.

Public Schoola, Collegea, or Universities – The answer is yes generally speaking. What we believe to be the applicable code sections follow for you to determine for yourself if this answer applies in your circumstance as this site does not provide legal advice.

While the California Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995 (626.9Cal PC) generally prohibits guns in schools, it has an exemption, located in PC 626.9(l), for Peace Officers, retired Peace Officers, and licensed CCW holders.

Alcohol and Drugs:

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
California is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law.

CA PC 198.5
198.5. Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or
great bodily injury within his or her residence shall be presumed to
have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great
bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that
force is used against another person, not a member of the family or
household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and
forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or
had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred.
As used in this section, great bodily injury means a significant
or substantial physical injury.

Open Carry:
California is not a traditional open carry state. Open carry is generally prohibited except in unincorporated areas where the county has not made open carry illegal, or, pursuant to a CA open carry permit issued and valid only in a county with a population of less than 200,000 persons.

Localities with Varying Laws:
Issuance policies change from county to county, from shall issue to won’t issue and everything in between. Check with your local county for more information.

Forms & Links:
Concealed Handgun Permit Application

  • Kardar2

     
    Where is concealed carry allowed by the license?
    Unless limited by a 12050(b) restriction on the license, a
    license is valid in the entire state.
    Specific exemptions allowing concealed carry for licensees under 12050 are
    Penal Code 171b
    public meetings
    Penal Code 171c State Capitol
    and related areas
    Penal Code 171d Governor’s mansion
    and Legislator’s residences
    Penal Code 626.9(l) School zones
    (K-12 and college/university)

    Limitations on carry
    Federal
    and local laws may limit concealed carry even for licensed individuals. Airport sterile
    areas and United States military installations are two examples.
    Courthouses and jail facilities commonly prohibit firearms, even for licensed individuals.
    San Francisco bans possession of firearms “upon public premises selling or serving alcoholic beverages” (San
    Francisco Municipal Code SEC. 3603).
    Certain
    city and county parks ordinances ban the possession of firearms and do
    not exempt PC 12050 license holders. These regulations are preempted by
    Government Code
    53071 and the Fiscal
    decision and as such are likely unenforceable against those licensed to
    carry under PC 12050. Some examples include San Mateo and Sacramento
    County Parks Ordinances.
     
     

    • http://www.facebook.com/jpreilley Jay Reilley

      Good point. Not sure why you received so many thumbs down, but…

  • Benlovesms

    Just a heads up, as of october,1,2011 open carry has been banned.                                                                                                                                                                                   im just another gun toting super liberal!!!

  • Fucku

    Castle doctrine: all that matters

    • http://www.facebook.com/jpreilley Jay Reilley

      Yes, and NO.

  • M.Prinz

    My brother from OR was in CA looking for a job and was stopped for a traffic violation. The officer asked if he had any weapons in the vehicle and my brother answered yes, that he had a .22 revolver, UNLOADED, in a zipper case on the passengers seat. Not knowingly he also had a few rounds inside the zipper cased.  Needless to say he was arrested and is now charged with carrying a concealed weapon. He was released on his own recog and has a initial court date in a few weeks back in CA.  What are the possible scenerio’s that he might be facing?  Charges just dropped, fine and probation, or jail time (and if so, how long)?

    • willyyyy

      How did things pan out for your bother? I’d not be suprised if he was convicted of a 10 year prison term . . .

    • https://www.facebook.com/jimjljensen Jim Jensen

      It is a known fact that our police are NOT our protectors. Calling 911 because your life is threatened will surely result in your death as the response time will never be fast enough. I have an Oregon conceal permit but will never take my loaded concealed weapon into California as California has it’s head up it’s arse when it comes to recognizing and accepting other states conceal carry permits.
      I hope your brother escaped a harsh and undeserving punishment.

    • just a dude

      California law allows you to carry a firearm in a locked container as long as you don’t have rounds or a loaded mag inside the pistol. You are allowed to have a loaded mag in the container with the pistol. He needs to get a defense attorney to fight the charge as it sounds bogus based on the fact pattern you described. If the zipper case was unlocked then he may be in trouble.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1225482302 Dan Ryant

        Wrong! Penal code and vehicle codes are both clear on this. Must be in a separate locked container. Case law has gone so far as to say a loaded gun includes any part of the gun, including the magazine. Meaning, you “could” feasibly be charged with a loaded weapon enev if your mag is separated from the gun but you have ammo in the mag. Welcome to sunny Kalifornia

        • http://www.facebook.com/jpreilley Jay Reilley

          You are correct. Separate containers as defined by California law. To tired to find the penal code.

  • https://www.facebook.com/jimjljensen Jim Jensen

    I called the sheriff’s office in San Jose in the early 90′s to obtain a conceal carry permit application. I was told on the phone they no longer issued concealed carry permits. That was a canned reply to my request. I persisted and about a week later I received the application. It was approximately 10 full pages front and back. A physical examination was required as was a mental health evaluation. The fees at the time were exorbitant and included a large sum that if the application was denied, for any reason, would not be refunded. Total fees were close to $500.00. There are many ways to say ‘NO’ if they don’t want you to have the permit. Rediculous fees are one way. Making you jump through many troublesome hoops is another.

    In Oregon the application is one page of instruction and a half page of required information. Finger printing and back ground check is required as is a one day class on hand gun proficiency. Total fees approx. $75 for a 5 year permit. Contrary to anti-gun advocates we do not have shoot outs in the streets. An armed society is a polite society.
    Chicago and Washing DC have the toughest gun laws in the country. They also have the highest murder rates.

  • MJ Badagliacco

    All of these so called “LAWS” are ALL BS!!! The 2nd Amendment says that I have the RIGHT to keep and BEAR arms and that RIGHT SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!!!

    Additionally, the SCOTUS has ruled that, …concerning fundamental RIGHTS, a law cannot convert that RIGHT into a privilege… When you require a PERMIT, you just made it a “privilege”…

    Can SOMEONE tell me how ANY concealed carry “law” is allowed to stay on the book???

    • http://www.facebook.com/eric.casey.98892 Eric Casey

      Cuz our entire government consists of the dumbest people on earth! One law for ALL states…and that law should be based on the second amendment, not what some douche bag politician thinks/wants

    • retired_sandman

      Well, now you’re talking US Constitution. In Illinois, for example, an individual was arrested for using a gun to defend his home against a home invasion. The perp stole the homeowners car keys to drive himself to the hospital and the homeowner went to the pokey.

      Subsequently, there was an attempt in the state legislature to pass a law protecting a homeowner defending his home in this fashion. In the senate, I do believe the only lawmaker to vote against it was one young senator barack obama.

      Be very careful asserting a constitutional claim. The states infringe on it in any variety of ways. Sounds like they do so in CA.

      • http://www.facebook.com/jpreilley Jay Reilley

        Law enforcement is taught to scrutinize those who speak of the Constitution.

        If ever encountered by the executive branch of government, it is in your best interest to say as little as possible. And I mean just your name and name only, validated by giving them your ID.

        It will probably ruin your life, but you won’t be in jail.

        Tough call. Talking and going to jail for a while, and not talking, and hopefully, only going to jail for a little while. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

    • Lorin Partain

      I suppose the argument could be made that there is no right to conceal, therefore a permit. However since some states, including CA now thanks to Jerry Brown, have banned open carry the concealed becomes the only other way to bear a weapon making it the de facto right. To be consistent, I know were talking about politicians here, but to be consistent the states should be constitutionally prohibited from disallowing open carry if they are going to permit concealed carry.

  • Effx

    I agree with one of the recent comments read, “Cuz our entire government consists of the dumbest people on earth! One law for ALL states…and that law should be based on the second amendment, not what some douche bag politician thinks/wants…” Really make complete sense.

  • lmortimeyer

    If you have a current CA CWP, and move to NV and also obtain one there, can you still legally carry in CA, even though you have moved?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1225482302 Dan Ryant

      For thirty days. After that, no.