Concealed in California

dasmi · January 18, 2005, 05:54 PM

Hey all,
I live in San Diego, California. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with concealed carrying in my state, possibly in my county. I'd love to hear if anyone had trouble getting a permit, etc.

Dave

michael t · January 19, 2005, 12:36 AM

From what I read about CA. seems you have a better chance of being hit by lightning than getting a CCW permit. But I guess you could always try.

BillCA · January 19, 2005, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasmi

Hey all,
I live in San Diego, California. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with concealed carrying in my state, possibly in my county. I'd love to hear if anyone had trouble getting a permit, etc.

Hoo-boy! This is a big can o' worms in CA. Where do I start?

First, I suggest you visit http://www.thehighroad.com and do a search for all threads started by Jim March. Jim has been very active in trying to get CCW reform off the ground in CA.

If you have had trouble getting a permit (or even the application forms) I know Jim would like to hear about it. He's collecting people's experiences for his legal challenges.

Essentially the CA permit process works like this;
1. California law allows police chiefs and Sherrifs (CLEOs) to issue permits.
2. Law requires you to be "of good moral character" and have "good cause".
3. The CA law is permissive - it says the CLEO may issue you the permit, but he doesn't have to issue you a permit.

It seems that some CLEOs refuse to issue any permits at all. Zero. Nil, Nada.
Others will issue permits but hide the details of who's getting them. Why? Would it surprise you that big time campaign contributors and close friends & aides get them?

Some CLEOs resort to "red-lining" areas so if you are from "the wrong side of town" you can forget even having a chance to get one. Others simply tell you that your "good cause" doesn't rise to the necessary level (and if a woman with 2 kids threatened by a stalking, ex-felon ex-husband who previously hosptalized her doesn't qualify, then there is no fairness in the system).

If you're a celebrity, politically connected, a big campaign contributor or own a high profile big business in the jurisdiction then you'll probably not have much trouble. You're a 35 year old ex-Marine small arms instructor and former Camp Perry champion who's neighborhood has had 9 drive-by shootings in the last two weeks? Sorry, sir. Your "good cause" isn't sufficient.

Seek out Jim March on The High Road and read his posts. They're both amusing and infuriating (at the elitism). If you can help, I'm sure Jim can find something for you to do.

dasmi · January 19, 2005, 04:55 PM

Arg. I've been doing some reading, and it seems that if I'm not a rich campaign contributor, or someone important's biotch, I'm screwed.

tube_ee · January 19, 2005, 06:07 PM

All of those who dislike California's draconian gun-control laws, and who live here, do have another option...

We have probably the most liberal (small "l") direct-democracy laws in the country. You can get just about anything on the ballot here. All it takes is money. There are signature-gathering companies who will guarantee that your proposition will get on the ballot, or you don't have to pay for it. Whether or not contracting democracy out to for-profit companies is a good idea is a whole other rant, but that's the system we have here, we may as well try to use it.

Why isn't the NRA, or any number of wealthy organizations, using this syhstem to change the laws in this state? While there are probably none of us here that are wealthy or well-connected enough to start the ball rolling on this, there's gotta be someone out there who is. I've lived here all of my life, except when Uncle Sam had other ideas, and I've NEVER heard of a CCW ballot proposition even being proposed here. Why not?

Where do I sign up?

--Shannon
gun-ownin', critter-shootin', rabid leftie

TimRB · January 19, 2005, 06:58 PM

Shannon, I like your style! I suspect that the reason we don't see more direct proposition measures regarding gun control is that the lobbying organizations have found it more expedient to keep gun control out of the public eye. That's sheer speculation on my part, but it may be the political reality.

In the meantime, please be sure to join the California Rifle and Pistol Association:

http://www.crpa.org/

Tim

tube_ee · January 19, 2005, 07:10 PM

I think, rather, that it's more likely that they prefer to keep it IN the public eye. If you actually come up with and implement a solution that most people can live with, you no longer have an issue to run on. Imagine the number of consultants and lobbyists (on both sides) that would have to start looking for honest work, like maybe "street-corner prostitute", if the gun issue were actually put to rest.

It's much more profitable to keep the "They're trying to take your guns away!!!" / "They want to give machine guns to third graders!!!" non-debate going. One can easily draw similar parallels to the abortion "debate".

Like most "culture war issues", gun control only continues to serve the interests of the powerful as long as it is only talked about, and never solved.

As always, Follow the Money.

--Shannon

38splfan · January 19, 2005, 11:40 PM

Just keep rocks in your pocket, and put your slingshot in a locked aluminum airline-approved case in the truck of your car, enclosed in a fireproof safe.
Ensure that you have been shot at least twice before resorting to the slingshot, so you can get off with manslaughter and not murder.

Guy B. Meredith · January 20, 2005, 12:16 AM

Actually the possibility of getting a CCW depends on where you live. SF area is just about as described, but other (usually inland) counties are okay. One THR member just got a CCW in Orange County just north of you, but would have to go back to the thread to find out the particulars.

Guy B. Meredith · January 20, 2005, 12:27 AM

Here you go:

stealthmode:

im in oc also

what did you put for the reason you wanted to carry?

a friends co worker just got his also and his reason was that he goes shooting twice a week and that was good enought for teh sheriff. i am now saving my receipts to try to get mine.

marklbucla:

Stealthmode, I used that same reason: That I am an "avid shooter" and go to the range 1-2 times a week, often at night, and a transport several firearms. I've been a member at the Firing Line ranges for the last three years.

CAPTAIN MIKE:

SAN DIEGO & ORANGE COUNTIES ARE REASONABLE
I believe that you'll find both the San Diego County sheriff's department and the Orange County sheriff's office are pretty reasonable about CCW.

gonzo1510 · January 20, 2005, 04:05 AM

First, I suggest you visit http://www.thehighroad.com and do a search for all threads started by Jim March. Jim has been very active in trying to get CCW reform off the ground in CA.

Umm, you guys might want to try the highroad.org not .com ... that wil send you to some advertising website.

by the way, I am new to this site... I like it.

January 18, 2005, 05:54 PM	#1
dasmi Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 881	Concealed in California Hey all, I live in San Diego, California. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with concealed carrying in my state, possibly in my county. I'd love to hear if anyone had trouble getting a permit, etc. Dave

January 19, 2005, 12:36 AM	#2
michael t Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 3,358	From what I read about CA. seems you have a better chance of being hit by lightning than getting a CCW permit. But I guess you could always try. __________________ Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB, PPK/S, American Classic, Bersa Thunder 380 http://bersachat.comHome of Bersa American Classic new home www.americanclassic1911forum.com

January 19, 2005, 06:07 PM	#5
tube_ee Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Posts: 492	So let's get it fixed, already... All of those who dislike California's draconian gun-control laws, and who live here, do have another option... We have probably the most liberal (small "l") direct-democracy laws in the country. You can get just about anything on the ballot here. All it takes is money. There are signature-gathering companies who will guarantee that your proposition will get on the ballot, or you don't have to pay for it. Whether or not contracting democracy out to for-profit companies is a good idea is a whole other rant, but that's the system we have here, we may as well try to use it. Why isn't the NRA, or any number of wealthy organizations, using this syhstem to change the laws in this state? While there are probably none of us here that are wealthy or well-connected enough to start the ball rolling on this, there's gotta be someone out there who is. I've lived here all of my life, except when Uncle Sam had other ideas, and I've NEVER heard of a CCW ballot proposition even being proposed here. Why not? Where do I sign up? --Shannon gun-ownin', critter-shootin', rabid leftie

January 19, 2005, 11:40 PM	#8
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Carry in CA? Just keep rocks in your pocket, and put your slingshot in a locked aluminum airline-approved case in the truck of your car, enclosed in a fireproof safe. Ensure that you have been shot at least twice before resorting to the slingshot, so you can get off with manslaughter and not murder. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

January 20, 2005, 04:05 AM	#11
gonzo1510 Junior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1	check that link.... First, I suggest you visit http://www.thehighroad.com and do a search for all threads started by Jim March. Jim has been very active in trying to get CCW reform off the ground in CA. Umm, you guys might want to try the highroad.org not .com ... that wil send you to some advertising website. by the way, I am new to this site... I like it.

January 19, 2005, 04:55 PM	#4
dasmi Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 881	Arg. I've been doing some reading, and it seems that if I'm not a rich campaign contributor, or someone important's biotch, I'm screwed.

January 19, 2005, 06:58 PM	#6
TimRB Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 1,028	Shannon, I like your style! I suspect that the reason we don't see more direct proposition measures regarding gun control is that the lobbying organizations have found it more expedient to keep gun control out of the public eye. That's sheer speculation on my part, but it may be the political reality. In the meantime, please be sure to join the California Rifle and Pistol Association: http://www.crpa.org/ Tim

January 19, 2005, 07:10 PM	#7
tube_ee Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Posts: 492	I think, rather, that it's more likely that they prefer to keep it IN the public eye. If you actually come up with and implement a solution that most people can live with, you no longer have an issue to run on. Imagine the number of consultants and lobbyists (on both sides) that would have to start looking for honest work, like maybe "street-corner prostitute", if the gun issue were actually put to rest. It's much more profitable to keep the "They're trying to take your guns away!!!" / "They want to give machine guns to third graders!!!" non-debate going. One can easily draw similar parallels to the abortion "debate". Like most "culture war issues", gun control only continues to serve the interests of the powerful as long as it is only talked about, and never solved. As always, Follow the Money. --Shannon

January 20, 2005, 12:16 AM	#9
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,574	Actually the possibility of getting a CCW depends on where you live. SF area is just about as described, but other (usually inland) counties are okay. One THR member just got a CCW in Orange County just north of you, but would have to go back to the thread to find out the particulars.

January 20, 2005, 12:27 AM	#10
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,574	Here you go: stealthmode: im in oc also what did you put for the reason you wanted to carry? a friends co worker just got his also and his reason was that he goes shooting twice a week and that was good enought for teh sheriff. i am now saving my receipts to try to get mine. marklbucla: Stealthmode, I used that same reason: That I am an "avid shooter" and go to the range 1-2 times a week, often at night, and a transport several firearms. I've been a member at the Firing Line ranges for the last three years. CAPTAIN MIKE: SAN DIEGO & ORANGE COUNTIES ARE REASONABLE I believe that you'll find both the San Diego County sheriff's department and the Orange County sheriff's office are pretty reasonable about CCW.