Alameda

[BarneyBS]

Dang.. Is your livescan delayed? (you can check at https://applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov/ if you haven't already)

My livescan cleared according to this web(says completed on all 3) the week after my livescan. They havent cashed my check. It's been 3 weeks since the livescan appointment. Havent heard anything for next step

[RightCoastBiased]

[SilveradoColt21]

Just in time for summer, I probably won't see mine until winter .

[Gryff]

Alameda County CCW Psych Exam Update

Experience with the pysch exam someone posted today on Reddit (re-posted here with permission).

https://www.reddit.com/r/CAguns/comments/11dl6gj/alameda_county_ccw_psych_exam_update/

Alameda County CCW Psych Exam Update

Hi all,

I applied for a CCW the night of the Bruen decision and am ~120 in line. I just completed the county-mandated psych exam and wanted to provide an update as to what that involved.

• Two weeks ago I received an email asking me to schedule the exam and pay the fee. I opted to pay with PayPal via a credit card (rather than a bank account), and it cost about $155. I'm not sure if the extra $5 charge is a PayPal fee or not, but it probably is.
  
• The earliest appointment that worked for my schedule was two weeks in the future (read: today) so I booked it.
  
• All appointments are during business hours and require both internet access and several hours of time. I used a computer to complete the various online portions of the exam, not a phone, and so cannot comment on how feasible it would be to do things via phone. Doing them with a computer was straightforward and easy.
  
• A few days prior to the appointment I was asked to fill out a questionnaire that asked a variety of questions. This took perhaps 45 minutes or so.

• There were several asking about basic personal information, like name, address, phone number, etc.
  
• There were numerous factual yes/no questions, such as whether or not one currently or has previously used drugs, steroids, had anger management issues, a hot temper, psychological counseling, etc., but generally did not get into how the applicant thinks/feels about certain things.
  
• "Yes" answers required brief additional comments to provide detail.
  
• They asked about one's educational background (e.g. the year one graduated high school, college, grad school, etc., which schools one attended, etc.), prior military service and condition of discharge (honorable, other than honorable, etc.), any legal or criminal history (including traffic fines/infractions, dates, explanations, etc.) over one's life, etc. There were no issues with mentioning estimated dates if the exact date is not known (e.g., I don't remember the exact date I got a speeding ticket and paid the fine 15 years ago).
  
• Some of the questions are a big vague, like they ask if one has ever taken non-prescription substances. These questions are specifically asking if you've taken illicit drugs like cocaine, not ordinary over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen.

• Prior to the day of the exam you'll receive instructions and a link to the website. The website is similar to Zoom in that you can do a video/audio call with the examiner. On the day of the exam, the first person one speaks to when one connects is some sort of medical assistant who explains the process, then gives you a link to the next portion of the exam. One can then turn off the camera and microphone if desired for the next portion.
  
• The next portion is a 300+ question series of statements to which one answers with either true or false. Some of them are tricky with double-negatives, so read them carefully. The assistant is available via chat to answer questions one might have, but she may not be able to answer everything. There are no restrictions on using outside references (like looking up the definitions of words) during this time.

• Most of the statements are pretty clear and straightforward: "I often need to have a few drinks after work to relax.", "I sometimes see people, things, or animals in a room that other people do not see.", "I sometimes hear voices but cannot tell where they're coming from.", "Someone has control over my mind.", and so on.
  
• Some are a bit more philosophical, like "I do not always tell the truth." - are they simply asking if one is a habitual liar, or if one is always 100% completely honest in every situation ever, even situations where a polite "white lie" would be socially proper and acceptable?
  
• Some are a bit unclear, like "I believe in law enforcement." The existence of the police is factual, and not subject to one's beliefs. Are they asking if one supports law enforcement, or are they actually asking about whether one believes the police actually exist or not?
  
• This process tends to go reasonably quickly: I read very quickly and so finished in about 40 minutes, but it's not uncommon for people to take 2 hours.

• After completing the questionnaire, I informed the assistant via chat of my completion. I was told that I'd receive a phone call in the next hour or two for instructions on how to connect to the face-to-face video call with the doc. It took about an hour before they called back.
  
• I connected to the system and spoke with the doc for about 10-15 minutes. My camera and microphone were on for the duration of the face-to-face portion.

• She told me to remember three random words (e.g. "apple", "cup", and "table") and not write them down. She would periodically ask me to repeat those words back to her a few times during the session. She did not explain why.
  
• She asked how many guns I own, but did not inquire as to any additional details (e.g., she didn't ask how many handguns, rifles, etc., just total number).
  
• She asked if guns, gun ownership, 2A advocacy, etc. were a major and key portion of my identity. I replied that while they are a part of my identity and something that I believe to be important, they are but one part of my identity.
  
• She asked about my history with guns, and how frequently I used them. I replied that I used to target shoot more frequently and used to do some occasional competitions, but between life, kids, and other responsibilities over the last few years, I now only go to the range a few times a year.
  
• She asked if I was interested in applying for a CCW for any particular reason other than "they're now more widely available in the county", such as recent political issues, threats against me, etc. I replied that there was no particular reason other than general self-defense.
  
• She briefly reviewed the answers of interest from all the zillions of questions I had answered previously.

• As a personal example, I had mentioned in the questionnaire that during high school many moons ago my parents had very high academic expectations for me. During my rebellious teenage years I pushed back by slacking academically, which got me into some academic trouble. After some counseling at the time, my academics and relationship with my parents improved to the point where I now have a hard-science PhD. That seemed to present no issues with the doc.
  
• She disregarded my borderline-malicious-compliance answers to the first questionnaire: the question asked if I used steroids. I truthfully answered yes, and explained that I use a prescription corticosteroid cream as-needed for eczema. I answered "yes" to taking non-prescription substances and specifically listed ibuprofen as-needed for aches and pains. These answers were not brought up in the interview.
  
• (I say "borderline" because although the questions irked me and I was tempted to reply with snarky malicious compliance, the answers were truthful, and after all the probulation related to my security clearance I tend to err on the side of providing more details rather than less and letting them sort it out.)

• She asked what personality trait people like most about me.
  
• She asked what was a sure-fire way to make me upset. (In my case, people continuing to hold demonstrably false beliefs after being shown the errors of their position. She commented that politics must really upset me. I replied that it didn't quite upset me, since that's basically how it works and I know and accept that, but it certainly doesn't improve my calm.)
  
• She asked if I had previously been the victim of a crime. (After I mentioned I had my parked car broken into and the contents stolen when I lived in Arizona, she clarified that she was asking about crimes directly against my person, like mugging, assault, etc.)
  
• She asked me to briefly explain the meaning of the phrase "The grass isn't always greener on the other side." in my own words.
  
• She seemed satisfied with the responses and said she'd send her report to the county in the immediate future.

All in all, the process was tedious and inconvenient, but that's on the ACSO for having these requirements. As for the actual examination, the people involved were both pleasant and professional and the process went smoothly.

I hope this information proves helpful for people going through the process, and am happy to answer any questions people might have.

[sfo_shooter]

Experience with the pysch exam someone posted today on Reddit (re-posted here with permission).

https://www.reddit.com/r/CAguns/comm...h_exam_update/

Interesting. As agents of the ACSO, the Psychologists are not allowed to ask about how many guns you have or why you want the CCW or anything of the sort. Bruen applies to them as agents.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Interesting. As agents of the ACSO, the Psychologists are not allowed to ask about how many guns you have or why you want the CCW or anything of the sort. Bruen applies to them as agents.

I wasn't asked any of those firearms-related questions during my eval.

[NateTheNewbie]

I wasn't asked any of those firearms-related questions during my eval.

Interesting. I was asked all of them. Almost word-for-word.

[SilveradoColt21]

Interesting. I was asked all of them. Almost word-for-word.

That's odd, maybe it varies from person to person I guess??

[harrye]

Livescan & Check cashing update.
Class of 6/25 applicant.
Livescan on 2/11 completed 2/17.
Check cashed today, 2/28.
Waiting for message to schedule Psych eval.
YMMV.

[NateTheNewbie]

I'm a 6/25 Applicant, just got the note to proceed to qualification. [edit] Note that, as others have indicated, I was offered only a list of approved trainers - no ACSO dates.

[additional edit] It appears as though I received a unique message from Judea. I had already fulfilled my training via a 16 hour course; so I now only have to do a four hour qualification.

[gexpro]

Yep same here. 6/25 finished eval last week on Wednesday. Doc said no concerns. Waiting for hear to proceed onto qualifications.

[dugiepts66]

That's odd, maybe it varies from person to person I guess??

Guessing this is the legacy-to-new provider transition being realized.

[NateTheNewbie]

Guessing this is the legacy-to-new provider transition being realized.

[gexpro]

Just now got word to proceed to qualifications. I will be going through LEO Defensive Concepts. They seem to have a great reputation and logistically makes the most sense for me.

side note - the only fire arm related question I was asked during my psych eval was "do you participate in any activities with family or friends that involve firearms?" I answered simply and honest, Yes.. Hunting.

[ksharp]

Just now got word to proceed to qualifications. I will be going through LEO Defensive Concepts. They seem to have a great reputation and logistically makes the most sense for me.

side note - the only fire arm related question I was asked during my psych eval was "do you participate in any activities with family or friends that involve firearms?" I answered simply and honest, Yes.. Hunting.

Same, just got moved to the CCW course and qual. It seems that Alameda Co is farming out the range qualification to the course instructors. Does anyone know which classes include the qual?