So How Do I Obtain A CCW?

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https://www.ocsheriff.gov/commands-divisions/professional-services-command/professional-standards/ccw-licensing

CCW License Requirements:

Authority

California Penal Code sections 26150, 26155, and 26170 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county, upon proof that the applicant meets the statutory qualifications, shall issue or renew a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license). Penal Code section 26175 requires the Attorney General to issue a statewide standard application form for CCW licenses.

Who Shall be Issued a CCW License

The licensing authority specified in Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 (a sheriff or the chief, or other head of a municipal police department, or one of the two if there is an agreement between the relevant authorities under subdivision (c)) shall issue a license to persons who 

(1) are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code section 26202; 

(2) are at least 21 years of age; 

(3) are residents of the county or a city within the county of the licensing authority, or have their principal place of employment or business in the county or a city within the county and spend a substantial amount of time in that place of employment or business; 

(4) have completed the required course of training, as described in Penal Code section 26165; and 

(5) are the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued. 

The licensing authority specified in Penal Code section 26170 (a sheriff or the chief, or other head of a municipal police department) shall issue a license to persons who 

(1) are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code section 26202; 

(2) are at least 21 years of age; 

(3) have been deputized or appointed as a peace officer pursuant to Penal Code section 830.6, subdivisions (a) or (b) by that sheriff or that chief of police or other head of a municipal police department; and 

(4) are the recorded owner, with the Department of Justice, of the pistol, revolver, or other firearm for which the license will be issued, or are authorized to carry a firearm that is registered to the agency for which the licensee has been deputized or appointed to serve as a peace officer. 

Every applicant for an initial CCW license will be fingerprinted and state and federal records will be checked to determine if the applicant is eligible to possess, receive, own, or purchase firearms under state and federal law. For informational purposes only, provided along with this application is a separate enclosure which lists categories that prohibit a person from possessing firearms and thus from being granted a CCW license. Because the enclosure is updated periodically to reflect new legislation and other changes in the law, the most recent version should be reviewed.

Disqualified Persons Who Cannot Receive or Renew a CCW License

Under Penal Code section 26202, unless a court makes a contrary determination pursuant to Penal Code section 26206, an applicant shall be deemed to be a disqualified person and cannot receive or renew a CCW license if the licensing authority determines that the applicant:

1. Is reasonably likely to be a danger to self, others, or the community at large;
2. Has been convicted of contempt of court under Penal Code section 166;
3. Has been subject to any restraining order, protective order, or other type of court order issued pursuant to the statutory provisions listed in Penal Code section 26202, subdivision (a)(3), unless that order expired or was vacated or otherwise canceled more than five years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application;
4. In the ten years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has been convicted of an offense listed in Penal Code sections 422.6, 422.7, 422.75, or 29805;
5. Has engaged in an unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm;
6. In ten years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has been charged with any offense listed in Penal Code sections 290, 667.5, 1192.7, 1192.8, or 29805 that was dismissed pursuant to a plea or dismissed with a waiver pursuant to People v. Harvey (1979) 25 Cal.3d 754;
7. In the five years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has been committed to or incarcerated in county jail or state prison for, or probation, parole, post release community supervision, or mandatory supervision as a result of, a conviction of an offense, an element of which involves controlled substances (as described in Health and Safety Code sections 11053 to 11058, inclusive) or alcohol;
8. Is currently abusing controlled substances (as described in Health and Safety Code sections 11053 to 11058, inclusive), or alcohol;
9. Within the ten years prior to the licensing authority receiving this completed application, has experienced the loss or theft of multiple firearms due to the applicant's lack of compliance with federal, state, or local law in storing, transporting, or securing the firearm; or
10. Failed to report a loss of a firearm as required by Penal Code section 25250 or any other state, federal, or local law requiring the reporting of the loss of a firearm.

Training Required

Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 specify that new license applicants must complete a course of training. The training may consist of any course acceptable to the licensing authority and no less than 16 hours in length that meets the minimum criteria set forth in Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a). Instead of a course described in Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a), the licensing authority may require a community college course, not to exceed 24 hours, certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. If the licensing authority requires the community college course, it must be uniformly required for all CCW license applicants.

For license renewal applicants, the course of training may be any course acceptable to the licensing authority that is no less than eight hours in length, and that otherwise meets the minimum criteria set forth in Penal Code section 26165, subdivision (a).

A licensing authority must establish and make available to the public the live-fire exercise requirements it uses (including the minimum number of rounds to be fired and minimum passing scores from specified firing distances) when issuing licenses. (Penal Code § 26165, subd. (b)

Psychological Testing

Under Penal Code section 26190, subdivision (e), licensing authorities may also require psychological assessment for each initial application. If required, the applicant shall be referred to a licensed psychologist acceptable to the licensing authority. The applicant may be charged for the actual cost of the assessment. An additional psychological assessment of an applicant seeking license renewal shall be required only if there is compelling evidence of a public safety concern to indicate that an assessment is necessary.

Completing the Application

Pursuant to Penal Code section 26160, each licensing authority, in addition to using the standard application form, is required to publish and make available a written policy summarizing the provisions of Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155.The application on the following pages sets forth standardized questions to be used by the CCW licensing authority to determine whether a CCW license shall be issued. The applicant must certify under penalty of perjury that all answers provided are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief. The applicant must also acknowledge that information disclosed in this application may be subject to the public disclosure. Pursuant to Penal Code section 26175, subdivision (c)(2), in lieu of residence or business address, an applicant who participates in the program described in Chapter 3.1 of Division 7 of Title I of the Government Code (allowing address confidentiality for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking) may provide the address designated to the applicant by the Secretary of State. Pursuant to Penal Code section 26175, subdivision (c)(3), in lieu of a residence address, an applicant who falls within the categories described in Penal Code section 26220, subdivision (c) (listing judicial officers) may provide a business address or an alternative mailing address, such as a Post Office Box. Answering all the questions on this standard application does not guarantee the issuance of a CCW license. Prior to issuing a CCW license, the licensing authority is required to determine whether the applicant meets all the statutory qualifications under Penal Code section 26202, subdivision (b), the licensing authority is also required to conduct an investigation to determine whether the applicant is a disqualified person and cannot receive or renew a CCW license. That investigation must, at a minimum, include a review of all information provided in this application, an in-person interview with the applicant, interviews with at least three character references, a review of publicly available information about the applicant, a review of information provided by the Department of Justice, and a review of information in the California Restraining and Protective Order System. Interviews of the applicant and character references are mandatory for initial license applications. The licensing authority may elect to require these interviews for renewal license applications. The licensing authority may engage in investigative efforts in addition to these minimum requirements.

CCW License Conditions and Restrictions

The licensee is responsible for all liability for, injury to, or death of any person, or damage to any property which may result through any act or omission of either the licensee or the licensing authority. In the event any claim, suit, or action is brought against the licensing authority, its chief officer or any of its employees, by reason of, or in connection with any such act or omission, the licensee shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the licensing authority, its chief officer or any of its employees from such claim, suit, or action.

The licensee authorizes the licensing authority to investigate, as they deem necessary, the licensee's record and character to ascertain any and all information which may concern their possible disqualifications to be issued a CCW license and release said issuing agency of any and all liability arising out of such investigation.

While exercising the privileges granted to the licensee under the terms of this license, the licensee shall not (pursuant to Penal Code section 26200), when carrying a concealable weapon as authorized by this license:

• Consume any alcoholic beverage, or controlled substance as described in Health and Safety Code sections 11053 to 11058, inclusive.
• Be in a place having a primary purpose of dispensing alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption.
• Be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, medication, or controlled substance as described in Health and Safety Code sections 11053 to 11058, inclusive.
• Carry a firearm not listed on the license or a firearm for which they are not the recorded owner (unless the licensee was issued a CCW under Penal Code section 26170 and has been authorized to carry a firearm that is registered to the agency for which the licensee has been deputized or appointed to serve as a peace officer).
• Falsely represent to a person that the licensee is a peace officer.
• Engage in unjustified display of a deadly weapon.
• Fail to carry the license on their person.
• Impede any peace officer in the performance of their activities.
• Refuse to display the license or provide the firearm to any peace officer upon demand for purposes of inspecting the firearm.
• Fail to comply with any reasonable restrictions or conditions the licensing authority imposes, including restrictions as to the time, place, manner, and circumstances under which a licensee may carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed on the person.
• Carry more than two firearms under the licensee's control at one time.
• Violate any federal, state, or local criminal law.

Title 49, section 46505 of the United States Code states that a license to carry a concealed weapon does not authorize a person to carry a firearm, tear gas, or any dangerous weapon aboard commercial airlines. Such violation can result in arrest by law enforcement.

Any violation of these restrictions or conditions may result in the CCW license being revoked, or may void any further use of the license until reinstated by the licensing authority.