San Mateo

[sabertactics]

Any handgun registered to you should be fine as long as the caliber is a 380 or larger (per SMSO requirements).

[Chris1]

No restriction on that. Have a 320 and 365 on the license.

[calif 15-22]

[tr/328]

I sent my qualification to Jennifer Valdez on December 10 and still waiting for a pickup probably delayed cause of the holidays season.

You should probably give her a call. Normally she gets back to you within 2-3 days. I sent mine in after you and got a reply 3 days later for appointment to pickup.

[Daashbringer]

I sent my qualification to Jennifer Valdez on December 10 and still waiting for a pickup probably delayed cause of the holidays season.

[Bnzfixr]

Applied 7/16 and approved 12/19.

[tr/328]

It may take a little time, but the system is working in San Mateo County. Start to finish took 5 months and 19 days. As time goes on and less people apply, it should be easier for the Sheriff's office to keep up with processing applications. They seem to be moving as quickly as they can.

[DJD100]

Seconded!

[SandHill]

We have it god in SMC

I know many are still waiting to get their CCW’s in SMC. I would just like to take a moment to point out that we are fortunate in having a sheriff’s office that is making an effort to comply with Bruen and get people qualified.

I sent Jennifer Valdez a Christmas card. Really wanted to send chocolates or a gift card, but wasn’t sure about de minimus exception to pay-to-play rules. We should all thank her, and the rest of the SMC SO!

[Chris1]

Anyone know the average turnover time once we send in our qualification to Jennifer to getting your ID?

About 2-3 days

[unusedusername]

Are they using the Sacramento qual instead of the San Mateo qual for San Mateo county permits, or did they also have you shoot the San Mateo qual?

[aegisol]

I was approved last week and arranged for training with Bay Area Tactical Group. The classroom portion is held separately from the shooting. They have you do more than the normal San Mateo CCW test which is honestly very easy for anyone who shoots regularly. Actually, I don't even shoot regularly, maybe once or twice a month at best, and it was easy. You will shoot under timer and the maximum distance is 15 yards. You shoot a total of fifty rounds at various distances and times. 80% to pass. You could miss the entire 15-yard sequence (6 shots, slow fire) and still have plenty of room for error.

Training and the test took place past the East Bay at their private facility, which is really, really nice. Lots of land, lots of different spaces set up for pistol, rifle, shotgun, and long range. They built a house, have solar, a well, wifi, and anything else you could want for being up in the mountains. Being December, it was cold in the shade, but warm in the sun, so bring layers. You should either be comfortable with driving or prepare to carpool with one of the other people taking the test. We met at a common parking lot and then went to the facility. Two guys had normal sedans and no problems getting to the facility. Bring some boots or shoes you don't mind getting dirty, especially if it has rained anytime recently. Since it was cold and in the mountains not everything had completely dried when we were there.

My class was taught by Alan, who is USMC. If you're not too confident, he will give you extra tips on shooting and more opportunities to do shooting drills. He'll also point out any deficiencies he notices in terms of your draw stroke and gun handling. He'll be dishing out a lot of jokes too. Class was fun and more of a formality since everyone knew what they were doing, which he assessed at the beginning. They fed us steak, roasted veggies, and potatoes for lunch (wash your hands and face, obviously). We then did the actual test and that was the end of the day.

I would say bring 150-200 rounds for the drills depending on how much you want to shoot, and then another 50 per gun you are using to qualify with. We shot from concealment so you will be clearing whatever cover garments you are using. Some guys shot AIWB, some did OWB four-o-clock. Do some draws using a timer (even your phone on a countdown would work) just so you get used to that. Shooting is one thing and shooting on the clock is another.

All in all, a great time, and perfectly timed for me since I wanted to get my license in hand ASAP.

Applied 6/28/22
Approval 12/13/22

[NorCalBusa]

Maybe. Or the SO can just allow more guns on permit, charge less, and assign more processors so the process can be faster (they already allow RDS).

I think SMCSO is on a good trajectory right now all things considered.

While the new boss is in the building, she ain't yet behind the big desk- I'm hopeful but let's wait and see:

1.) what in-office views and actions manifest
2.) her level or urgency in fixing the backlog of a constitutional responsibility

[Paladin]

Maybe. Or the SO can just allow more guns on permit, charge less, and assign more processors so the process can be faster (they already allow RDS).

Or they can do both.

I think SMCSO is on a good trajectory right now all things considered.

Agreed.

[evdrip]

Maybe. Or the SO can just allow more guns on permit, charge less, and assign more processors so the process can be faster (they already allow RDS).

I think SMCSO is on a good trajectory right now all things considered.