[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations,

With the encouragement of my training instructor, who has his CCW, I have begun the process of applying for a CCW permit here in the Inland Empire of Southern California. In this thread I hope to chronicle the process and my experiences through it. I hope to not only gather information, experiences, and suggestions from this community but also to share my journey in the hopes of encouraging and educating others.

I began my journey at the San Bernardino Country Sheriff's CCW website:

CCW FAQ – San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

wp.sbcounty.gov

As I was going through all the necessary paperwork to bring to the initial interview I realized I did not have a long form "official" copy of my original birth certificate. I know, I know. But I haven't needed one in decades. So, even before I filled out the online application I had to order a couple of copies of my birth certificate from my state of birth. That was a bit of a process in itself because I had to scan and email copies of my drivers license, DD-214, etc, to the local clerk and then speak with them on the phone because they had questions. Records get hard to find when you were born in the middle of the 1900s.

But I did receive copies of my birth certificate, that actually look like new printings with official county and state seals, on 12/4/2020. With these documents in hand I could fill out the online CCW application for San Bernardino County, where I live. I did so on 12/5/2020, putting both the XD9 and CW9 on the application, and thought "now I wait". Then I saw this a couple of days later.

Well, wouldn't you know it!?!?! I thought I was done for and would have to wait until this madness was over to continue the process.

But then the very next day I got an email from [email protected] with the subject line "SBCSD CCW INFO":

...You have successfully scheduled a ccw interview on <date>,<time>. Please ensure you follow the instructions (On the website San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department – San Bernardino County) and bring all of the required documents, forms, and money orders to the interview. If you have made other arrangements with the department you can disregard this message. You will continue to receive this reminder until your scheduled interview date has passed. This email account is not monitored, if you have questions please contact employee resources. There is NO waiting list or earlier appointments, do not contact the department to request an earlier interview date.

I was a quite surprised! My initial interview date and time were just confirmed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Cool! As it turns out, applications are still being processed. The Sheriff's Department updated the information on their Facebook page.

So I am still in business! Now I have a lot of paperwork to fill out, one form to get notarized, and bring originals and copies of requested documents to my interview.

I will also have to bring two postal money orders to get the ball rolling:

After my interview, if it is decided that I am worthy of a CCW permit, at some point in the future I will receive an appointment for an eight hour training course, then qualify at the range, and pay the rest of my application fees:

OK, the exact order is something like this, as told by a member of Calguns.net:

When you go to the interview make sure you have photo copies of all your paperwork.

If you pass the interview process you will give them your MO's and do the livescan [background check]. They will tell you don't call them they'll call you.

You will go home and wait for them to call you. At that time they will schedule you for your training. You will now wait for the day you go to the training.

When you go to the training you will give them the last of the MO's and do the class and range time.

At the end of the class they will tell you not to carry until you get your permit in the mail.

You will now go home and wait for your permit in the mail. Once your permit comes you will now carry everywhere it's legal to carry.

From what I've been seeing it's about an 8-10 [month] process right now.

Have a good day and carry on. (Once you get your permit)

Since my instructor has his CCW, we live in the same county, I asked him and he has agreed to tell me all about his experience, what to expect, what to say, how not to be stupid , during the process. I also know a few of the public safety officers at my employment who carry on the job, we've talked about our sport shooting hobby, and they've all said that my county, while thorough, is not averse to giving CCWs to citizens of good moral character and have kept their nose clean.

So for the time being I will keep my hopes up that I will eventually be able to better protect my family and myself. I don't want to be a vigilante or a hero. I just want options when it comes to protection in these increasingly turbulent times.

My initial interview is not until the middle of March so this thread may not be updated very often unless I talk to my trainer or the officers at work and share any pointers or insights they may have. Please, you are welcome to share your wisdom with this old noob too. Thanks!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[835mag]

Good luck to you sir. I hope you are successful. All I have to do to get /renew my permit is walk in to my local sheriffs office and fill out a one page form and pay $25.00 and in less than a week my 5yr permit shows up in my mailbox. It’s also my permit to purchase, good for 5yrs also.

 

[Groo]

Back when I was living near Detroit, I was either working a job that might have me crossing into Canada at a moment's notice, or taking classes one of the local Community Colleges, so I never saw the point of getting one then. Then I moved "back home" where crime isn't likely to impact you unless you are a criminal. Now that the country is busy trying to tear itself apart, I wish I did have one and a decent CC piece. I think a class, a CPL and a pocket carry piece would be good goals to set for 2021.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Good luck to you sir. I hope you are successful. All I have to do to get /renew my permit is walk in to my local sheriffs office and fill out a one page form and pay $25.00 and in less than a week my 5yr permit shows up in my mailbox. It’s also my permit to purchase, good for 5yrs also.

Thank you. I'm learning that, like driving, carrying concealed in this state is a privilege and not a 2A right. That's just the way it's viewed here. I'm also studying up on what it takes to demonstrate my Good Moral Character and having Good Cause to carry. Will I be a benefit to society? Am I a level-headed clear thinking citizen who makes good choices? The self-examination aspect of this procedure really shines a light in the mirror. Am I going to like the reflection?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Back when I was living near Detroit, I was either working a job that might have me crossing into Canada at a moment's notice, or taking classes one of the local Community Colleges, so I never saw the point of getting one then. Then I moved "back home" where crime isn't likely to impact you unless you are a criminal. Now that the country is busy trying to tear itself apart, I wish I did have one and a decent CC piece. I think a class, a CPL and a pocket carry piece would be good goals to set for 2021.

Indeed. Unfortunately the general concerns and paranoia over the increasing unrest and lawlessness in the country does little for your good cause reasoning to obtain a CCW permit. The sheriff is still wanting to know that usually you will run, hide, call 911, and fight last, using deadly force only when absolutely necessary.

I will continue to train. They like to know that you are proficient, but not with a badass Rambo attitude. I also read some very succinct advice known as "The Four Stupids Rule":

"Obey the 4-Stupids Rule (avoid Stupid people, avoid going to Stupid places, avoid doing Stupid things, and avoid being out at Stupid times), exercise situational awareness, and carry pepper spray."

Anyway, we'll see how it goes!



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[162439]

Well good luck brother. I can't imagine having to go through all that crap just to carry. I'm not sure I would.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Well good luck brother. I can't imagine having to go through all that crap just to carry. I'm not sure I would.

Indeed, it is quite the hassle but will be worth it. It looks like the department uses this range for its qualification requirement. I haven't been to this range but it's not too far from the Lytle Creek range featured in a couple of my range reports.

HOMEPAGE WEGC

I may visit this range for one of my practice days just to get the lay of the land. That would be fun.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[HngnHunter]

Man, I’m so glad I live where I do. We just go to the sheriffs office, hand the pretty red head deputy our drivers license, she gives you a sheet to fill out. The sheriff sometimes wanders by, asks How’s it going and if you need anything else and by that time the clerk asks if you’d like her to laminate your permit for you for 50 cents, she does it, I give her a check and I’m good to go.

 

[XDJyo]

Man, I’m so glad I live where I do. We just go to the sheriffs office, hand the pretty red head deputy our drivers license, she gives you a sheet to fill out. The sheriff sometimes wanders by, asks How’s it going and if you need anything else and by that time the clerk asks if you’d like her to laminate your permit for you for 50 cents, she does it, I give her a check and I’m good to go.

Above entry should be listed in the “How To Issue CCW’s” section for California’s lawmakers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HngnHunter]

BassCliff, I just went back and re-read your post especially the forms. Good grief, the socialist state of California sure knows how to milk it’s taxpayers. Of course they have all those homeless druggies that they have to feed and supply needles to.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

BassCliff, I just went back and re-read your post especially the forms. Good grief, the socialist state of California sure knows how to milk it’s taxpayers. Of course they have all those homeless druggies that they have to feed and supply needles to.

It's definitely a challenge trying to CCW here. I'm gonna give it a shot. It's a "privilege" in this state. Hopefully the Sheriff's Dept. will realize I'm an upstanding citizen, a benefit to society, and I am deserving. They make sure you REALLY want to CCW. It's a bit costly in money and time.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Mike51392]

BassCliff, I just went back and re-read your post especially the forms. Good grief, the socialist state of California sure knows how to milk it’s taxpayers. Of course they have all those homeless druggies that they have to feed and supply needles to.

Its not that funny when its true and your the tax payer. If california doesn't do something about its filthy corrupt politicians, I can see this state going under. Hell there taking our rights to defend our selfs, while they release criminals from prisons all while the same filthy politicians use police as personnel security and we pay for that.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Its not that funny when its true and your the tax payer. If california doesn't do something about its filthy corrupt politicians, I can see this state going under. Hell there taking our rights to defend our selfs, while they release criminals from prisons all while the same filthy politicians use police as personnel security and we pay for that.

Believe me, you're preaching to the choir! But this thread is more of a "how to navigate the process" theme rather than a discussion of the politics, infringements, inequities, and general nonsense that goes on in this state.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[HngnHunter]

Mike, didn’t mean to imply it was funny. More disgusting than anything. Our blockhead governor is already starting up with his new programs to see how much more money they can piss away and accomplish nothing. Ya just want to rattle them!!

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I got my first CCW interview reminder in my email on Dec. 11th.

...You have successfully scheduled a ccw interview on <date>,<time>. Please ensure you follow the instructions (On the website San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department – San Bernardino County) and bring all of the required documents, forms, and money orders to the interview. If you have made other arrangements with the department you can disregard this message. You will continue to receive this reminder until your scheduled interview date has passed. This email account is not monitored, if you have questions please contact employee resources. There is NO waiting list or earlier appointments, do not contact the department to request an earlier interview date...

Then five days later, yesterday on the 16th, I received the exact notification again. I'm just wondering if I'll get reminded (spammed?) every five days. The Sheriff wants to make sure I don't forget. I guess it will remind me to check and double-check all my paperwork. I have to bring originals and copies of six pieces of personal documentation, properly and concisely fill out all their forms, and have one form notarized. Good CCW fun!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Wacko-Kid]

Hey buddy, Hope all goes well with this...

 

[BassCliff]

Hey!

Hey buddy, Hope all goes well with this...

Thanks Keith! You'll get the whole adventure right here, win, lose, or draw. I brought all the paperwork with me to my gig in Vegas this weekend so I can go over, fill out, correct, refine, etc, before I bring it to my first interview. This feels more grueling than a job interview. In some ways I guess it is. At least I've got lots of time to get my act together and put forth my best effort. I just want them to like me.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Wacko-Kid]

^^^ Get after it ^^^

 

[Jonnyuma]

I will eventually be able to better protect my family and myself. I don't want to be a vigilante or a hero

No need to sell it here, brother. I don't know the percentage, but l think it's safe to say that most members here possess their state's version of CCW, CPL, CWL, whatever the state calls it.

I have a resident CHL in OR and non-resident CPL for WA... very few states re recognize an OR CHL partly because OR is such an a-hole about recognizing other states' licenses/permits... the WA CPL keeps me covered in all the states l operate in except, of course, CA, who are tier-one a-holes about reciprocity/recognition. I gues that's why it's so safe there... no crime from outsiders.

Good luck on your journey and be damn glad you don't live in Marin or LA county... they only award permits to the top 10% of the donor class.

 

[HngnHunter]

Sounds more like your applying for citizenship. 😄 kinda funny how things have evolved. My first permit was called a Concealed Weapons Permit. Then they changed it to a Concealed Pistol Permit. I asked the sheriff if that meant that I couldn’t carry a revolver? He handed me my permit and told me to go home. 🤣
Good luck with your venture.