San Benito

[Gray Peterson]

UPDATE (2015 Aug 08):

This from the Sheriff's CCW webpage (http://sbso.us/concealed-weapons-permits) (emphasis added):

The Sheriff’s Office is aware of the Peruta v. San Diego case recently heard in the Ninth Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals. We have evaluated the outcome and will continue to monitor the issue as it progresses. The standard of “good cause” varies from county to county, and recently has not been a roadblock to our applicants. Please continue to complete the full application packet to include your statement of good cause

[rdtompki]

I turned in my application today so we'll see how it goes. I listed one of our M&Ps on the DOJ form, but I'll hold off getting something smaller until I get confirmation that my "good cause" statement gets accepted. I've had a "boring" existence so it all depends on the criteria the Sheriff is applying.

If the threshold criteria requires a higher than normal threat environment then most of use are doomed CCW-wise. I'd wear a seatbelt even if the law didn't mandate same; heck, I wear a seatbelt on commercial flights all the time. I do so not because I fear and accident, but because it's common sense to mitigate against high consequence events when it takes so little effort.

Good luck to all with their applications in the queue.

[Paladin]

I turned in my application today so we'll see how it goes. I listed one of our M&Ps on the DOJ form, but I'll hold off getting something smaller until I get confirmation that my "good cause" statement gets accepted. I've had a "boring" existence so it all depends on the criteria the Sheriff is applying.

If the threshold criteria requires a higher than normal threat environment then most of use are doomed CCW-wise. I'd wear a seatbelt even if the law didn't mandate same; heck, I wear a seatbelt on commercial flights all the time. I do so not because I fear and accident, but because it's common sense to mitigate against high consequence events when it takes so little effort.

Good luck to all with their applications in the queue.

And good luck to you!

You sound like me: avoiding situations where trouble is likely to occur. I enjoy living a peaceful, low-drama, "boring" life!

Be sure to update us here on your progress.

[Accounting_mom]

Palladin: I used self defense plus I am on the road alone quite a bit, trips to remote areas and I have had some scary encounters while out there. No longer young and pretty, but a perceived "soft target" for the wackos, truck thieves or horse thieves nevertheless.

[rdtompki]

Anyone know if our county submits the DOJ application as soon as received? The reason I ask is that the FS M&P on my application is not what I would carry, but I don't want to buy a compact or sub-compact unless I know the Sheriff has accepted my "good cause". And I sure wouldn't want to take a CCW class with something I wasn't going to carry. (I do have a call into the CCW coordinator as well).

Update: Spoke with the CCW coordinator and no problem subsequently adding a gun. Just need to work the gun problem in time to put 1000 rounds down range before the CCW class which is probably 5 months from now. I'll also need to have the gun in hand in order to work up a practice load that is closer to factory; our steel challenge loads are very soft.
7/23/15 - Submitted App
7/28/15 - Received call to schedule interview (7/30). CCW coordinator sounds like a nice guy.
8/ 6/15 - Interview
8/ 7/15 - Livescan appointment - after which the wait begins
11/13/15- The wait continues.
12/15/15 - Contacted the IA. he initially said it's taking a while to hear back, but followed up and DOJ has no record of a Livescan request. turns out the Livescan computer at the local Jail is old and they sometimes have problem submitting Livescans. After two tries the computer has a nasty habit of deleting the data.
1/15/16 - redid the Livescan. Ive lost 5 months. At least this wasn't a DOJ conspiracy.
3/30/16 - Psychological test scheduled for 4/7/16 = DOJ background check ok, took 75 days. Progress!!!
4/7/16 - Took the test. About 540 questions. Finished in 1 hour
4/26/16 - Consult with psychologist. $150 poorer.
7/21/16 - got the call

[Accounting_mom]

rdtomki: i saw your post in another section asking about the three letters of reference required. Request letters from reputable people who can address your character, temperament and self-control honestly and favorably. Expect that they will be called and interviewed on the phone. Also expect that your spouse/family will be called and asked about your suitability, home gun storage practices, legal problems, etc. The two phone interviews I got feedback on were pretty informal and both parties enjoyed talking to the interviewer. Good luck.

[rdtompki]

Can those who have taken CCW training from one of the San Benito County listed individuals post their impressions in this thread? The forum dedicated to training is all over the place.

Actual training requirements appear to be minimal in terms of the firearm, itself, the legal aspects being foremost, but I was a bit surprised that one of the classes was 4 hours and 20 rounds.

[JRG351]

I took my CCW course from Dave Matthews. I highly recommend Dave he is very familiar with the San Benito CCW process.
The class i took ended up to be 9 hours which went fast, also Dave will not end the course or leave the range until everyone qualifies.
I checked the website http://www.firearmtraininginstitute.com/index.htm for classes and didn't see any scheduled.
Contact Dave (408-506-1884) to see if he has any classes planned.

[Accounting_mom]

CCW trainers for SBC

"Can those who have taken CCW training from one of the San Benito County listed individuals post their impressions in this thread? The forum dedicated to training is all over the place"

I took mine from Wayne Summers at Coyote Clays. It was a good experience. The qualifying required 50 rounds fired for each handgun you want to list on your permit, at varying distances with time limits. I don't recall the % accuracy required. Anyway I think this exceeds the Sheriff's minimum standards and I like that. It was fun and challenging.

I have taken other handgun classes from him too. He is low key, professional and very safety conscious.

[rdtompki]

I don't doubt there is a backlog and I'm sure the Sheriff's office is on a tight budget, but I'm wondering why we don't hear more from backlog members in this thread. Calguns.net is the go-to place for California gun owners and, specifically, this thread is the go-to place for those SB denizens in the CCW queue.

[rdtompki]

Course of fire - San Benito?

I believe our county is 20 or 30 rounds and I also believe the max distance is 15 yards. How many rounds and time per string at each distance? Assume this is done from the draw? How large is the scoring area, A-zone size?
Thanks,

[sf49ers68]

Hey guys. I applied for SBC CCW last week and I was able to do the Sheriffs interview when I dropped off the application. During "interview" the Sheriff goes through your application and has you sign several pages. When I filled out my reason for wanting a CCW I wrote to protect myself and family. Interviewer said that works but hinted that I should add more to it. Asked me if I like hunting and camping so I added that to my reason for wanting a CCW. I did my livescan fingerprints the next day at the county jail. I need to get a DMV driving record printout turned in which I plan on doing today. Sheriff said it has been taking around 6 months to get permit and they get about 80 applications per year. I will post updates through the process.

[rdtompki]

Sent an e-mail to Capt. Lamonica, listed as the IA POC on the SBC website, asking him if he had any info on the current DOJ cycle time. It's been four months for me which is not excessive, but doesn't hurt to ask. After all, how long does it take to find absolutely nothing. All DOJ has to do is call the Chinese and get a copy of the latest SF-86; they have everything. If they have hacked OPM, they certainly have hacked the CA DOJ. I'll post back what the good Captain has to say.

Final Status - Livescan computer dumped last August. I've redone the Livescan but lost 5 months.

[rdtompki]

Wife has applied for her CCW

Wife dropped the application off, had the interview and has the Livescan request in hand. Not bad for a day's work. Eventually, she'll need an appropriate handgun. She only has 9mm 1911s, a Kimber Pro Carry HD II in 38 Super and 9mm M&P. The ideal gun would be an alloy Commander 1911 in 9mm (or 45 ACP for that matter), but there is nothing on the roster. The Kimber is a nice gone (once it gets back from Kimber warranty land), but it's heavy. She has more than 25K rounds through her full-size 1911 so it's a platform with which she is very familiar.

[rdtompki]

I now have an appt. for psychological test on 4/7. Livescan+DOJ check took 75 days.
Update: actual exam approx. 15 minutes FWIW.