Concealed Carry Permit

A Concealed Carry Permit is a permit issued by the state to an individual that allows him to carry a concealed loaded handgun. The states use different terms for licenses or permits to carry a concealed firearm. In California, the license is called a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW). California Penal Code sections 12050 through 12054 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county may issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license).

In California, carrying a concealed weapon without a license or permit can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. If there is no license, and 1) the individual has any felony or weapons conviction, or 2) the weapon is stolen, or 3) the individual is prohibited from possessing a weapon or 4) the person is an active participant in a street gang, the crime is charged as a felony

There are a number of grounds upon which the granting of a CCW license must be denied, including, when the applicant has:

• A past felony conviction
• An addiction to the use of narcotics
• A restraining order against him or her
• Been found by a court to be a danger to others because of mental illness; mentally incompetent to stand trial; not guilty by reason of insanity or a mentally disordered sex offender.

Been prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under some law.