USACarryOC
New member
Hello USA Carry community! I want to post this here so that anyone interested in CCW in Orange County California will have information to go by as best as I understand it, and to facilitate conversation. We have a unique situation with CCW in this area as a result of the Puerta v San Diego County case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruta_v._San_Diego_County that claims the restrictive policy of San Diego County and other counties in California are unconstitutional. Orangy County initially started to issue for self defense as a good cause, but has since changed it's policy requiring good cause. This should not dissuade anyone interested in CCW in Orange County because if you can articulate good cause without specifically using only self defense as a reason you have a good chance if you have a clean record. I have just recently been approved by the county for CCW and will describe the process as it is now below.
OCSD CCW Unit Link Removed
1) Online Request for Interview Appointment Link Removed
After your request for an interview you will receive a confirmation email with a future interview date, typically 6 months or so in the future. This date will be updated as space is made available and the interview date may happen sooner, and an email will be sent to inform you of this.
2) Application Link Removed
The application requires that you provide accurate information about your criminal history, driving history, substance use history, and mental health history. To ensure that you have an accurate account of your criminal history you can request a live scan on yourself for the FBI and DOJ and have it mailed to you, it could take several months and is not required, but you should know that you can do this if you want to get dates correct or other information, obviously a DMV record can also be obtained. The application has a section that is known as interviewer's notes where you will be filling in the information requested as well even though the application says not to, OCSD wants this filled in at this time. Be brief, be concise, and be truthful as your full history including juvenile records are available to the investigator. From what I understand your complete driving history and complete criminal history from juvenile to present is available to the investigator. If you were ever placed on a 72 hour mental health hold also known as a 5150, or if you have had a restraining order, or if you have ever been committed to a psychiatric institution for treatment you may be ineligible. If you are have substance use issues or a history and have not completed treatment, or have recently sobered up you may not be eligible. I am not certain on the Sheriff's policies on these issues, I do know that these are areas of focus. This does not mean that because you have used drugs in the past, had a drinking problem at one time and are sober, or have sought therapy for less severe forms of mental illness that you will be ineligible, it's very common for people to have some history and this shouldn't dissuade you if you are fully functioning and healthy, and it's clear that you have recovered and are stable. Just be honest and answer all the questions fully no matter what.
3) Good Cause Statement
As of right now you are required to have "good cause" for a CCW permit. All this means is that you cannot just write down "self defense", you must come up with something better than that, but it doesn't need to be anything crazy. One person hikes in the wilderness and addressed his concerns, another travels through high crime areas, some must transport money or valuables often, others may have had threats made against them. The point is you can probably come up with something that isn't specifically self defense that will qualify if you spend some time thinking about what you do in your daily life that puts you at risk. When you write your good cause statement be sure that you emphasize the NEED for this level of protection.
4) Documents Link Removed
You will need some additional documents when you go to your interview such as an official long form birth certificate with raised seal or a US passport, letters addressed to you preferably from utility companies that show your name and address, your social security card, ID or driver license, and gun safety certificate. All this information is available on the OCSD site.
5) Interview
As of September 2015 the interview is conducted by an investigator from the Sheriff's Professional Standards Division. The interview should be attended as though you were interviewing for a well paying job in an office, dress nice it helps. You will park in the structure next to the Sheriff's headquarters on Flower St. You will turn in your paperwork to the CCW Unit records clerks after being escorted from the lobby, and your photo will be taken. The interview is with the investigator who will likely review each question on the application and ask you to initial by each answer, and sign in various places. Questions where you have added information such as criminal history questions will be addressed, you will be asked to clarify that information. You don't have to provide any information beyond the facts if you don't wish to, but be honest. After this you will be told to get your livescan done and most likely to hold on undergoing training untill after the livescan results are in.
6) Live Scan Fingerprints and Background Investigation
The live scan is the first order of business to be done after your interview. You must download the live scan form for the OCSD from the OCSD website and take it with you for the live scan Link Removed ... obID=38304. If you are confident you will not be wasting $100 on a live scan because you aren't a felon or someone with domestic violence or any significant crimes in your history then you can start your live scan before your interview. You should probably do this about a month prior to your interview. They suggest you wait till the interview to do your live scan however, and this is the normal way, it's also the way to go if you think your interview might not go well. You should know that the interviewer does not make the decision of whether you get a CCW or not, that is the decision of a higher officer in the department, investigators build your packet of information to be submitted. Though the interviewer doesn't make the call on you getting a permit, he or she can give you an idea if it's worth it or not to spend the $100 on a live scan.The live scan will take somewhere around 60 - 90 days, sometimes longer. You should receive a phone call and or email once the background is done and all your results are ready to be sent to be reviewed and approved by a higher officer. Currently this person is a Lieutenant Sheriff. If you are denied you may not receive an email but instead a letter in the mail. After 90 days if you do not hear back you should send an email to your investigator for an update. The live scan prints are sent to the DOJ and FBI electronically, and the results of their records are sent back to OCSD within a few weeks usually, the part that takes months to complete is the DOJ Firearms background check which is sent to OCSD by mail and is conducted by an investigator in Sacramento. After your live scan results are complete and approved you will receive an email with a "conditional approval" for further processing if you have not completed training.
7) Residence Check (right after interview)
The Investigator will then send a deputy in an unmarked car to your home to confirm you live there typically between one and three weeks after your appointment. If you are not home your neighbors will be contacted and asked if you live there and for how long. I don't believe they will say you are processing for a CCW permit, only that you aren't in trouble and this is part of a background according to my neighbor.
8) Packet Submission
FBI DOJ and DOJ Firearms reports are at OCSD, residence check is complete, and your application is on file. Your investigator will contact you and advise you that your file is ready to be submitted to the higher ups for approval. This can take several weeks.
9) Letter (email) of Conditional Approval or Denial
If you reach this point and receive the letter of conditional approval it is a very good sign and you are most likely going to be receiving your permit. This advises you to undergo training and send that certificate to the Sheriff's department.
10) Certified Training Link Removed
Training must be completed at an approved training location from the list above. The training is 16 hours and most of this is in the classroom learning about the laws and also about some basic techniques for using your weapon in self defense. Some training providers have more advanced training, some require more ammunition and are focused more on that part of the qualification, some can be completed in part online, you have a variety of options. The state requires you to be able to fire at least 3/4ths of your shots on target at distances of 3 5 and 7 yards on a standard human form cut out. The target area is basically the entire torso so you don't have to be a perfect shot, but you should practice as much as possible and know your weapons well. The cost seems to average about $200 for training, and then you also have to purchase ammo which will be at least 72 rounds per weapon you are qualifying with, up to 3 weapons can be on your permit. After this is complete you receive your certificate and should fax this to the OCSD CCW Unit and or email a scan to the CCW Unit and your investigator. After this you wait for another email/letter setting what is known as a "final interview appointment" which is not actually an interview but the date you pick up your permit.
11) Final Interview Appointment (license pick up)
Now that everything is done, the application, the residence check, the live scan/background check, the training certificate, and letter of approval you reach your "final interview appointment", the issuance date. There is not an actual interview involved, you must bring your ID or driver license and your original training certificate with you to OCSD headquarters on Flower street. You will then go back to the CCW Unit and pay a fee of $102.22 via personal check. Your card will be created and issued and you will be set for 2 years. The OC issued CCW is good for the entire state of California except for where restricted in certain buildings that are detailed in training and in your license agreements.
12) Renewal
After 2 years you can renew your CCW by mailing in your request and paying a fee as well as attending a shorter re qualification course that is 4 hours and also weapons qualification.
I hope this helps you in your understanding of the OCSD process for obtaining a CCW permit, best of luck!
OCSD CCW Unit Link Removed
1) Online Request for Interview Appointment Link Removed
After your request for an interview you will receive a confirmation email with a future interview date, typically 6 months or so in the future. This date will be updated as space is made available and the interview date may happen sooner, and an email will be sent to inform you of this.
2) Application Link Removed
The application requires that you provide accurate information about your criminal history, driving history, substance use history, and mental health history. To ensure that you have an accurate account of your criminal history you can request a live scan on yourself for the FBI and DOJ and have it mailed to you, it could take several months and is not required, but you should know that you can do this if you want to get dates correct or other information, obviously a DMV record can also be obtained. The application has a section that is known as interviewer's notes where you will be filling in the information requested as well even though the application says not to, OCSD wants this filled in at this time. Be brief, be concise, and be truthful as your full history including juvenile records are available to the investigator. From what I understand your complete driving history and complete criminal history from juvenile to present is available to the investigator. If you were ever placed on a 72 hour mental health hold also known as a 5150, or if you have had a restraining order, or if you have ever been committed to a psychiatric institution for treatment you may be ineligible. If you are have substance use issues or a history and have not completed treatment, or have recently sobered up you may not be eligible. I am not certain on the Sheriff's policies on these issues, I do know that these are areas of focus. This does not mean that because you have used drugs in the past, had a drinking problem at one time and are sober, or have sought therapy for less severe forms of mental illness that you will be ineligible, it's very common for people to have some history and this shouldn't dissuade you if you are fully functioning and healthy, and it's clear that you have recovered and are stable. Just be honest and answer all the questions fully no matter what.
3) Good Cause Statement
As of right now you are required to have "good cause" for a CCW permit. All this means is that you cannot just write down "self defense", you must come up with something better than that, but it doesn't need to be anything crazy. One person hikes in the wilderness and addressed his concerns, another travels through high crime areas, some must transport money or valuables often, others may have had threats made against them. The point is you can probably come up with something that isn't specifically self defense that will qualify if you spend some time thinking about what you do in your daily life that puts you at risk. When you write your good cause statement be sure that you emphasize the NEED for this level of protection.
4) Documents Link Removed
You will need some additional documents when you go to your interview such as an official long form birth certificate with raised seal or a US passport, letters addressed to you preferably from utility companies that show your name and address, your social security card, ID or driver license, and gun safety certificate. All this information is available on the OCSD site.
5) Interview
As of September 2015 the interview is conducted by an investigator from the Sheriff's Professional Standards Division. The interview should be attended as though you were interviewing for a well paying job in an office, dress nice it helps. You will park in the structure next to the Sheriff's headquarters on Flower St. You will turn in your paperwork to the CCW Unit records clerks after being escorted from the lobby, and your photo will be taken. The interview is with the investigator who will likely review each question on the application and ask you to initial by each answer, and sign in various places. Questions where you have added information such as criminal history questions will be addressed, you will be asked to clarify that information. You don't have to provide any information beyond the facts if you don't wish to, but be honest. After this you will be told to get your livescan done and most likely to hold on undergoing training untill after the livescan results are in.
6) Live Scan Fingerprints and Background Investigation
The live scan is the first order of business to be done after your interview. You must download the live scan form for the OCSD from the OCSD website and take it with you for the live scan Link Removed ... obID=38304. If you are confident you will not be wasting $100 on a live scan because you aren't a felon or someone with domestic violence or any significant crimes in your history then you can start your live scan before your interview. You should probably do this about a month prior to your interview. They suggest you wait till the interview to do your live scan however, and this is the normal way, it's also the way to go if you think your interview might not go well. You should know that the interviewer does not make the decision of whether you get a CCW or not, that is the decision of a higher officer in the department, investigators build your packet of information to be submitted. Though the interviewer doesn't make the call on you getting a permit, he or she can give you an idea if it's worth it or not to spend the $100 on a live scan.The live scan will take somewhere around 60 - 90 days, sometimes longer. You should receive a phone call and or email once the background is done and all your results are ready to be sent to be reviewed and approved by a higher officer. Currently this person is a Lieutenant Sheriff. If you are denied you may not receive an email but instead a letter in the mail. After 90 days if you do not hear back you should send an email to your investigator for an update. The live scan prints are sent to the DOJ and FBI electronically, and the results of their records are sent back to OCSD within a few weeks usually, the part that takes months to complete is the DOJ Firearms background check which is sent to OCSD by mail and is conducted by an investigator in Sacramento. After your live scan results are complete and approved you will receive an email with a "conditional approval" for further processing if you have not completed training.
7) Residence Check (right after interview)
The Investigator will then send a deputy in an unmarked car to your home to confirm you live there typically between one and three weeks after your appointment. If you are not home your neighbors will be contacted and asked if you live there and for how long. I don't believe they will say you are processing for a CCW permit, only that you aren't in trouble and this is part of a background according to my neighbor.
8) Packet Submission
FBI DOJ and DOJ Firearms reports are at OCSD, residence check is complete, and your application is on file. Your investigator will contact you and advise you that your file is ready to be submitted to the higher ups for approval. This can take several weeks.
9) Letter (email) of Conditional Approval or Denial
If you reach this point and receive the letter of conditional approval it is a very good sign and you are most likely going to be receiving your permit. This advises you to undergo training and send that certificate to the Sheriff's department.
10) Certified Training Link Removed
Training must be completed at an approved training location from the list above. The training is 16 hours and most of this is in the classroom learning about the laws and also about some basic techniques for using your weapon in self defense. Some training providers have more advanced training, some require more ammunition and are focused more on that part of the qualification, some can be completed in part online, you have a variety of options. The state requires you to be able to fire at least 3/4ths of your shots on target at distances of 3 5 and 7 yards on a standard human form cut out. The target area is basically the entire torso so you don't have to be a perfect shot, but you should practice as much as possible and know your weapons well. The cost seems to average about $200 for training, and then you also have to purchase ammo which will be at least 72 rounds per weapon you are qualifying with, up to 3 weapons can be on your permit. After this is complete you receive your certificate and should fax this to the OCSD CCW Unit and or email a scan to the CCW Unit and your investigator. After this you wait for another email/letter setting what is known as a "final interview appointment" which is not actually an interview but the date you pick up your permit.
11) Final Interview Appointment (license pick up)
Now that everything is done, the application, the residence check, the live scan/background check, the training certificate, and letter of approval you reach your "final interview appointment", the issuance date. There is not an actual interview involved, you must bring your ID or driver license and your original training certificate with you to OCSD headquarters on Flower street. You will then go back to the CCW Unit and pay a fee of $102.22 via personal check. Your card will be created and issued and you will be set for 2 years. The OC issued CCW is good for the entire state of California except for where restricted in certain buildings that are detailed in training and in your license agreements.
12) Renewal
After 2 years you can renew your CCW by mailing in your request and paying a fee as well as attending a shorter re qualification course that is 4 hours and also weapons qualification.
I hope this helps you in your understanding of the OCSD process for obtaining a CCW permit, best of luck!
