Los Angeles

[EJ1987]

Exactly right. Get your application all prepared along with all your other documents such as proof of residence, etc. and get ready to submit as soon as the decision is released.

Just mailed my application 6/2. I guess one year wait begins today

[MajorCaliber]

Thank you Major Caliber! I will park on the street outside beyond school grounds !

Well, I was certainly not suggesting that course of action, which strikes me as a pretty bad idea. I was just trying to let CCW holders know that they do not have to be concerned about passing by a school. For instance I live in a canyon area where it is physically impossible for me to get to or from my house without passing within 1,000 ft of a school.

[kearal7883@gmail.com]

Re-Elect Sheriff Alex Villanueva

[marcusrn]

Exactly right. Get your application all prepared along with all your other documents such as proof of residence, etc. and get ready to submit as soon as the decision is released.

Call for appt asap. SCOTUS opinion this month. What have you got to lose? Now you wait 9-12 months, post decision 3 yrs!

[marcusrn]

LA County has 2 or 3000 extant LTC out of 10,000,000 population. Get an appt before anything, then stategize over paperwork.

[strandrift]

Hi all, long-time lurker first-time poster. Now that I’m entering the final phase of this year-long process (and as a way to assuage my guilt from not contributing until now) I figured I’d share my experience and what I’ve learned along the way for the CCW Process in LA County. Much of what I’ve written here has been posted here in one form or another, this is primarily intended for more recent applicants who stumble across this page and don’t want to go digging older posts just yet.

First, my GC was light-red, business co-owner in what I’d currently consider (regrettably) an increasingly high-risk sector that receives multiple payments in cash on a daily basis. On my GC, I also included recreational-related pursuits as a secondary factor, but from what I’ve seen recently here and elsewhere, LASD’s decision process for me was 100% business-related. This conclusion was reached based on being contacted by LASD to provide additional documentation solely related to my business, and not the “light-green” rationale that was also provided in my GC.

My timeline went like this:

June 3, 2021: Delivered my app in-person to the Lawndale Station
June 15, 2021: Check cashed
January 27, 2022: Contacted by phone to schedule interview
February 8, 2022: Interview (Monterey Park), told to proceed to Live Scan
February 9, 2022: Live Scan performed, CA/FBI cleared
February 16, 2022: CCW Class Completed (VIP CCW), pending Range Qualification
March 30, 2022: Contacted by LASD (phone) to email additional documentation; submitted same day
April 12, 2022: Firearms Cleared (62 days)
May 5, 2022: Firearms Qualification/Shooting Proficiency completed at LAX Range
June 1, 2022: Contacted by LASD (phone) to Proceed to Training, received email shortly afterwards saying the same; emailed dox, submission confirmed via email. Contacted again shortly thereafter by LASD (phone), informed Make/Model needed to be corrected to match their system
June 3, 2022: Re-submitted updated dox (email) to CCW Unit
Still Pending: Call to Pick-Up, Pick-Up License

My opinions on the application process:

• Be meticulous in filling out the form and be honest in the information you provide, both on the application and during the interview. As others have said, send it directly to the Hall of Justice, don’t drop it off at a Station--this will only serve to delay an already very long process. Pay by personal check if they are still allowing this, as it may be something you have to prove in the future. Online banking will allow you to see when this occurs, keep a screenshot of the cashed check. That being said, I advise you to make a folder on your PC with copies/scans your application, Live Scan application, etc. and a record of your personal timeline.

• For your GC, provide only the information that will be helpful or necessary in substantiating why you need a CCW permit. It should be specific to your personal case and experience, and not along the lines of “crime is bad everywhere and I need to protect myself,” regardless of whether or not you feel this is valid. Have someone proof-read your statement before submitting.

• Be courteous, professional and succinct in all your communications with LASD, whether that be by phone, email or in-person. For the interview, dress business casual, or at the very least simply *not sloppy.* My interview process lasted about 20 minutes total and went like this: Deputy called my name and we walked to the interview room, making light conversation as this was right around the Super Bowl. After sitting down in the interview room, was point-blank asked why I’m applying for CCW, I emphasized the business concern. From there, we proceeded to go line-by-line with my application. Keep in mind, this may be the first time the interviewing Deputy is looking at your application. You will be prompted to re-answer direct questions regarding any propensity for, or history of, violence--whether there is a documented legal history or not. You will be asked about previous drug use and whether or not you have ever abused alcohol. You will be asked about any criminal legal history, whether successfully prosecuted or ultimately expunged, misdemeanor or felony. I advise you to be honest, though I admit I do not know exactly what is a deal-breaker. Some misdemeanors are more serious than others, there can be extenuating circumstances and time since the event in question can play a factor. You and I recognize this, and I know for a fact that LASD also recognizes this. Some people have claimed that if you are granted an interview, you are automatically told to proceed with Live Scan, though I do not know this for a fact.

• Complete your Live Scan as quickly as possible, as this is taking longer and longer. I was convinced mine was getting held up for some reason, as it took over 2 months for Firearms to completely clear. Keep track of your ATI number, you may be asked to provide it again.

• If you have the time and the financial means to go ahead and complete training, I suggest you go ahead and do it now. I looked into the approved options for this and ultimately decided on VIP CCW with Josh, and I’m very glad I did. The entire course, with the obvious exception of the Shooting Proficiency is conducted online via Zoom, so you can do it in the comfort of your home. Even though VIP CCW may cost marginally more than some of the other alternatives, this proved to be the best option for me. Gas prices being what they are these days, I’m fairly convinced any cost difference was ultimately minimal. Josh is a great instructor, and as a former LEO, brought insight and knowledge that I’m not sure other CCW instructors would have. I also found my personal interaction with him to be friendly, and all correspondence was responded to very promptly. There is, or at least was, a CalGuns discount code (all lowercase: calguns), I’m unsure if this is still being offered, but at the time it took $25 off the total price, bringing the total to $270 even, including the Range Qual; there was no additional charge for more than one handgun.

• Range qualifying at LAX Range was quick and fun, I’d definitely suggest getting some practice in beforehand, particularly if you are not a regular shooter or are newer to handguns. If you can, or if you already have multiple handguns, definitely put as many as you can (max 3) on your application, assuming they all make sense as a potential CCW. You never know what can happen: one needs to go to a gunsmith, one gets stolen, variety of size or calibers--it’s nice to have options. Make sure you know how to safely and comfortably handle any weapons you plant to qualify with, in addition to field stripping them--you will be assessed on both of these points.

All in all, my only regret on this entire process was not doing it sooner, as I’m sure many of you currently in earlier stages can likely relate. Waiting until June to drop off my app, from what I can tell, prolonged this from what could have been a 7 or 8 month process into what will ultimately be more than a year. Also, if I had completed my Live Scan in January when I was contacted to schedule the interview, it probably would have shaved at least a week or two off that wait time, as well.

My final piece of advice, DO NOT attempt to contact LASD for a status check. The unit in charge of this are under-staffed and over-worked as it is. If everyone is doing this, it will only serve to prolong everyone’s wait time and annoy the Deputies. There are multiple posts in this thread of people in the process that have provided information regarding when they applied and when they were contacted--use this as a guide to estimate what does or does not qualify as an abnormally long wait. For example, if you applied last Fall or Winter, don’t expect to be contacted for an interview until probably at least 8-10 months after you submitted. My understanding is that LASD is only now getting around to August and September applications. Just be patient and check back here often.

If any of you have additional questions regarding the process, I’m happy to provide any additional information to questions posted here, and would prefer to keep both your questions and my responses public for the benefit of all--no DMs please. Thanks to all who’ve shared their experience and expertise, and good luck!

[Paul49]

Call for appt asap. SCOTUS opinion this month. What have you got to lose? Now you wait 9-12 months, post decision 3 yrs!

You mentioned in two consecutive posts “calling for an appointment”.

That was how the LAPD did their process, but not the LASD. That was back in the day when LASD required applicants to present an LAPD rejection letter before they would accept your application. Then mid April 2021, LASD dropped that requirement and began accepting applications. Currently LASD accepts your application, then calls you for the interview.

However, if you believe SCOTUS will turn CA into “shall issue” then going back to LAPD might be a reasonable idea, since we know LASD is currently overwhelmed. LAPD may be even more understaffed though, since they have no reason to have any more than a skeleton crew at this point. When I called them in March 2021, they gave me an appointment in mid August. Then in April 2021 LASD allowed direct application, so my LAPD file was put on hold where it remains today.

[INDPNDT]

I dropped off my application about 2 weeks after you but it looks like each step after the check cashing was about 4 weeks behind you and now still waiting on the livescan to clear which is crazy (literally already have a CA COE and FFL). Livescan is currently at week 10. So that puts me about 6 weeks behind you. They are definitely majorly backlogged and to be totally honest, I think the state is delaying to see the outcome of the June 7 election.

[EDRB]

One thing i would slightly disagree on is Not contacting them, I reached out twice after prolonged period with no update, First time after 4 months after filing and lucky i did as the CCW unit had lost my GC statement and contact details and was waiting for me to contact them, second time 3 months after my interview prompted them to request additional document which i supplied the day after my interview but the deputy forgot to add to my file.

[strandrift]

I dropped off my application about 2 weeks after you but it looks like each step after the check cashing was about 4 weeks behind you and now still waiting on the livescan to clear which is crazy (literally already have a CA COE and FFL). Livescan is currently at week 10. So that puts me about 6 weeks behind you. They are definitely majorly backlogged and to be totally honest, I think the state is delaying to see the outcome of the June 7 election.

I hear that. It's seriously crazy, for each day delayed it just translates to an exponential amount in the end. I was kicking myself hard, seeing people that applied basically a month before me getting their permits in December and January. There is definitely something fishy going on with Live Scans specifically in regards to CCW. I applied for my COE/FFL03 in the meantime, almost purely out of spite/frustration with everything going on. My separate Live Scan for that was done on March 25, 2022 and the Firearms cleared April 26, 2022--so a month exactly, half the time my CCW Firearms took to clear. My COE was then issued that day via CFARS, and got the FFL03 by the first week of May...Like sure, great over all, but come onnnn.

[strandrift]

One thing i would slightly disagree on is Not contacting them, I reached out twice after prolonged period with no update, First time after 4 months after filing and lucky i did as the CCW unit had lost my GC statement and contact details and was waiting for me to contact them, second time 3 months after my interview prompted them to request additional document which i supplied the day after my interview but the deputy forgot to add to my file.

Dang, man that's tough, just going over your timeline. Definitely good thing you reached out, I guess there are no absolutes in this. If I'd been in your shoes, I hope I would've done the same thing. My inclusion of the "do not contact" was more due to having seen a lot more recent applicants, here on Calguns and elsewhere, basically not having done their homework on wait times and expressing frustration that they submitted their app 3 months ago and haven't been called yet. Anyways, hope it all works out for you in the end.

[INDPNDT]

I hear that. It's seriously crazy, for each day delayed it just translates to an exponential amount in the end. I was kicking myself hard, seeing people that applied basically a month before me getting their permits in December and January. There is definitely something fishy going on with Live Scans specifically in regards to CCW. I applied for my COE/FFL03 in the meantime, almost purely out of spite/frustration with everything going on. My separate Live Scan for that was done on March 25, 2022 and the Firearms cleared April 26, 2022--so a month exactly, half the time my CCW Firearms took to clear. My COE was then issued that day via CFARS, and got the FFL03 by the first week of May...Like sure, great over all, but come onnnn.

Basically the same except I got my COE/FFL03 a couple years ago to get ammo shipped to my front door! I just had to renew and it was extremely fast considering everything. The CCW firearm check waiting time is a bit ridiculous. Just have to sit back and wait in the meantime.

[EDRB]

Fingers crossed for pick up calls this week and don't forget to vote for Sheriff Alex Villanueva tomorrow

[Glockster818]

Goodluck to everyone receiving any calls/emails this week! Don't forget to vote.

[KB3]

Just received my call to pickup, scheduled for Wednesday in Monterey Park. THE END IS NEAR! Hope more calls roll in for everyone else