“Contrary to popular belief, CCW permits are in fact issued within the State of California. The decision is made by appointed city law enforcement or elected county law enforcement. Cities generally defer the decision to the County Sheriff; therefore, the chance of issuance varies from county to county, and from elected Sheriff to elected Sheriff. Keep that in mind when you vote.”
Even though every county or city may use the standard California DOJ CCW Application, each county or city may differ in their registration fees, or require additional information. There may also be different standards to the safety and weapons training required before an application can be excepted.
Finding out what their application and requirements are for your particular county or city ahead of time, and having the paperwork completed and ready to turn in on your first visit can make a big difference in the amount of the time it takes to process your application. The entire process could take up to 6 months. Normally the process is started by picking up your application packet first.
If your deciding on a new pistol or revolver to purchase and carry, you can search the California State data banks for what handguns are allowed in this state here. For all California firearms information, look over the entire state firearms page here.
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Merced County required CCW classes can be taken through several local agencies
Gunrunner Gun Shop (no Website) Usually once a month and includes Live Fire Qualification at their indoor range. Call for date and times. 209-723-3006
CCW Merced Class and Live Fire Qualifications times and dates are posted HERE. For Live Fire Qualification questions: Emailor call him: 723-3733.
So where is my CA Permit or my other state permits honored?
It is up to each of us to know the laws of other states we enter that honor our California CCW Permit. But for a quick reference and the best updated website with CCW information is HandGunLaw.US.
Get Trained and Practice
If you currently own or plan to purchase a firearm for personal, home, or business defense/protection, for your own safety, and the safety of all others, it is imperative that you become familiar with, and proficient in, the proper operation and safe use of the firearm(s) you select.
Whatever your reason for purchasing or owning a firearm, without the ability to properly and safely use that firearm is a recipe for disaster! Proper training and practice to hone your shooting skills, plus the knowledge of the current laws pertaining to the use of firearms in your state/county is solely your responsibility as a firearm owner.
As an association that defends the Second Amendment to the constitution, we at Safety First Shooting Association urge you to seek out proper firearms training and defensive skills workshops.
Five Rules for CONCEALED Carry
1. Your concealed handgun is for protection of life only.
Draw it solely in preparation to protect yourself or an innocent third party from the wrongful and life-threatening criminal actions of another.
2.Know exactly when you can use your gun.
A criminal adversary must have, or reasonably appear to have:
I. the ability to inflict serious bodily injury (he is armed or reasonably appears to be armed with a deadly weapon),
II. the opportunity to inflict serious bodily harm (he is physically positioned to harm you with his weapon), and
III. his intent (hostile actions or words) indicates that he means to place you in jeopardy -- to do you serious or fatal physical harm.
When all three of these "attack potential" elements are in place simultaneously, then you are facing a reasonably perceived deadly threat that can justify an emergency deadly force response.
3.If you can run away -- RUN!
Just because you’re armed doesn’t necessarily mean you must confront a bad guy at gunpoint. Develop your "situation awareness" skills so you can be alert to detect and avoid trouble altogether. Keep in mind that if you successfully evade a potential confrontation, the single negative consequence involved might be your bruised ego, which should heal with mature rationalization. But if you force a confrontation you risk the possibility of you or a family member being killed or suffering lifelong crippling/disfiguring physical injury, criminal liability and/or financial ruin from civil lawsuit. Flee if you can, fight only as a last resort.
4.Display your gun, go to jail.
You should expect to be arrested by police at gunpoint, and be charged with a crime anytime your concealed handgun is seen by another citizen in public, regardless of how unintentional or innocent or justified the situation might seem. Choose a method of carry that keeps your gun reliably hidden from public view at all times.
You have no control over how a stranger will react to seeing (or learning about) your concealed handgun. He or she might become alarmed and report you to police as a "man or woman with a gun." Depending on his or her feelings about firearms, this person might be willing to maliciously embellish his or her story in attempt to have your gun seized by police or to get you arrested. An alarmed citizen who reports a "man with a gun" is going to be more credible to police than you when you're stopped because you match the suspect's description, and you're found to have a concealed handgun in your possession.
Before you deliberately expose your gun in public, ask yourself: "Is this worth going to jail for?" The only time this question should warrant a "yes" response is when an adversary has at least, bothability and intent, and is actively seeking the opportunity to do you great harm.
5.Don't let your emotions get the best of you.
If, despite your best efforts to the contrary, you do get into some kind of heated dispute with another person while you’re armed, never mention, imply or exhibit your gun for the purpose of intimidation or one-upmanship. You’ll simply make a bad situation worse -- for yourself (see rule #4).
