Able to carry via job; want CCW

[Max Deployment]

I work for a federal agency (uniformed, gun, badge) with a 24-hour carry policy. The policy is fairly restrictive, allowing carry of duty weapon only, in an agency-approved holster--and the weapon can only be used in defense of my life or the life of another law enforcement officer.

I would like to apply for CCW* so that I have more leeway in what and how I carry, and whom I can defend (like, oh, my family). A friend of mine joined the OCSD Reserves, and told me that he had to apply and be approved for CCW so that he could carry off-duty. I'm thinking there's a relationship to my situation there, somehow.

If I am carrying "in policy" and am in an in-policy shooting, I have legal backup from the agency. If, however, I am out of policy (for example, I shoot to defend someone who is NOT a LEO) then I'm on my own. If I have CA CCW and get involved in a shooting, well, I'm still on my own--but at least I don't have to worry about the agency hanging me out to dry.

What I'd like is some help in drafting a good cause letter that addresses the "yes I can already carry but I want more leeway" issue. Thanks.


*I tried searching, but found nothing: Does anyone have an opinion (or facts) about what Sheriff Carona's indictment means for OC CCW apps?

[CCWInstructor]

First - Level III Reserves can not carry off duty they need a CCW. You can carry 24/7.

Second - The issuing CCW agency is going to require a letter from your department. If your department does not want to write you a letter, you just lost your good cause.

[El Gato]

I have contact with several Federal officers who have ccw's here in Kern County. They went to the local sheriff and explained their agency does not encourage off-duty carry and obtained the permit. I am not sure how Orange County is different and if ccwinstructor says you need a letter then that is likely gospel. The officers I have contact with are customs and IRS. Both are authorized on duty and have ccw's. I also have a friend who is a DMV cop and has the ccw to avoid hassles with his agency. Good cause usually involves something like: I deal with bad guys on duty...I need the ccw in case one of them comes looking for me off-duty...and here is a copy of my badge and id card....and a copy of our off-duty carry policy. Again, my experience is with Kern County and may/likely is different than Orange.

[CCWInstructor]

Your right, OC does require a letter from you agency.

[Bombard]

I submit that Max is carrying on his person a valuable piece of equipment worth many hundred of dollars, that is a known target for violent thieves.

He needs to carry a gun in order to protect.... the gun.

[RAD-G27]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

First - Level III Reserves can not carry off duty they need a CCW. You can carry 24/7.

Second - The issuing CCW agency is going to require a letter from your department. If your department does not want to write you a letter, you just lost your good cause.

I did not read this to be a level III Reservist, Federal, Uniformed, Gun and Badge. And he did say that he was able to carry 24/7, it just had to be department issue and in a department holster.

"I work for a federal agency (uniformed, gun, badge) with a 24-hour carry policy. The policy is fairly restrictive, allowing carry of duty weapon only, in an agency-approved holster--and the weapon can only be used in defense of my life or the life of another law enforcement officer.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by RAD-G27

I did not read this to be a level III Reservist, Federal, Uniformed, Gun and Badge. And he did say that he was able to carry 24/7, it just had to be department issue and in a department holster.

"I work for a federal agency (uniformed, gun, badge) with a 24-hour carry policy. The policy is fairly restrictive, allowing carry of duty weapon only, in an agency-approved holster--and the weapon can only be used in defense of my life or the life of another law enforcement officer.

CCWI was referring to this...

A friend of mine joined the OCSD Reserves, and told me that he had to apply and be approved for CCW so that he could carry off-duty. I'm thinking there's a relationship to my situation there, somehow.

Bottom line it sounds like he has GC. But he needs to get his department to sign off on it as his GC is department related.

[CCWInstructor]

Yes that is what my comment on Level III was about.

[Max Deployment]

OK, great. Totally confused now.

I will talk to our primary firearms instructor and get his read on it. If I'm fortunate, he'll be the guy to write a/the letter. I guess a call to OCSD wouldn't hurt, either.

If only I hadn't left Bakersfield...

Worst case, I'm no worse off than before. Thanks, all.


@El Gato: North High School football RULES!

[K-dog.v3]

in theory would an FBI agent need to obtain a CCW for off-duty or non official business in California ?

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by K-dog.v3

in theory would an FBI agent need to obtain a CCW for off-duty or non official business in California ?

Your comparing Apples and Oranges. ICE needs CCW to carry off hours, OCSD has several out.

[litespeed]

OK-the federal gov--did the back ground check on all this agents and determine that these guys were only good enough to carry their gun during the hours of 9-5 only---beyond those hours--all the trainings and all the money that we ( the tax payers) spent on the back grounds check, the training, the continue training and so on and so on----These agents are just zombie after 5---Is that what our fed , state govt think of their so call highly trained and skills agents. If they went out and earned the Fed badge-their gun is part of their badge. Matter of fact, they should have the serial number.

Some of you will be mad at me for saying this---That why 9/11 happened---Our govt's left hand and right hand are totally out of sync---and no !I AM not a US hater. I AM as American as you can be-- Red, White and Blue.

This whole thing is very funny.

[Max Deployment]

@K-9: I seriously doubt it. It's a federal position and there's HR 218.

I can only speak for myself and my agency. My credentials say I am authorized to "[bear] firearms," which is pretty general. In theory, I could carry whatever I want. Per agency policy, however, I am authorized only to carry my issued duty weapon, in an agency-approved holster, concealed, to be used only protect my life or the life of another LEO.

Pretty much what I said in the first line of my first post.

As long as I stay with this agency, and never have to make the choice whether to defend with my duty firearm someone who is not a LEO, then I suppose I can get along without a California CCW permit. But I prefer to not be so limited, and am willing to to take that responsibility.

That said, Mr. litespeed, the title of your post pretty much says it all.

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by Max Deployment

OK, great. Totally confused now.

I will talk to our primary firearms instructor and get his read on it. If I'm fortunate, he'll be the guy to write a/the letter. I guess a call to OCSD wouldn't hurt, either.

If only I hadn't left Bakersfield...

Worst case, I'm no worse off than before. Thanks, all.


@El Gato: North High School football RULES!

Rules Oildale....The South has never died...even if they haven't had a decent footsball team in 40 years....

[Bombard]

Originally Posted by Max Deployment

@El Gato: North High School football RULES!

When were you there? My wife graduated in 80, my sis-in-law teaches English there.