Concealed Carry Weapons
License Process
March 14, 2023
Introduction
• A concealed carry weapons (CCW) license allows a citizen to legally carry “a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed on the person.” • Application process determined by California Penal Code. • A license to publicly carry a firearm may be issued by:
• The sheriff of a county
• The chief of municipal police department, pursuant to Penal Code 26155. • State law allows for a person to be issued a permit if:
• Must be a resident of Santa Monica
• Be of good moral character
• Has completed firearms training and qualification
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be free from criminal convictions that would disqualify the applicant • Pay associated fees
• Provide proof of ownership and registration of firearm March 1, 2017
• SMPD policy
was to refer all
CCW requests
to LA County
Sheriff's
(LASD).
June 23, 2022
• U.S. Supreme
Court struck
down propercause
requirement.
• Rendered CA
“Good Cause”
unconstitution
al.
• California
Attorney
General issued
memo.
July 7, 2022
• LASD Sheriff
issues letter
citing ruling
and increase in
applications.
• Applications
exceeded
capacity of
LASD's CCW
Unit.
August 1, 2022
• LASD
discontinued
processing
first-time
applications
for 44
agencies,
including
SMPD.
• New policy,
procedure,
staffing, etc. to
handle
applications.
Timeline
SMPD Research
• SMPD began reviewing and researching CCW application requirements, established polices, and best practices across several law enforcement agencies in California.
Paper
Applications
My CCW
Online
Applications
• Experienced POST-certified
background investigators
• Advanced electronic web platform for
applications and documents
• Conduct backgrounds and interviews
• Support staff during process
• Alleviates impact on department
staffing
• 90-day process
• Provides final packet to SMPD for
review and approval/denial.
Cost savings approach per applicant
My CCW
Without My CCW With My CCW
10 hours work 2 hours work
$1,093.83 $219 + ($398 My
CCW)
CCW Application Process
Apply online
• DOJ application
• Receive packet
• Upload
documents
• Reviewed by
background
investigator
Backgroun
d • Review documents
• Conduct interviews
(applicant and
character
references)
• Criminal history
through LiveScan
and SMPD
background
investigator
Requireme
nts• Psychological
Evaluation
• Firearm Safety
Course &
Weapons
Qualification
Final
Review • SMPD reviews
packet provided by
My CCW and
makes decision
• Applicant notified
• Applicant pays
administrative fees
• Agrees to terms
• Issued CCW
License
Recommended Actions
• Adopt a resolution establishing certain concealed carry weapon license fees for new applications, renewal applications, and amended licenses, setting maximum and current fees, and authorizing the charging of higher fees if State law changes. *Attached to Staff Report Santa Monica CCW Fee Schedule
• Propose to set initial fee at $398 and administrative fee at $219 (2- hours work) for a total of $617 • CA Penal Code currently sets caps for amended licenses ($10), renewal fees ($25), and psych exam fees ($150) • SB 2 is expected to be voted by the Legislature in 2023 which is likely to remove or modify the existing caps Santa Monica CCW Fee Schedule
Description Payable to Initial Amount Renewal Amount
Application/Processing Vendor (My CCW) $398.00 $25.00
SMPD Background/Review City of Santa Monica $219 $109 (not charged due to State law fee
cap)
Licensing
2-Year Standard
Department of Justice $93.00 $52.00
License Amendments City of Santa Monica $10 N/A
Live Scan/Fingerprints Certified Live Scan $25.00 N/A
Psychological Review Psychologist $150.00 N/A
Safety & Weapons Course Course Vendor $140.00 $95.00
Costs
Total Costs incurred by the City per application
New application Renewal
My CCW Fee $398 $348
Psychological
Evaluation
$150 N/A
PD Review
(estimated)
$219 $109
Totals: $767 $457
Proposed Fees set to partially recover costs
New
application
Renewal Payable to:
Application Fee $617 $25* Vendor/City
Psychological
Evaluation
$150* N/A Vendor
Total Proposed Cost
Recovery Fees
$767 $25
Subsidized Costs
borne by City
$0 $432
* Fee caps expected to be raised by new
legislation (Senate Bill 2) for 2024
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
• Approval of recommended action would not have an estimated impact to the City annually since the fees are covered by the applicant
• City would not process renewals until 2025 (two-year licenses) and it is expected that State law will remove or modify fee caps on renewals • The proposed resolution authorizes SMPD to charge up to $457 should the State law change