Can I even Get a CA CCW?

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by INTEL

Is it mandatory? And are there any waivers for military or cops who deal with guns of all calibers?

Yes the CCW classes are mandatory. Sworn Peace Officers do not need to apply for a CCW, but retired ones do. Remember that not all law enforcement personnel are automatically qualified to CCW off duty.
Having been in the military even a combat MOS does not excempt you either. I do remember some latitude given in the military, but that was in uniform and on official business.

[X-ffdo]

I believe most classes will stress when it is legal to shoot in this state, and a range qual. session, as prove of your weapon handling capability, usually a very fair situation.
This may vary per county, as sheriff's requirement may vary somewhat.

[NiteQwill]

Originally Posted by hygyliac

I do remember some latitude given in the military, but that was in uniform and on official business.

Can you (or anyone else) explain this part any further? Just wondering.

I have several 'weak' GC's to apply for a CCW here in OC but I am in the military with access and carrying of sensitive information at times.

Cheers!

[X-ffdo]

If you carry SSI as part of your work, will that make you more vulnerable/supceptible to an attack?. As per your OPSEC, I assume (Bad word, never assume anything!) that your info is carried in such a manner that it is not readilly available and that it is "sanitized". Probably it will be transported in a low key way as not to be apparent, such as the case for jewelry, money etc......If pressed, will the firm you work for be willing to produce a letter.
They might ask that, depending where you are located (situational) and how much that sheriff office might want to dig. I suspect they will not ask for such a letter........ just a what if, I am not creating imaginary obstacles, but plausible answers.
So start thinking along those lines. Some sheriff's office will treat you as one of their own, others will try to stop you. It all depends. What is sad is, we are all fighting for the same side.
Good luck. We are here pushing for you! Any further thoughts, keep them coming.

[NiteQwill]

Originally Posted by X-ffdo

If you carry SSI as part of your work, will that make you more vulnerable/supceptible to an attack?. As per your OPSEC, I assume (Bad word, never assume anything!) that your info is carried in such a manner that it is not readilly available and that it is "sanitized". Probably it will be transported in a low key way as not to be apparent, such as the case for jewelry, money etc......If pressed, will the firm you work for be willing to produce a letter.
They might ask that, depending where you are located (situational) and how much that sheriff office might want to dig. I suspect they will not ask for such a letter........ just a what if, I am not creating imaginary obstacles, but plausible answers.
So start thinking along those lines. Some sheriff's office will treat you as one of their own, others will try to stop you. It all depends. What is sad is, we are all fighting for the same side.
Good luck. We are here pushing for you! Any further thoughts, keep them coming.

Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it.

Upon further thinking, I will probably just have to wait until I have a better, concise GC to apply for the OC CCW. Only the future can tell...

[Poogsdad]

Originally Posted by NiteQwill

Can you (or anyone else) explain this part any further? Just wondering.

I have several 'weak' GC's to apply for a CCW here in OC but I am in the military with access and carrying of sensitive information at times.

Cheers!

Generally speaking, military personnel when off post and out of uniform, are no different than any other resident.

However, some approving authorities may have some exemptions for active duty military personnel.

For example a federal and or state background check may be waived because active duty military personnel are federal employees and subject to periodic federal background investigations that are quite a bit more intrusive than anything a State or Local approval authority may require.

Training requirements or testing regarding safe weapons handling may also be waived for active duty or retired military personnel. Here in California, for example, I believe active, reserve, or honorably retired military personnel are exempt from the requirement to have a Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) to purchase a Handgun. (CCWI or anyone else with a FFL please feel free to jump in and correct me here if I am incorrect).

Some military personnel, such as Military Police, Corrections Officers, CID Investigators, and Special Operations personnel regularly carry weapons off-post during the course of their normal duties. State or local approval authorities may recognize this and waive the requirements for a CCW under these circumstances.

Please remember, however, that the quality of the relationship shared between the local military organizations and the local approval authorities will play a large part in any waivers or exemptions afforded military personnel. Whether the State is "Shall Issue" or "Discretionary Issue" will also play a part as well.

If waivers or exemptions are afforded active duty military personnel, it is quite likely that a Provost Marshal Endorsement will be required.

By way of disclaimer, the information provided above is based upon my own experiences while on active duty at Fort McClellan, AL and Fort Bragg, NC.

Both Alabama and North Carolina are "Shall Issue" states and are also very "Military Friendly". Unfortunately, California is neither of these.

Given world events of the last few years, however, and a renewed appreciation for military personnel here in California, I would not rule out the possibility that some counties may eventually afford some waivers or exemptions to miltary personnel regarding CCW.

Thanks,

[Bob barker]

I want to say thanks for all the great responses I've gotten, and I'm glad this thread has been helpful to other Marines as well, and hopefully continues to be in the future. I plan on applying for my Cal CCW, just as soon as I can get some intel on how the Sheriff I'll be applying to works, and get some GC's Nailed down. Also am wondering if Cal Residents are fighting to make California a Shall Issue state? It seems to me that when being this discretionary, and this different throughout the state, something out to be done. The process needs to be regulated and not left up to the whim of the sheriff, there should be set guidelines so that you can know if you even have a chance of getting the CCW before you apply. If the fight is going on to make California a shall issue state, then I'd like to know how I can become more active(if I can do much, not being a resident of Cal.) in the fight. It's our right as American Citizens to carry a weapon, and it shouldn't be left up to the whims of the Sheriff to reject the application and take away that right from us. Let me know, and keep on posting info about getting the CCW here for myself, and anyone else who may wonder. Thanks guys, you've been great.

[X-ffdo]

Once again Poogsdad is on target!.
If you go to the CA. DOJ site, you can see the list/codes for exemptions to the Calif. Handgun Safety Card (HSC), you use those when you DROS (Dealer Record Of Sale) a gun, during the process of buying a gun.
HSC is just a minor inconvenience, but to me it is a matter of principles.

[Poogsdad]

Thanks X-ffdo for confirming what I believed about HSC requirements.

Bob, I'm glad we have been of some help to you and are always willing to continue to do so as much as we can.

Regarding contributing to making California a "Shall Issue" State, I believe I can comfortably state that "All members of this forum have the desire to see California eventually join the ranks of Shall Issue states".

The primary focus of this forum is to assist people in their individual efforts to obtain a CCW through the existing legal channels.

The more people this site can encourage to try to obtain a CCW, the greater the number of California Citizens that do obtain a CCW, the bigger will be our voice and the greater the likelyhood that California will eventually become a "Shall Issue" state.

Fundamental change rarely occurs suddenly. Rather it occurs over time due to the collective actions of dedicated, positive individuals. I believe that the majority of the members of this forum are dedicated, positive individuals and that the message and approach advocated by this forum is likewise positive and productive.

You will also find other web sites/forums and organizations working toward changing California firearms and CCW laws elsewhere on the internet. The focus of these web sites/forums/organizations will vary from ours in many ways.

Some advocate political activism. Some advocate the use of "Work Arounds" and "Loopholes" to existing California gun and CCW laws. Some advocate "Open Carry" as opposed to Concealed Carry, and some may even advocate measures that push or even exceed the limits of existing laws.

We are all professionals here. We do not bash or speak ill of other web sites/forums/organizations here even if we do not share their methodology or focus.

The founding members if this board simply set what I feel is a higher bar of acceptable conduct that I am very comfortable embracing. This is, of course, my personal opinion.

I encourage you to seek out these other web sites/forums/organizations and assess them for yourself. If the focus or methodology of a particular one is a good fit for you, then, by all means embrace it and good luck in your endevours. We are all working toward the same destination, we are simply taking different paths to get there.

Thanks again for your service and good luck in attaining your CCW.