San Diego CCW

[CessnaDriver]

So first appointment you bring your application and justification, and if you get passed the questioning the next interview you bring documentation they ask for as evidence for your justification?

[MajorCaliber]

If you bring absolutely everything you need to the first interview and it is all complete and requires no revisions, AND the stars align and they have time in their schedule, you may get the first two appointments done in one long appointment. If you are interested I'll type out the list and details to the best of my understanding at this point based on my experience and that of other recent ones I am aware of.

[CessnaDriver]

That would be great. I mean we all have a month to burn waiting so might as well put everything possible together.

[asymmetricalwarfar3]

So first appointment you bring your application and justification, and if you get passed the questioning the next interview you bring documentation they ask for as evidence for your justification?

Really?

[MajorCaliber]

Based on my experience and conversations with SDSO and what I can glean from the recent experiences of others, here is my current information on how to get the best shot at completing your first two appointments in one session. Note that no matter how prepared you are, there is no guarantee this will work. It depends on if the clerk just happens to have the available time in his/her schedule at that moment. For everything other than the application and good cause statement, bring both the originals and clear copies to save them the time of making copies. The idea here is to do every possible part of their job for them in advance to save them time. The less time they have to spend on your application, the faster yours get processed as well as those of your friends behind you in line. Bring every possible thing you think they might conceivably want, just in case. You should bring:

1. Your completed TYPED application. While the form provided does not allow you to save it with information filled out, what I did was print the blank form, collected my data and filled it out by hand, then when fully ready, opened a blank form on my computer, filled it all in and printed it all in one session. Consider having somebody review it for typos or missing information prior to printing. On any space on the form where no data applies, such as “Spouse’s Physical Address”, write “none” or “N/A” to show you did not miss it.

2. Your typed good cause statement on a separate sheet. They say they prefer a single sheet but will accept two. Make sure your name and phone number appear on each page.

3. Your driver’s license, and a copy.

4. At least two current proofs of your address. They seem to be concerned that people might submit a document that was true at one point but that you might have moved recently so what they want is the most recent bills of a utility bill that your receive monthly, not a bill that covers a multi month period, even if your current version was issued last week. This makes no sense to me but that’s the answer I got. Bring both the originals and full copies. I would bring three separate proofs like this in case they don’t like one. Printed copies of bills you receive electronically seem to be acceptable.

5. Any possible documentation that supports your good cause statement such as a signed letter from your employer on company letterhead, relevant licenses, police reports, receipts, etc. If a piece of paper exists that shows you are not making your good cause up out of whole cloth, bring it.

6. Any other documentation requested regarding prior tickets, arrests, etc.

You will be asked to discuss your good cause even though you are providing it in written form. Be prepared to do that.

If anybody has anything to add or any contrary recent information, please share!

[Learning]

Good information Major Caliber.

In my case, the first interview provided valuable information for use in bolstering my good cause statement, so unless an individual thought that their good cause statement was "final" and could not be improved, it likely will take 2 visits. I would add that on all parts of the application that are not applicable to your particular situation (traffic accidents, aka's, etc.), write "NONE" in each space. My interviewer indicated that the reviewers do not like to see blank spaces...

[rice_man]

Good summary Major.

Good information Major Caliber.

In my case, the first interview provided valuable information for use in bolstering my good cause statement, so unless an individual thought that their good cause statement was "final" and could not be improved, it likely will take 2 visits. I would add that on all parts of the application that are not applicable to your particular situation (traffic accidents, aka's, etc.), write "NONE" in each space. My interviewer indicated that the reviewers do not like to see blank spaces...

This is pretty much what the first "interview" is about. The licensing clerks are extremely helpful in going through your application to be sure that not only is everything filled out correctly they also provide ways you can phrase things or suggest things that may help your case. The idea is that you can convince the review board that you fit in one of the pre-defined good cause "buckets" i.e. the bullet point items on the SDCSO website.

IF everything looks good and you have all your supporting documents the clerk may go directly to the second "interview". The second interview is just a matter of handing in all the completed and polished package, taking a picture, the Live Scan and paying the $105.63. So I supposed if you are completely satisfied with what you prepared and the clerk offers to go to the second interview be prepared to pay.

Note that I put quotes on the word "interview". It is my understanding that the clerk who handles your case is not involved in any of the decision making of your approval or denial. So the first and second interviews are really just a matter of completing and submitting your application. So your approval is completely dependent on your background check and your good cause statement. There is no assessment based on face to face interview. I guess no different than mailing in an application for out of state permit such as AZ - with exception of good cause, of course.

[marcusrn]

Last but not least

You're telling them you want to carry a gun to defend yourself. Start with the pepper spray in your pocket. The gun is a last resort I hope. I do carry pepper spray and if it comes up the interviewer can write that yes, you were carring this in your pocket. Yes, you've had martial arts training but most importantly you know when and how to run while calling popo.
These people don't know you.If your only answer to a problem is a hammer you have in your pocket bla,bla, bla. Paint them a vivid picture of how society is better off with you walking around with a .38 in your pocket.
Even though the clerk has no deciding factor in your getting the LTC they write a note introducing you and your deal. It behoves you to humanize yourself.

[baranski]

I've been out of the loop for some 20 odd years. I would never have thought this much progress would have been made. SD County Gun Owners is hosting a CCW seminar at the GlockStore on 4/3 1800-2000hrs. Has anyone ever attended one of these?

How did I miss this class?

[MajorCaliber]

Good summary Major.

This is pretty much what the first "interview" is about. The licensing clerks are extremely helpful in going through your application to be sure that not only is everything filled out correctly they also provide ways you can phrase things or suggest things that may help your case. The idea is that you can convince the review board that you fit in one of the pre-defined good cause "buckets" i.e. the bullet point items on the SDCSO website.

IF everything looks good and you have all your supporting documents the clerk may go directly to the second "interview". The second interview is just a matter of handing in all the completed and polished package, taking a picture, the Live Scan and paying the $105.63. So I supposed if you are completely satisfied with what you prepared and the clerk offers to go to the second interview be prepared to pay.

Note that I put quotes on the word "interview". It is my understanding that the clerk who handles your case is not involved in any of the decision making of your approval or denial. So the first and second interviews are really just a matter of completing and submitting your application. So your approval is completely dependent on your background check and your good cause statement. There is no assessment based on face to face interview. I guess no different than mailing in an application for out of state permit such as AZ - with exception of good cause, of course.

I concur with all of that. I wrote my GC very carefully and I guess I got lucky. The clerk had no suggestions for improvement and said I was good to go as is. From that I can only conclude that I must have fit into a clear category for approval, or alternatively, it was so inadequate that it was beyond hope and not worth wasting another minute on. I'm hoping for the first.

[GlockUnCut]

If I recall correctly, the application instructions clearly state that file out the application form, up to a certain point and then stop. Bring what you have been asked for to the first appointment (follow the app instructions closely). I think they want people who can follow instructions.

Unless you have documented threats against your life, a legitimate need for a CCW to be processed quickly, then I think that works against you. Trying to do it all in one appointment, being in a hurry (in my opinion) is not what they're looking for.

They are going to ask you questions, say and doing things, that will have you reconsidering if carrying a gun is really a good idea. Acting like you want to circumvent their process, speed things up, may not be wise.

[MajorCaliber]

If I recall correctly, the application instructions clearly state that file out the application form, up to a certain point and then stop. Bring what you have been asked for to the first appointment (follow the app instructions closely). I think they want people who can follow instructions.

When I actually sopke to them I was told to fill out section 7 regardless of printed instructions to the contrary. I did so and everything proceeded normally.

Unless you have documented threats against your life, a legitimate need for a CCW to be processed quickly, then I think that works against you. Trying to do it all in one appointment, being in a hurry (in my opinion) is not what they're looking for.

I did not ask to have it all done in one appointment. It was an option they offered and my clerk preferred to do it that way since it saves wasted time between appointments.

They are going to ask you questions, say and doing things, that will have you reconsidering if carrying a gun is really a good idea. Acting like you want to circumvent their process, speed things up, may not be wise.

They asked no such questions. and did nothing to dissuade me from either applying or carrying.

Was your actual experience with the process significantly different from mine? if so, please share.

[GlockUnCut]

Yup. Mine was different and that was last year. Before the larger influx of applicants.

Very interesting. Your actual milage does seem to vary!

[MajorCaliber]

Agreed. There seems to have been a YUUUGE change in attitude and while the written policy has not changed, the way it is interpreted and implemented has changed tremendously between last year and now. They were nothing but completely supportive with me, and my understanding is that in the past they did everything they could to discourage applicants. It used to be that they were looking for any reason to say "no" and now it seems like they are looking for reasons to say "yes".

[rice_man]

According go Sheriff Gore there have been 186 CCW applications in the first three months of this year. He does not say how many of those have gone completely through the process and have been issued but so far there have only been 6 denials. 2 of those were prohibited by the state and 3 did not pass background check. Not sure of the last one or if his math is off. So basically he makes it sound as if your application has gone through with a decent good cause statement, chances of approval are pretty good.

Source is an interview last week on KOGO radio with Carl DeMaio. CCW discussion starts at about 4:40

https://kogo.iheart.com/featured/the-demaio-report/content/2018-03-29-san-diego-sheriff-weighs-in-on-sanctuary-state-controversy-and-ccws/