Applying for a CCW License in Mono County

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I wrote about this experience on 5/16/06.

I recently applied for and recieved a CCW issued by the Town of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County. I have been in the area for 32 years and know and am known to most of the people involved with issue of the permit.

The requirements for the county and town are similiar. The Standard Application for CCW license from the state is used by town.

Requirements are as follows:

1 You must be a registered voter of the County of Mono, and your legal residence must be located within the jurisdiction of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department. (Voter registration may be waived for cause by the Chief of Police.)

2 There must be positive proof that the person applying has a genuine need for the issuance of the license and that the applicant is of good moral character.

3 There must be proof that you are not disqualified under PC 12021 or 12021.5 which states that aliens, narcotic addicts, convicted felons, and minors are prohibited from possessing concealable firearms.

4 The permit, if issued, may be subject to reasonable limitations and restrictions, and will be valid only if used in compliance with noted limitations and restrictions. In no case will the permit be valid outside the state of California.

Instructions to the applicant include:

Fully complete the application.

3 letters of character reference (noting you are applying for a CCW).

Present empty weapons for inspection if approved and demonstrate proficiency and knowledge of use of firearms in the presence of a Mammoth Lakes peace officer at some time during the year. (Qualifying is required annually in both the county and town)

Permit issuance:

1 Satisfactory completion of all steps.

2 Fee has been paid ($200 through Town)

3 Processing (State and Department requirements)

4 Limitations typed on permit (none that I have heard of)

5 Review of fingerprint record, if any

6 File instituted


The following is my experience:

I live in Mammoth Lakes, the largest community in Mono County. Mammoth is incorporated, Town of Mammoth Lakes, and has it's own police dept.
I went to the sheriffs office and got an application and filled it out, called and asked when might be an appropiate time to schedule an interview. I was forwarded to Sheriff Dan Paranick and after speaking with him he asked me to apply in the Town of Mammoth Lakes with Chief Mike Donnally and give him the first right of refusal (the sheriff said he would issue if I was refused by the chief but qualified with all of the requirements). I called and then went to the local police station and spoke with the dispatcher and was given a new application (standard state of Ca. app.) to fill out. I returned that application later that afternoon (Monday 2/13/06) and waited for a call to interview.

Along with my application I submitted copies of my 4 non-res permits. A copy of my California Assault Weapons Registration form. My California DOJ printout. My FBI printout. A list of afilliations, NRA, CRPA, etc. Three letters of reference as required locally. I did all of this so there would be no 'surprises" from my past.

I had completed my training a couple of months previous.

I applied to the sheriff first for 2 primary reasons, besides the sheriff is the primary licensing authority in the county.

1 I felt I had a better chance with the sheriff (his policy appeared to be more open to issue than the chief's) and did not want a denial.

2 The county will allow 3 firearms on a permit where as town will allow only 2 firearms on a permit. You must qualify with each firearm you intend to list on your permit.

On Monday 2/27/06 I received a call from the Watch Commander to set-up an interview. We completed the interview that afternoon. It was relativily informal (I have known the watch commander for 25-30 years) and we just ran down the application. He asked about my DOJ and FBI past and I explained wrong place, time and people. He said he would forward my application to the Chief.

On the morning of Wednesday 3/8/06 I recieved a call while skiing from the dispatcher and she asked why I hadn't cime in for prints. I explained that I was waiting to hear from the Chief for my interview. She said Chief Donnally had put my application on her desk and I could come in for prints and payment. I went in that afternoon and submitted electronic prints and checks for $200. $100 for DOJ and $100 for Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Now the wait for backround which she said would be quick, but my biggest problem would be qualifying which usually occurs in October (the local training class is usually scheduled in Oct.). She indicated that there was a new officer that was going to qualify soon and I spoke with the Range officer. I was able to make an appointment to meet and qualify at the same time our new officer did. That was on Monday 3/13/06, and all was good. Due to time constraints I qualified with the officers back-up firearm test @ 50 rounds fired in groups of 5 shots, timed, at various ranges from 3 to 10 yards, with motion on many of the positions. The regular CCW qualifier is 36 rounds I believe.

On Wednesday 3/29/06 I recieved a call to pick up my permit. 45 days from start to finish (not counting training).

Overall a straight forward process and much less formal and intimidating than I had anticipated. Something I should have done long ago, but didn't because of fear of a denial.

After my experience I would encourage all who have a desire to carry to put your desire into action and obtain your permit. Even if you have a colorful past you should apply if there are no disqualifiers in your backround. I have carried in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Alaska on my non-resident permits for 3 years now and it is soooo nice not to have to disarm when crossing the border, and to re-arm after arriving by air into my home state.



Mono County (The following is taken from PDO website)

Date updated: 2/28/2006

CA DOJ records indicate there are 76 permits in this county as of 2004. County pop. as of 7/1/2000 = 12,926


The following is a response from the County Sheriff to a letter from an applicant:

Mr. (name omitted).

I apoligize for not receiving your e-mail until today. Your answer to our policy is very much the same as most rural counties in California. We follow the state guidlines in the issuance of CCW permits. I do issue permits for personal protection and if the applicant passes the mandatory training and criminal backround. I usually issue the permit. Since we are a small county, I usually know, or know of the applicant and I may ask my resident deputies in the various communities if they know of the individual seeking a permit. We however don't have a lot of people requesting applications and actually have had a decrease in renewals because of the training requirements.

Daniel A Paranick
Sheriff-Coroner
County of Mono



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YMMV

9/05/07 UPDATE:

We have both a new Sheriff and Chief.

Sheriff Rick Scholl was elected and took office in November of 2006. He has indicated that he would carry on his predessors policy of CCW issue.

Chief Randy Schienle has been appointed to replace Chief Mike Donnally who retired shortly after signing my permit in the spring of 2006.

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