California law requires concealed weapon permit applicants to satisfy specific criteria before being issued a license. The requirements are as follows:
Residency: All applicants must provide proof that they are a resident of the County of Mariposa.
Training: The applicant must complete and show current proof of attendance and a successful completion certificate from an approved Concealed Carry Course containing modules on safety, the law, and the applicant’s ability to handle a firearm safely. The course will be 8 hours.
Good Character: Applicants must attest to good character with respect to their ability to responsibly and safely carry and use a concealed weapon.
Good Cause: Applicants must establish that good cause exists to support a request for a permit to carry a concealed weapon
Application Process
In order to obtain a CCW permit from the Mariposa County Sheriff Office, the applicant must complete the following steps:
1. Read, complete, do not sign the CCW application form. This form may be picked up in person at the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.
a. Making any intentionally false statements on the application is a crime (Penal Code 12051) and can be prosecuted either as a misdemeanor or a felony.
b. The CCW application, while processed as confidential, is not a privileged document. Information divulged in the application is subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
2. After completing the application the applicant must schedule an appointment with the Sheriff. The Sheriff will review the application. The applicant will be interviewed at this time regarding his or her application. All information is subject to verification and the applicant may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.
3. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a background investigation on the applicant. When the investigation is complete, the Sheriff’s Office administration will review the information. A decision will be made at this time whether or not the CCW permit will be preliminarily approved. If the request is denied, the applicant will be notified by mail.
Note: The applicant may be required to furnish proof of medical fitness and/or undergo psychological testing by a psychologist specified by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, and at the applicant’s expense in accordance with the provisions of Penal Code 12054(c).
4. Upon receiving preliminary approval for the CCW permit, the applicant must be fingerprinted and pay the required Department of Justice fees before continuing the process. Fingerprints and fees are sent to the Department of Justice for confirmation of identify, criminal history, and firearms possession eligibility. All fees are non-refundable.
5. The clearance from the Department of Justice usually takes from one month.
6. Once the Department of Justice responds and it is determined that the applicant has been cleared to receive a permit, the applicant will be notified by phone. The applicant must return to the Sheriff’s Office in person to sign and place their fingerprint on the CCW Permit. The applicant receives the CCW permit after these requirements have been satisfied.
*** DISCLAIMER ***
No resident has the right to a permit, nor is the Sheriff required to issue a permit. By law, the Sheriff has the discretion to approve or deny CCW permit applications as well as revoke permits that have already been issued.
A permit may contain any reasonable restrictions or conditions on its use. Restrictions or conditions (if any) are imposed at the sole discretion of the Sheriff. Receipt by the Sheriff’s Office of a CCW permit application does not guarantee the issuance of a permit.
Renewal Process
A CCW permit is not issued indefinitely. In general, the permit is valid for two years from the date of issue and must then be renewed. Renewal of a CCW permit is not automatic. A permit holder must reapply with the Sheriff’s Office in order for the permit to remain in effect. The process of application for the renewal of a CCW requires:
1) That the applicant is required to undergo 4 hours of firearms training.
A permit may contain any reasonable restrictions or conditions on its use. Restrictions or conditions (if any) are imposed at the sole discretion of the Sheriff. Receipt by the Sheriff’s Office of a CCW permit application does not guarantee the issuance of a permit.
The
license holder shall agree to abide by the following terms for carrying a
concealed weapon. Failure to do so shall result in the immediate suspension of
the CCW license.
1). A
license holder shall notify the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office of any change
of address within ten days of the change. A permit will expire 90 days after the
licensee moves from Mariposa County Sheriff's Office jurisdiction if the
residence was a basis for the issuance of the license. This will allow the permitee time to apply for a CCW within their new jurisdiction.
2).
License holder shall surrender the CCW license and/or concealed weapon to any
peace officer upon demand.
3).
License holder shall not unnecessarily display or expose the concealed weapon.
4).
Should the license holder display or utilize the concealed weapon for which the
license has been issued, the license holder shall notify the Mariposa County
Sheriff’s Office within five days. This notice shall be in writing, and shall
include the circumstances resulting in the use of the weapon.
5).
License holder shall not carry a concealed weapon while taking medication or if
in a condition which is likely to impair judgment, behavior, or dexterity, or
while consuming alcohol.
6).
License holder agrees to notify the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office immediately
upon arrest and/or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, including under the
influence of alcohol or drugs. Applicant further agrees to notify the Mariposa
County Sheriff’s Office immediately should he/she become the subject of any
domestic violence investigation or court order/temporary restraining order. The
license holder shall notify the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office in writing
within five days of any arrest or restraining order. Following an investigation
by Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office into the matter a determination will be made
for re-issuance of the CCW.
7).
Restrictions by Act: Any of the following or similar acts while in possession of
a firearm shall be considered a violation of the permittee’s general
responsibilities as specified below:
a. any
violation of law,
b. be
in a place having a primary purpose of dispensing alcoholic beverages for
on-site consumption,
c.
consumption of any alcohol or any narcotic/drug, including an adverse reaction
to prescription medications,
d.
possession of a firearm at any airport or on a plane where prohibited by law,
e.
possession of a firearm at any school building and/or school grounds where
prohibited law,
f.
possession of a firearm at any city, county, state, or federal building where
prohibited by law,
g.
possession of a firearm at any government facility where prisoners are housed,
h.
possession of a firearm at any other location where firearms are normally
prohibited by law,
i. any
unjustified display of any portion of a firearm,
j.
failure to show permit to any peace officer upon demand,
k.
failure to surrender weapon to any peace officer upon demand,
l.
impeding or interfering with any peace officer,
m.
possessing a weapon altered from its originally approved design, or weapon not
listed on the permit,
n.
possessing any equipment or attachments to a firearm not specifically approved
as a part of the permit, and
o. any
other act, omission or commission, deemed by the Sheriff to violate these
regulations and/or the Sheriff’s reasonable expectation of sound judgment and
responsible conduct.