FOLLOW THESE THREE (3) EASY STEPS TO GET YOUR CALIFORNIA CCW APPLICATION STARTED TODAY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY!
1) Click here to get your application started NOW with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The longer you wait…the longer you will wait! Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) License | San Diego County Sheriff (sdsheriff.gov)
2) After you have submitted your CCW application through the online portal above and scheduled your appointment with the Sheriff’s Department. It’s time to get some Training in Safety, Shooting Fundamentals, and purchase the guns and gear that you will need! Group or Private Training is available to accommodate your specific needs. If you are new to firearms we recommend trying a few different handguns during a 2-hour or 4-hour private lesson to see what will work best for you. Email us for more information at info@ccwusa.com or read through the Private Training Page here: Private Firearms Training | CCW USA
3) For Group CCW Permit Classes, check the “Class Schedule” page; Class Schedule | CCW USA Sign-up and immediately pre-pay to reserve your seat for a scheduled class using the “SIGN UP” Button, or email us at info@ccwusa.com to request Private Training. You can attend the full 8-hour group course now, and apply for your Multi-State CCW Permit (valid in 30+ States outside of California), Return to complete a quick updated range qualification AFTER you your background check and final approval from the Sheriff’s Department.
CCW RENEWAL APPLICANTS: The Sheriff’s Department will allow you to start your renewal application online 45 days before your expiration date. You can attend the required 8-Hour CCW Renewal Class up to 90 days prior to your expiration date. Sign up for a Concealed Carry class on our “Class Schedule” Page. The Renewal Class is from 8:00AM to 5:00PM on the dates listed.
California CCW Renewal Applicants must bring all of the guns listed on your permit, and any new guns you are adding to your permit, a gun belt, suitable strong-side hip holster for each gun, and 50 rounds of ammunition for each handgun. Initial California CCW Applicants must bring the same range gear listed above, and 100 rounds per-firearm. If you have more than three (3) guns to list, contact us to schedule additional gun quals.
Sign up NOW for our Ultimate California Concealed Carry Package, attend the 8-hour Multi-State CCW Permit Course, and get your Multi-State CCW permit! Once you have been approved by the Sheriff’s Department for your California CCW Permit, you can complete your second 8-hour Training Class within 90-days of your approval letter. This allows you to take the class now, while you are waiting for your initial appointment, background check, or board approval, select the appropriate concealed carry guns, concealment holsters, gear, and get all of the additional training and practice you need before completing your final range training course and range qualification. If you are thinking of applying, DO IT NOW!
Please read through this entire page if you are interested in applying for an Initial California Concealed Weapons License. We offer the 8-hour class for first-time applicants on two Saturday’s each month and on one Friday each month. (See class schedule page for specific dates) SB2 Requires 16-Hours of Training to complete your Initial CCW Permit Training; However, if your application was submitted to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department prior ot January 1st, 2024, you are only required to attend the Initial 8-Hour Course to complete your required training course. The cost is $299.00 for 8-hour Initial CCW Permit Classes (If your application was submitted AFTER January 1st, 2024, then you will need to attend two 8-hour classes, Totaling 16-hours of Training). The 8-hour Renewal course is offered on one Friday of each month, as well as two Saturday’s each month, from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Cost for the CA CCW Renewal Class is $249.00. Please check our Class Schedule Page for specific dates and times; www.ccwusa.com/schedule
The San Diego Sheriff Department is processing CCW applications online!
NOTE: Start your CCW Renewal process online with the Sheriff’s Department up to 45-days prior to your expiration date. If your CCW Permit expires, you can still renew it, but you cannot carry until your permit is renewed. You can complete your training up to 90 days before your expiration date. Private CCW Training is available if your schedule does not allow you to attend one of our regular group classes.
CCW RENEWAL APPLICANTS
1. Click here to get your application started with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) License | San Diego County Sheriff (sdsheriff.gov) If you have not attended your renewal course yet, just upload a note stating that you are scheduled to attend the class on a specific date, and that you will upload your “Course Completion Certificate” after attending the Renewal class. This will allow the system to accept your application. Make sure all boxes ate checked and fields are complete.
2. Check our Class Schedule page, www.ccwusa.com/schedule
3. Pre-Pay via Zelle or use the Pre-Payment Buttons on the Class Schedule Page
To register for our California CCW Classes – [button link=”https://www.ccwusa.com/schedule/”]CLASS SCHEDULE[/button]
FAQ’s Frequently Asked Questions
Our “CCW CLASS” dates are listed on the Class Schedule Page: www.ccwusa.com/schedule/ This CCW class covers CA CCW Initial and/or Renewal Permit Training and Qualification for San Diego County Residents, as well as the Multi-State AZ or FL Permits that are not included with our Initial Class.
When can I attend the CCW Permit Class? We recommend starting your application with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department immediately. Once your application is in the que, you have several options to get your training started.
If you do not own any handguns in California;
You can attend the first 8-hour day of class (Classroom Portion covering Gun Safety, Situational Awareness, Use of Force, Legal Issues, etc.) and then return at a later date to complete the second half of the course (Range Training, weapon handling and shooting fundamentals listed on our Class Schedule Page) This is great for 1st time gun owners and people considering the purchase of a firearm for CCW or home defense, or for obtaining your Multi-State CCW Permit valid outside of California.
If you have your own handgun registered to you with CAL DOJ in California;
1. You can attend the entire 8-hour or 16-hour CCW course and return to the indoor range for an updated range qualification after you have had your appointment with the Sheriff’s Department and passed your background check.
2. You can wait until your appointment date, and then attend the 8-hour class.
3. you can wait until you have received your approval from the Sheriff’s Department and then attend the class.
What do I need to bring to class? Bring all of the guns you would like to list on your permit, a suitable strong-side hip holster or appendix holster, either IWB or OWB, (does not have to be a Concealment holster). Preferably three (3) Magazines, ear and eye protection, a hat with forward-facing rim. Dress weather-comfortable for outdoors and wear closed toe shoes or boots.
How much ammo do I need to bring? At least 100 rounds of ammunition for your primary gun, 50 to 100 rounds for each additional gun. More ammo means more practice under Instructor lead training evolutions and drills.
Is there a Lunch Break? We will have a 30-minute working lunch. Please bring plenty of water, snacks, and sack lunch.
What else do I need to bring? You will need a black pen and note taking materials. Please bring a folding chair that you are comfortable sitting in during the lecture portion of the course. Bring a canopy if you have one for additional shade.
Where is the Range located? We use a Private outdoor facility, and you will need to drive a vehicle that YOU can drive on a fairly rough dirt road. Details will be sent out upon registration. You will also have an opportunity to carpool in with someone else if you like.
What are the expectations for my shooting ability? You must be proficient and comfortable safely handling and shooting the guns you are planning to list on your permit. If you have a new gun or are new to shooting, please schedule a Private Lesson prior to attending this group class. Do not bring a gun you have never fired before!
How much is this going to cost?
Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) License | San Diego County Sheriff
While exercising the privileges granted to the licensee under the terms of this license, the licensee SHALL NOT, when carrying a concealed weapon:
1.) Consume any alcoholic beverage while carrying or transporting a concealed firearm.
2.) Be in a place having a primary purpose of dispensing alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption (e.g. Bars NOT Restaurants)
3.) Be under the influence of any medication or drug, whether prescribed or not. (Including over-the-counter medications)
4.) Refuse to show the license or surrender the concealed weapon to any peace officer upon demand.
5.) Violate any Law of this State or Country.
6.) Impede any peace officer in the performance of their duties.
7.) Present himself/herself as a peace officer to any person unless he/she is, in fact, a peace officer as defined by California law.
8.) Abuse this privilege by any unjustified display a concealed weapon.
9.) Carry a concealed weapon not listed on your permit or at times or circumstances other than those specified on the permit.
10.) Carry any weapon on or about your person, openly or concealed, onto an airport without the permission of the Port Director.
11.) Carry any weapon on or about your person, anywhere that is prohibited by law.
12.) Leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle without first securing it in the trunk of the vehicle, locking it in a locked container and placing the container out of view, or locking the handgun in a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle’s interior and not in plain view.[/toggle]
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Five Rules for Concealed Carry
1. Your concealed handgun is for protection of life only.
Draw it solely in preparation to protect yourself or an innocent third party from the wrongful and life-threatening criminal actions of another.
2. Know exactly when you can use your gun. A criminal adversary must have, or reasonably appear to have:
* A. the ability to inflict serious bodily injury (he is armed or reasonably appears to be armed with a deadly weapon).
* B. the opportunity to inflict serious bodily harm (he is physically positioned to harm you with his weapon), and
* C. his intent (hostile actions or words) indicates that he means to place you in jeopardy — to do you serious or fatal physical harm. When all three of these “attack potential” elements are in place simultaneously, then you are facing a reasonably perceived deadly threat that can justify an emergency deadly force response.
3. If you can run away — RUN! Just because you’re armed doesn’t necessarily mean you must confront a bad guy at gunpoint. Develop your “situation awareness” skills so you can be alert to detect and avoid trouble altogether. Keep in mind that if you successfully evade a potential confrontation, the single negative consequence involved might be your bruised ego, which should heal with mature rationalization. But if you force a confrontation you risk the possibility of you or a family member being killed or suffering lifelong crippling/disfiguring physical injury, criminal liability and/or financial ruin from civil lawsuit. Flee if you can, fight only as a last resort.
4. Display your gun, go to jail. You should expect to be arrested by police at gunpoint, and be charged with a crime anytime your concealed handgun is seen by another citizen in public, regardless of how unintentional or innocent or justified the situation might seem. Choose a method of carry that reliably keeps your gun hidden from public view at all times. You have no control over how a stranger will react to seeing (or learning about) your concealed handgun. He or she might become alarmed and report you to police as a “man or woman with a gun.” Depending on his or her feelings about firearms, this person might be willing to maliciously embellish his or her story in attempt to have your gun seized by police or to get you arrested. An alarmed citizen who reports a “man with a gun” is going to be more credible to police than you when you’re stopped because you match the suspect’s description, and you’re found to have a concealed handgun in your possession. Before you deliberately expose your gun in public, ask yourself: “Is this worth going to jail for?” The only time this question should warrant a “yes” response is when an adversary has at least, both ability and intent, and is actively seeking the opportunity to do you great harm.
5. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. If, despite your best efforts to the contrary, you do get into some kind of heated dispute with another person while you are armed, never mention, imply or exhibit your gun for the purpose of intimidation or one-upmanship. You’ll simply make a bad situation worse — for yourself (see rule #4).
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Homework…
Checkout this article on Dealing with the Aftermath of a Lethal Encounter (PDF) written by Steve Krystek & Michael L. Potter for Concealed Carry Magazine.