News

Sheriff's office inundated with concealed weapon permit requests

1,000+ applications filed after U.S. Supreme Court ruling relaxed states' requirements

Lt. Ronald Hoekwater of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office processes concealed carry weapon applications. The office currently has a backlog of over 1,000 applications. (Photo by Nicholas May/CCCSO, via Bay City News)

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office says it has been "inundated" with requests for concealed carry weapon permits since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that struck down New York state's restrictions requiring applicants to give a compelling need to carry a concealed weapon in public.

The sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday that the ruling in the case New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen means California's similar restrictions requiring concealed carry weapon permit applicants to demonstrate "good cause" were unconstitutional.

New staff positions recently approved by the county Board of Supervisors will be filled by people to help with more than 1,000 permit requests since July, sheriff's officials said.

Before the ruling, the sheriff's office received about 20 permit applications a month.

Obtaining a concealed weapon permit is a multi-step process requiring a detailed application, California Department of Justice fingerprints, background check, interview, and a training class. There's also a $160 fee, due after applicants complete the training. The sheriff's office already handles renewals for about 500 current concealed weapon permit holders.

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Sheriff's office inundated with concealed weapon permit requests

1,000+ applications filed after U.S. Supreme Court ruling relaxed states' requirements

by Tony Hicks / BCN Foundation /

Uploaded: Fri, Nov 18, 2022, 5:35 am

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office says it has been "inundated" with requests for concealed carry weapon permits since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that struck down New York state's restrictions requiring applicants to give a compelling need to carry a concealed weapon in public.

The sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday that the ruling in the case New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen means California's similar restrictions requiring concealed carry weapon permit applicants to demonstrate "good cause" were unconstitutional.

New staff positions recently approved by the county Board of Supervisors will be filled by people to help with more than 1,000 permit requests since July, sheriff's officials said.

Before the ruling, the sheriff's office received about 20 permit applications a month.

Obtaining a concealed weapon permit is a multi-step process requiring a detailed application, California Department of Justice fingerprints, background check, interview, and a training class. There's also a $160 fee, due after applicants complete the training. The sheriff's office already handles renewals for about 500 current concealed weapon permit holders.

Comments

Malcolm Hex
Registered user
San Ramon
on Nov 23, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Malcolm Hex, San Ramon
Registered user
on Nov 23, 2022 at 6:30 pm

Welp, I’m certainly not surprised that a large number of folks want a CCW considering the rampant increase in crime in these parts.


David
Registered user
San Ramon
on Nov 24, 2022 at 8:04 am
David, San Ramon
Registered user
on Nov 24, 2022 at 8:04 am

Back in the day concealed weapons permits were only granted to private investigators, private security guards, wholesale jewelry salespersons, and firearms dealers.

Why not simply carry a properly registered firearm out in the open? That would be a crime deterrent in and of itself.

CA should consider implementing an open carry law like in Idaho.


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