County Rankings

[jakemccoy]

The County Rankings in FAQ is based on total number issued from each county. Would it be better to rank based on permits issued per total population of that county? I ask this because, for example, the permit percentage of Orange County is very low (less than 0.1% of about 3 million people). In contrast, the permit percentage of Napa County is relatively high (about 0.4% of about 128,000 people). Napa is not ranked. Word on the street is that Orange County is favorable, but is it really?

(My stats may not be totally up to date, but they're not too far off.)

[PanaDP]

That would sort-of be helpful. Certainly an interesting statistic.

I would rather see how many permits are granted compared to the number of people who apply for permits. That would give you real odds of success in obtaining a permit if you try. The majority of people do not apply and therefore can't be counted as a "denial" like what you suggest would effectively do.

[Harry Carry]

In OC the numbers are fluid to the upside. The most recent inside numbers show that the number of CCWs has more than doubled in two years.

[Glock32]

Originally Posted by jakemccoy

The County Rankings in FAQ is based on total number issued from each county. Would it be better to rank based on permits issued per total population of that county? I ask this because, for example, the permit percentage of Orange County is very low (less than 0.1% of about 3 million people). In contrast, the permit percentage of Napa County is relatively high (about 0.4% of about 128,000 people). Napa is not ranked. Word on the street is that Orange County is favorable, but is it really?

(My stats may not be totally up to date, but they're not too far off.)

I think OC really is.
Out of seven or eight people that have told me over the past 12 months that they really want a ccw not one has actually applied. I think there is a fairly high percentage who want a permit (let's call it 5% of the population). Fact is it's like with most things in life: You need to really want it and you have to work for it. I believe the 'working for it' part is what keeps the numbers low. Just my 2c.

[Poogsdad]

I agree with PanaDP that ranking based upon total CCW Permits issued vrs. total CCW Permits applied for would give a better indicator of the likelihood of getting a CCW if you are willing to engage in and complete the application process.

As Glock32 indicated there are quite a few people in all counties that desire a CCW but do not, for whatever reason, initiate or complete the application process.

I am personally aquainted with a good number of people who have expressed an interest in obtaining a CCW in Humboldt County. Because of their previous or present occupations and the large percentage of actual or potential negative interactions with violent, uncooperative, or drug/alcohol impaired subjects they routinely face as a result, they are, in my opinion, members of a subset of people that face a much higher than average likelihood of being targeted for violence, in spite of their active attempts to aviod such interactions.

Of those that have initiated and completed the application process based upon my recommendation, all have recieved a CCW Permit. Unfortunately, they represent a rather small percentage of the total number. For whatever reason, the majority never complete the application process, though they may start it.

Humboldt County is considered to be one of the more CCW friendly counties in California. Our current Sheriff is no pushover and will not issue a CCW permit just because he can. He does not, however, require you to jump through many of the "Hoops" or pay the exorbidant fees that many other counties seem to force upon their CCW applicants.

If you are able to complete a reasonable training program and demonstrate safe weapons handling skills, pass a federal and state criminal background check, and demonstrate that you are a mature, stable, level-headed adult while articulating a reasonable good cause in an oral interview, you will be issued a CCW Permit in Humboldt County.

Unfortunately, there are quite a large number of people here that "Talk the Talk" but do not "Walk the Walk" regarding CCW. If they would get off their butts and finish the application process, the issuance rate in Humboldt County would increase significantly.

I suspect that my comments above are not unique to Humboldt County and are applicable to most other counties in California.

To quote Glock32 "Fact is it's like with most things in life: You need to really want it and you have to work for it. I believe the 'working for it' part is what keeps the numbers low".

I try to do my part to foster CCW issuance in Humboldt County because I believe that it would be beneficial to helping the entire State of California. Unfortunately I have not been as successful as I would like and I do get somewhat frustrated at times. Please forgive me if my frustration has come through more than it should in this post.

Thanks,

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by PanaDP

I would rather see how many permits are granted compared to the number of people who apply for permits. That would give you real odds of success in obtaining a permit if you try.

This statistic would also foster more hope and confidence to future applicants if they see, for example, that 100 people applied and 93 were approved.

As for "talking the talk" . . . there is a general image of CCW holders as being a somewhat special club. Which IMO it is. Every CCW holder had to prove to the satisfaction of the Issuing Agency that they could be trusted to carry a loaded firearm in public. As a friend of mine once told me, having a CCW should mean that you are one of the good guys, a law abiding citizen and someone with the temperment and determination to make the proper judgement at the proper time.

[CCWInstructor]

"Because of their previous or present occupations and the large percentage of actual or potential negative interactions with violent, uncooperative, or drug/alcohol impaired subjects they routinely face as a result, they are, in my opinion, members of a subset of people that face a much higher than average likelihood of being targeted for violence, in spite of their active attempts to aviod such interactions."

Sounds like the Plaza in Arcata.

[Poogsdad]

CCWI you are absolutely right!!!

The plaza in Arcata is is one place I and most people I associate with try to avoid, even the ones that live in Arcata.

Thanks,

[Putan]

<><> Didn't there used to
be a gun store on the Plaza...

I couldn't believe it the first
time I went there,,, I ended
up buying a half a case of
.45 that was on sale... Used
to shoot IDPA at the Simpson
Range,,, To bad that was dis-
continued...

Wasn't it in the sporting goods
store whose name escapes me
at this time...

I think they moved to Pro-Sports
on the east side of 101...

Sorry,,, didn't mean to hijack the
thread...

=============================

<><> Putan <><>

[jakemccoy]

Originally Posted by hygyliac

This statistic would also foster more hope and confidence to future applicants if they see, for example, that 100 people applied and 93 were approved.

As for "talking the talk" . . . there is a general image of CCW holders as being a somewhat special club. Which IMO it is. Every CCW holder had to prove to the satisfaction of the Issuing Agency that they could be trusted to carry a loaded firearm in public. As a friend of mine once told me, having a CCW should mean that you are one of the good guys, a law abiding citizen and someone with the temperment and determination to make the proper judgement at the proper time.

...or a celebrity, or a major campaign contributor, or lucky to live in the right county...

[newshooterinca]

Originally Posted by PanaDP

I would rather see how many permits are granted compared to the number of people who apply for permits. That would give you real odds of success in obtaining a permit if you try. The majority of people do not apply and therefore can't be counted as a "denial" like what you suggest would effectively do.

Of the people I've discussed CCW with, 100% have been under the belief that there is no such thing as CCW in CA. I think the numbers would be astonishingly higher if people just knew you could actually get one if you qualify.

I don't understand people who want a permit but don't follow through; I did my application as soon as I hit 90 days residency in CA. (Actually a bit earlier than that but I got approved anyway.)

[ADIDAS]

There are a number of factors to consider of wheter a department is CCW friendly.

1. Many departments have websites, do they even list ccws on their website.

Not listing CCW contact information is potentially a bad sign.

2. If you inquiry by phone and you are discouraged from even applying. Of course we all have the right to submit an application, but if getting the application is a hassle, getting a permit is not a good sign.

3. If the department requires up front non refundable fees.

The above 3 items could easily discourage over 90 percent plus of people from even applying.

These denials won't show up in any records of course since there is no paper trail.

One has to look at the political make up of a county. Mendocino county has an issuance rate of just around 1 percent of the population, even though it is a very liberal county.

Even though Mendocino probably is one of the most pro ccw counties in the state, it's issuance numbers are not as high as some other counties.

Many sheriffs who will issue just aren't because people just aren't applying.
This is even when sheriffs say they will issue.

The best counties in the state have issuance rates of 2 to 3 percent of the general population.

The reality is the CCW permit in California is not cheap, for many it is a big expense. One could easily spend 500 dollars just getting a CCW permit.

The cost of getting a CCW permit probably actually discourages alot of people, even if they are available.

Perhaps this is something we need to look at more closer, and come up with our own standards to evaluate how available ccw permits really are.