California’s “may issue” concealed carry regime has divided the state into a patchwork of regions that may or may not protect the right to keep and bear arms.
The stark contrast of those regions was on full display over the weekend when Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson was sworn in as the county’s 23rd sheriff.
While some California sheriff’s rarely or never issue permits, Sheriff Johnson committed to maintaining what is effectively a “shall issue” jurisdiction.
“I am absolutely a Second Amendment supporter. I will not revoke, I will not scale down CCWs,” he said, according to the Redding Record Searchlight. “As long as you’re legally able to possess a firearm and you go through the proper checklist, you are trained good enough, I will support that and you will still get your CCWs.”
SEE ALSO: California Resident Fatally Shoots Crazed, Shirtless Vandal
The term “may-issue” refers to jurisdictions like California that do not guarantee a qualified applicant will receive a license to carry a concealed handgun. These regimes often require applicants to prove they have a “good cause” to carry a firearm, and California allows local law enforcement to define what constitutes a “good cause.”
May-issue states include California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
All other states are either “Constitutional carry” or “shall-issue” jurisdictions. Laws vary by state, but generally speaking, shall-issue states guarantee that an applicant who has completed the necessary background checks and training will receive a license to carry a concealed firearm. Constitutional carry states allow all law-abiding residents to bear arms without a permit.
May-issue states allow local law enforcement to dictate whether the people in his or her jurisdiction will have full access to Second Amendment rights. In Fresno County, for example, there are 17 people licensed to carry concealed firearms per 1,000 residents, according to the Fresno Bee. In Shasta County, there are 45 permits per 1,000 residents, the highest concentration in the state.
SEE ALSO: Support for Gun Control Slips in Anti-Gun Haven of California
By contrast, Alameda County (where Oakland is located) has issued or renewed about 250 licenses per year, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. In a county of 1.7 million, the ratio of active license holders is doubtless much smaller than in the state’s more rural counties.
Same story in Los Angeles County. The state’s most populous area, home to over 10 million people, has only about 1,000 active permits, according to the Washington Examiner. This equals only 0.1 permits per 1000 residents, 450 times fewer permits than in Shasta County.
Shasta County residents don’t have more “good cause” to receive concealed carry permits—they just happen to live in a jurisdiction that respects Second Amendment rights.
California residents in LA County and other restrictive jurisdictions still have cause for hope. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of gun rights in New York Rifle & Pistol Association v. Corlett, all California residents may be able to enjoy the same rights as those in Shasta County.
Tuolumne county, where I live, has a rough population of 54,000. I would be willing to bet we have a higher % of permits than any other county. Our surrounding counties like Calaveras and Amador are less populated but still issue permits to basically anybody who isn’t a criminal. Thank God for Sheriff departments who respect the Constitution. We have our share of crime but very few murders or armed robberies. We are armed and polite people. Not all of California is Commy.
Villanueva’s ongoing F-U campaign against LA County Board of Supervisors has resulted in numerous carry permits in LA County. It’s still far behind Kern, Ventura, Orange, and other adjacent counties, but much much better than previous sheriffs and LAPD.
I live just south of Redding about 70 miles in Butte County. The Sheriff here is also 2A friendly. I, however, haven’t renewed my ccw for many years since it is a form of gun registry in CA as you are only issued for a SPECIFIC weapon. You may add weapons but you have to qualify on each ( simply a firing exercise) and then it is identified on your ccw by serial number as well as caliber. Other states, such as Texas, you get a ccw and it’s good for all weapons in that class. I believe when you qualify on a semi-auto – you’re qualified on all handguns. Qualifying on a wheel gun (revolver) you are only qualified on that type. Seems like they have it right and others (is it New Hampshire) REALLY have it right – you can carry anything anytime without a permit since the 2A says you can!
While technically Connecticut is a ‘may issue’ state, in practice it is a ‘shall issue’ state to any applicant who competes a sensible training course and has a clean criminal record. The reason is that since 1968 there has been an appeal process from denials which goes, not to courts, but to a gun-friendly civilian review board. There is no hiding room for anti gun issuing authorities. The first permit must come from your local police; after that it’s fairly automatic for issuance and renewal by the State Police.
“May Issue” should be ruled unconstitutional and probably would be if the Supreme Court would take up the issue. It seems they kick the can on so many gun cases. Good for this sheriff! It’s nice to see someone in CA act more like they are from here AZ where are sheriff has declared the county a “sanctuary county” against the tyrants who want the 2nd amendment gone. Our governor has done the same thing for the state as well so any Biden or Harris edicts against firearms are null and void here.