Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW)

Gun Safety Training

On September 26, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown approved Assembly Bill Number 2103 that goes into effect on January 1, 2019. This bill requires Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) courses of training be at least eight hours but not be required to exceed 16 hours. Assembly bill 2103 also requires the CCW course of training to include instruction on firearm handling, shooting technique, and to include a demonstration, by the applicant, of shooting proficiency and safe handling of each firearm the applicant will be licensed to carry. The training will include live-fire exercises conducted on a firing range. A licensing authority shall establish, and make available to the public, the standards it uses when issuing licenses with regards to the required live-fire shooting exercises, including, but not limited to, a minimum number of rounds to be fired and minimum passing scores from specified firing distances.

On September 26, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom approved Senate Bill 2. SB2 went into effect on January 1st, 2024. This bill requires Initial training to be a minimum of 16 hours and Renewal training to be a minimum of eight hours. SB2 also amended the following Penal Codes: PC 171b, PC 171d, PC 171.5, PC 171.7, PC 626.9, PC 25610, PC 25850, PC 26150, PC 26155, PC 26165, PC 26170, PC 26175, PC 26185, PC 26190, PC 26195, PC 26200, PC 26205, PC 26210, PC 26220, PC 26225, PC 29805, and PC 30370. Senate Bill 2 will add Sections 25350, 26162, 26206, 26230 and 26235 along with 26202. Senate Bill 2 also states all firearms need to be registered to the applicant. A firearm registered to an applicant's spouse will no longer be allowed to be on a Concealed Carry Permit.

Minimum Qualifications for Training Course

The minimum qualification course for The Ridgecrest Police Department will be 12 rounds: 4 rounds at 5 yards, 2 rounds gun hand only then 2 rounds support hand only from 5 yards, and 4 rounds at 7 yards. The passing score is 75% which equals missing 3 rounds outside the bottle outline on a standard FBI-Q target or its equivalent. Vendors course of fire might be different but will include the minimum standard requirements.

Starting January 1, 2019 all applications or changes will need to show proof of qualification, for each gun listed on the permit, before your permit can be approved.

Regulations

Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Citizens must check with the jurisdiction where the firearm is to be used.

Background Checks

In California, the Sheriff/Chief of Police and his staff are required to follow strict state and local guidelines when performing the necessary background checks for issuing Concealed Carry Weapon licenses. Due to the detailed nature involved with conducting these background checks, appointment times and processing times can take multiple weeks.