[CalCCW03]

After moving to the US from Europe in 1995 I set my goals on becoming a permanent resident first, a U.S. Citizen second and a ccw holder third. Things got screwed up a bit and I became a ccw holder (Utah first, Ca second) before becoming a U.S. Citizen.
I took FTA's ccw class in I believe 2001 after receiving my Utah permit. My firearms background is Olympic Style slow fire handgun, which I competed in many moons ago. I realized that I lacked the skills to carry a concealed weapon not to mention the skills to survive a serious confrontation and decided to get some help. FTA was recommended by the OCSD Crime Prevention Specialist in my city.
During the first day of the ccw class Bill Murphy of FTA gave some examples of what good cause can be in the eyes of OCSD. I believed I fit into one of the categories he mentioned and liked everything I heard form Bill that day (8 hours classroom). I also liked everything he tought on day 2 (8 hours range time, 450 rounds).
Fear of denial had me sit on my Ca ccw application for 2 years. I collected training certs for the various classes I took with FTA and eventually ran into a guy, who pushed me to apply. He wrote me a nice reference letter as did two of my old time buddies.
I submitted my application and got interviewd by Lady T. I stated my good cause and in the end added the fact that I transport firearms and ammunition on a regular basis. Something clicked when I said that and she scribbled down the term we are not supposed to use anymore.
Ten days later I had the 'approved for further processing' package in the mail and followed the instruction stated in the attachment. The 90 days from live scan to issuing date felt like a year. When I picked up my license I drove up to PSD with my 1911 unloaded and locked in the trunk. After I picked up the rice paper I put on my belt and gun in the car and called my friend to say 'thank you'. I wish I could have called the Sheriff, too. Maybe some other day....
God Bless America and thank you Sheriff Carona for keeping things real in The OC.