Generally, the only lawful way to carry a firearm in public for self-defense in California is with a license to carry a concealed “weapon” (“LTC” or “CCW”). These licenses can be issued by a Sheriff or Police Chief.

If you are simply seeking general information about the process for obtaining a CCW or about common problems faced by applicants, the links to the reference materials posted below should direct you to answers to your questions. These materials include information about the applicable laws, issuing authorities’ duties, and CCW issuance policies (to the extent they are available) for the various California jurisdictions.

We receive numerous inquiries from individuals interested in applying for these licenses, in joining our current lawsuits challenging restrictions on license issuance, or in bringing a lawsuit because they have been denied a license. If you feel that you have been denied for unlawful purposes, please click on the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page to submit your information for review.

 The standardized CCW application that is used in all California jurisdictions is not overly complex. Usually individuals do not need the assistance of an attorney to fill it out. In jurisdictions that issue CCWs freely (Yes, there are several in California), the issuing authority will be inclined to issue, and may even help you complete the paperwork. And if the jurisdiction is pre-disposed to not issue, our assistance generally makes little difference in the determination of whether to issue a license (unless the applicant plainly meets the particular jurisdiction’s written policy criteria).

We are compiling a database of interested persons who have been denied a CCW for possible use in later legal actions against recalcitrant jurisdictions. If you are interested in being considered as a potential plaintiff in a future CCW lawsuit, please contact our office at (562) 216-4444 or by clicking the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page and we will email you a form to complete so your information can be saved in our database. We will use the information to determine whether, when, and where future lawsuits are appropriate or determine if we can assist you with any current issues.

More information and video resources can be found here.